Long Trail
America’s oldest long-distance hiking trail through Vermont’s Green Mountains.
Route overview
A north-south trail through Vermont’s Green Mountains.
The Long Trail runs the length of Vermont through the Green Mountains. It includes forests, ridgelines, shelters, muddy sections and classic northeastern hiking terrain.
Trail facts
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Vermont
- Distance
- 439 km
- Typical duration
- 20–30 days
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Elevation gain
- Varies
- Best season
- June–October
- Trail type
- Long-distance point-to-point
Access and logistics
- Permits and access
- No general thru-hike permit is normally required, but local camping and shelter rules apply.
- Bookings
- Shelters exist along the route, but space and conditions can vary.
Safety context
Mud, roots, steep climbs and wet weather can slow progress significantly.
The trail can be slower and tougher than expected because of steep, rough terrain.
Typical itinerary
Most thru-hikers take 20 to 30 days, though sections are popular.
Highlights
Green Mountains, shelters, forests, ridgelines, classic New England hiking.
Why find a buddy
The Long Trail is a good buddy route for hikers who want company through muddy, rugged and remote sections.
Explore and prepare
Discover hikes by intent, read the hiking guides, review hiking safety, prepare a BuddyPack, or browse hiking plans.
Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.