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Long Trail

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This information is a public record of the 1986 NRT application and may be out of date if it has not been updated by a trail manager --
check with the trail manager for updated details before visiting.

Long Trail

USDA Forest Service Backcountry Trail
  • Length
    54 miles
  • Elevation Gain
    --
  • Route Type
    out & back
 (1 review)

The entire trail runs from MA border to Canadian border through the Green Mountains. The NRT section is from Mt. Ellen to Killington Peak, SW of Montpelier.

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Shelter. Photo by Janie Walker
Shelter. Photo by Janie Walker
Trail
Trail
On Mt Abraham
On Mt Abraham
The view of Mansfield's summit from the Long Trail. Photo by Calzarette/wiki.
The view of Mansfield's summit from the Long Trail. Photo by Calzarette/wiki.
Little Rock Pond from the Long Trail. Photo by Omarcheeseboro/wiki.
Little Rock Pond from the Long Trail. Photo by Omarcheeseboro/wiki.
View of Camels Hump from Long Trail. Photo by Broken Images/wiki.
View of Camels Hump from Long Trail. Photo by Broken Images/wiki.
  • Shelter. Photo by Janie Walker
  • Shelter. Photo by Janie Walker
  • Trail
  • On Mt Abraham
  • The view of Mansfield's summit from the Long Trail. Photo by Calzarette/wiki.
  • Little Rock Pond from the Long Trail. Photo by Omarcheeseboro/wiki.
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Location: Green Mountain-Finger Lakes National Forest

  • States: Vermont
  • Counties: Rutland, Addison, Washington

Primitive footpath running through Green Mountain Forest, in varied natural and cultural conditions - wild, scenic, wooded, pastoral. Favors the heights of land.

Accessibility Information

No text provided.

Reviews

Janie Walker
Janie Walker
Sep 18, 2023
Hike the whole thing if you can

The Long Trail is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the USA and was the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail. This is a backcountry trail within Vermont’s wilderness. I had hoped to backpack the whole thing this month, but my elderly cat is not long for this world so I decided to just day hike the NRT portion in five sections so as not to be gone too long or too often for my feline. I have hiked other, more northern parts of the Long Trail during previous adventures. The NRT section is a green tunnel with relatively few viewpoints compared with the Long Trail north of Appalachian Gap. Except for a small scramble up Mt Abraham, the terrain is fairly straightforward. Lots of shelters along the way with privies and tenting spots. Reliable streams throughout. The FarOut app (formerly Guthooks) is helpful. I am giving the trail five stars, though I am curious as to why the NRT section does not incorporate miles farther north which would give the hiker more spectacular and consistent views along with more scrambles and interesting terrain. Sept 2023

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Allowed Uses:

Hiking/Walking Snow, cross-country skiing Snow, snowshoeing

Other Activities

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Snow, snow play general
  • Wildlife viewing / observation

Public Contact

Green Mountain-Finger Lakes National Forest
231 N. Main
Rutland, VT 5701
(802) 747-6700
www.fs.usda.gov/main/gmfl/home
 Go to the trail manager's website

More Details

  • Elevation (low): 1800
  • Elevation (high): 4083
  • Elevation (cumulative): --
  • Part of a Trail System? No
  • Surface (primary): Soil
  • Surfaces (additional): --
  • Tread Width (average): 18"
  • Tread Width (minimum): --
  • Running length (minimum): --
  • Tread Grade (average, percent): 15
  • Tread Grade (maximum): 30
  • Running length (maximum): --
  • Cross-slope (average, percent): --
  • Cross-slope (maximum): --
  • Running length (maximum): --
  • Certified as an NRT
    Oct 14, 1986
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