Green Mountain Magic: The Long Trail at the Mountain Top Inn & Resort

The Mountain Top Inn & Resort is a paradise for hikers. Our trail network offers adventures for every skill level and every inclination, whether you’re looking for a leisurely afternoon stroll or a daylong backcountry adventure.

A State Treasure: The Long Trail

One of the most magical things about our property is the access it provides to the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States: the fabled Long Trail. This 273-mile route—contiguous with the Appalachian Trail in its southern portion—traces the spine of the Green Mountains between the Massachusetts and Canada borders, providing the state’s most epic opportunity for outdoor recreation and some of the most sublime scenery in all of New England.

The Long Trail was born in 1910 thanks to the vision of James P. Taylor and the newly established Green Mountain Club (GMC), which still oversees the great trace. From beginning installation near the famous peaks of Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield (highest in the state), the GMC completed the final section to the Canadian line in 1930.

Green Mountain Rambling

With summer bearing down fast, it’ll soon be prime season for trekking the Long Trail. You can access the trail via spur routes from the Mountain Top Inn & Resort or a quick drive from the property. Stop in at the Activity Center for directions and tips!

Tackling our local section of the Long Trail in a day hike is a great way to introduce yourself to this venerable path. You might pass a thru-hiker, someone who’s traversing the full length and overnighting in lean-tos, cabins, or tents. Meanwhile, you get to cap your Long Trail ramble with dinner at the Highlands Dining Room or a craft brew at the Mountain Top Tavern! (Maybe you’ll even sip one of the concoctions of homegrown Long Trail Brewing Company, named for the path…)

Here at the Mountain Top, we’re proud to lie along the mighty trace of the Long Trail, one of the great landmarks of Vermont. We heartily invite you to slip on those hiking boots and go out and explore the stunning Green Mountain coves and ridgelines that provide the unmatched context for our resort! And don’t forget to tip your hat to the farsighted and hard-working Green Mountain Club as you do.