Hiking/Trail Running

The Ascutney Outdoors Center is the gateway to some of the best hiking trails in Vermont.  The trail network right around the AOC is a great option for shorter trips, whether a fun family adventure, a stroll in the woods, or a scenic trail run.  The trails are shared with mountain bikers and are clearly marked.  Biking trail Maps are posted at the AOC and other major trail heads.

Ascutney Outdoors Trail

The Ascutney Outdoors Center is also the starting point for the aptly named the Ascutney Outdoors Trail – click the adjacent map for a larger view.  The trail goes to the top of the old triple chair lift and offers open vistas and spectacular views all along the way – just follow the yellow markers.  If you are looking for a shorter hike, we recommend going to the ‘picnic table’, about a half mile up from the AOC.  This stopping point offers panoramic views of Brownsville and the surrounding countryside.  If you want a longer hike, go all the way up to the top of the trail (some steeps) and take in the views all the way to the White Mountains.  This hike is about 1.5 miles long and has an elevation gain of nearly 1,500 feet.

The Ascutney Outdoors Trail will soon connect to the Town’s Bicentennial Trail and State Park trails.  The mountain features five principal, summit-bound hiking trails, three of which are named for the town from which that trail originates.  The State Park publishes this map showing the Summit Trails on Mt Ascutney and other useful information.

Discovery Trail

Ascutney Outdoors newest offering is the ‘Discovery Trail’, an interpretive walking trail starting and ending at the Ascutney Outdoors Center.  The roughly one-mile loop includes stops with panels that engage visitors to understand and explore the natural and human history of the area.  The trail is an extension of our programs and will attract many families, school children, and visitors to the mountain.

The plan’s interactive features and panels were professionally designed and paid for through a grant from the National Park Service’ Rivers & Trails Program.  The funding was  provided by a grant from the State of Vermont’s Recreational Facilities Grant and a number of foundations who are long-time supporters of Ascutney Outdoors’ community programs.

Mountainside Drive Trailhead

Another existing hiking option includes departing from the Mountainside Drive trailhead for a stroll up the expansive Mile Long Field and easy access to the central section of the trails network. The Town Forest trail head provides an extensive trail network wandering up, around, and through a variety of different environments highlighting the natural beauty of Vermont.

Visit our Locations page for more information and directions to each trail-head.