The Long Trail
Leading the Pack
Hiking the Long Trail
The Long Trail is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the U.S., spanning 272 miles that run the length of Vermont continuously from the Massachusetts border to the Canadian border. The Green Mountain Club built it more than 100 years ago and maintains it to this day, along with Vermont’s portion of the Appalachian Trail and the Kingdom Heritage Trails.
The Oldest Trail
Vermont’s 272-mile Long Trail, located on ancestral Abenaki land and stewarded by the Green Mountain Club, traverses a wide range of landscapes from the Massachusetts border to the Canada border. In a 2022 partnership with Outdoor Gear Exchange, 20 teams of hikers passed a flag in a relay along the trail. Go along on their journey and learn about the trail that forms the backbone of Vermont.
Bunk Down on the Trail
Overnight Sites
There are nearly six dozen Long Trail overnight sites spaced no more than a moderate day’s hike apart, from tent platforms to shelters and lodges.
Related Content
Mud Season Hiking
It’s best to wait until after Memorial Day to start your Long Trail adventure to give the trail time to firm up after snowmelt.
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Here’s how to protect fragile alpine areas and Vermont’s ecosystem as you hike.
Read More about Leave No TraceLearn MoreHow the Long Trail is Maintained
Discover what goes into maintaining the Long Trail; read about a day in the life of a Long Trail patrol crew.
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How to Keep Yourself Safe From Vermont’s Wildlife
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Vermont Women are Trailblazers
Women’s History on the Long Trail
In 1927, the first trio of women through-hiked Vermont’s Long Trail, kicking off almost 100 years of women’s history on the trail. Inside, meet the Three Musketeers, the first female president of the Green Mountain Club, and more trailblazing women.
Green Mountain Club
Green Mountain Club is the go-to source for hiking information in Vermont, with maps, guidebooks, and expert advice to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s an easy afternoon jaunt or an “End-to-End” through-hike of the entire trail.
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