Take a Hike

BY PAMELA WRIGHT

HEAD TO BURLINGTON, VERMONT, FOR AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE WITH TRAILS TO FIT EVERY ABILITY LEVEL.

With warning signs like “Bear Crossing” and “Moose Crossing” along the roadway, you might think you were deep in the wilderness. Truth is, you’re on I-89, approaching Burlington, Vermont’s largest city.

Set on the shores of vast Lake Champlain—once officially the sixth Great Lake—this ultra-hip college town is surrounded by forests and farmland. Rising in the distance are the peaks of the Adirondacks across the lake in New York and Vermont’s own Green Mountains.

Island Line TrailWith opportunities for skiing, sailing and even wreck-diving, it’s no wonder Burlington, home to the University of Vermont, is consistently lauded as one of the best places for outdoor lovers in the US.

All you need is a pair of hiking boots to enjoy this open-air playground. The gorgeous green countryside surrounding Burlington is crisscrossed with some of the finest hiking trails in the east. Whether it’s an afternoon stroll around the lake, a family hike or a huff -and-puff climb to a bare mountain summit, it’s all here. The following hikes are summertime must-dos—so putt on your boots, bring your camera and get ready to hit the trails.

EASY
Island Line Trail A great way to take in the beauty that is Lake Champlain (and possibly sight Champy, the local version of the Loch Ness monster) is a walk along the 12-mile Island Line Trail. Th is former rail bed, last used by trains in 1963, is now a paved, multiuse trail that runs along Burlington’s waterfront, and even shoots 3 miles into the middle of the lake via the Colchester Causeway.

It might be a bit much to do all at once, but it’s rewarding to walk even a portion of it and revel in views of the shimmering lake and green peaks of the Adirondacks just beyond. there are various trailheads, so you can pick it up at Oakledge Park, Union Station, North Beach, Leddy Park (all in Burlington) and Airport Park in Colchester.

MEDIUM
Stowe Pinnacle East of Burlington, Stowe is best known for its world-class skiing, but it also has scenic hiking trails, ranging from mild to wild. The 2.8-mile Stowe Pinnacle Trail, with a vertical rise of 1,520 feet, is somewhere in the middle. It gives you a workout, but it’s fairly short, making it a favorite of active families. the trail zigs and zags through woodlands and up rock steps to the open, craggy summit, where you can take in views of the Waterbury Reservoir, Worcester Mountain Range, the Green Mountains (including Mt. Mansfield, the state’s tallest peak), Jay Peak and Stowe village, nestled in the valley. When you get to the top, dig into your backpack for some treats—maybe cider donuts from Cold Hollow Cider Mill, chipotle cheddar from the Cabot Annex or truffles from the Green Mountain Chocolate Company, which you’ll pass on your way to the trailhead, located off VT 100.

Camel’s HumpHARD
Camel’s Hump If you want to impress a Vermonter, casually mention you’ve done Camel’s Hump. This challenging, daylong hike takes you to a 4,083-foot, treeless summit of rare alpine vegetation, with dazzling views as far as the white caps of New Hampshire’s Presidential Range, the Green Mountains, Mt. Marcy and Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks, and Lake Champlain. One of several routes to the summit, the picturesque Monroe/Dean/Long Trail loop is 7.4 miles long, with a vertical rise of 2,645 feet. Sights include beaver ponds, streams and mega-sized boulders, withenough tempting peeks at the summit (and some patches of wild blueberries) to keep you going as you climb to the cone. Start early, and make sure you’re up for it. It’s a strenuous hike, with some hairy parts, including steep ledge climbs past a rock face—but the summit views are worth it.

BURLINGTON’S BEST BETS

Yes, the hiking is spectacular, but you should stick around long enough to enjoy this cool city on the west side of New England. Check out Church Street Marketplace (www.churchstmarketplace.com), a pedestrian-only area lined with shops and eateries. For French bistro-style dining, try Leunig’s Bistro (www.leunigsbistro.com; 802-863-3759), and if you’re craving Asian, wander over to A Single Pebble Restaurant (www.asinglepebble.com; 802-865-5200), featuring gourmet Chinese food served family-style. Since this is a college town, there are entertainment options galore, but the main attraction is the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts (www.flynncenter.org), home to the 1,453-seat Art Deco theater and a smaller black box space, hosting more than 100 live performances annually.