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Established in 1945 on 63 acres along Lake Dunmore, Branbury State Park lies along the 2,000-foot peaks that mark the western edge of the Green Mountain chain. Though Vermont's higher peaks top 4,000 feet, as you quickly discover here, elevation isn't everything when it comes to hiking.
 Only a brief walk from the park's spacious green lawns and lean-tos, you'll find one of the state's outstanding natural features, the Falls of Lana. Here, water from Sucker Brook cascades in steps down stone sluiceways and boulders that are shaded by towering pines and hardwoods. It's an elegiac spot, with sun-dappled glens perfect for picnics, for dipping your feet in the water, or for exploring (carefully) upstream along the rocks.
The falls are just an appetizer, though. The next course could be the hour-long 1.5 mile trip up the gravel path to Silver Lake, 1,250 feet high, and on the gentle 2.5 mile interpretive trail around the remote tranquil lake. There are several spots to take a refreshing dip and sunbathe. From Silver Lake, even more trails lead out into the stretch of national forestlands named Moosalamoo (also the haunt of mountain bikers).
A journey to Rattlesnake Cliffs is about an hour up a trail that is steeper than the one to Silver Lake. For the not faint of heart, continuing on further to the top of 2,650-foot Mt. Moosalamoo, or beyond, provides hiking on seven rugged miles along Oak Ridge to Rt. 125 below Middlebury Gap.
INFORMATION
Branbury State Park has a maple-lined 1,000 foot sandy beach on Lake Dunmore, with 17 grassy tent sites on the lake and 26 quiet camping sites in woods across Rt. 53. There are boat rentals, excellent fishing, a playground, concession stand and nature museum, and many attractions nearby in Middlebury.
A free guide to the national forest details all the day hikes. Open mid-May through Columbus day, 802-247-5925 (summer) or 800-658-1622.
Other state parks good for hiking: Underhill, Woodford, Gifford Woods, New Discovery, Stillwater and Smuggler's Notch.
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