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- Mount Mansfield (Stowe) — Vermont’s highest peak and home to the jagged “Chin” skyline that people draw on postcards. Hike the Long Trail or take the scenic gondola for alpine tundra views you won’t find in most of New England; the summit ridge feels more wild than the crowded ski-town photos suggest.
- Camel’s Hump — That unmistakable three-peaked mountain rising out of the valley is a Vermont icon for a reason. Trails wind through spruce-fir forest into open meadows with sweeping views; it’s rugged without being technical, and the hike gives you the classic Green Mountain silhouette up close.
- Lake Willoughby / Willoughby State Forest — Hidden gem: a fjord-like lake flanked by sheer cliffs (West and East Mountains). Brilliant for swimming, cliff-scrambling, and quiet paddles; it’s spectacular
- Mount Mansfield (Stowe) — Vermont’s highest peak and home to the jagged “Chin” skyline that people draw on postcards. Hike the Long Trail or take the scenic gondola for alpine tundra views you won’t find in most of New England; the summit ridge feels more wild than the crowded ski-town photos suggest.
- Camel’s Hump — That unmistakable three-peaked mountain rising out of the valley is a Vermont icon for a reason. Trails wind through spruce-fir forest into open meadows with sweeping views; it’s rugged without being technical, and the hike gives you the classic Green Mountain silhouette up close.
- Lake Willoughby / Willoughby State Forest — Hidden gem: a fjord-like lake flanked by sheer cliffs (West and East Mountains). Brilliant for swimming, cliff-scrambling, and quiet paddles; it’s spectacular and still feels like a local secret on weekdays. Personal favorite — the light over the lake at dawn is worth the early alarm.
- Lake Champlain waterfront & Burlington’s Church Street — The city’s waterfront parks, bike path, and lively Church Street Marketplace give you fresh lake air, craft beer culture, and street performers in a small-city package. Farmers’ market Saturdays and sunset views to the Adirondacks make it uniquely Vermont-y.
- Quechee Gorge — Vermont’s “little Grand Canyon”: a short, dramatic walk to the rim and a handful of cliffside vantage points that reveal glacial geology and a powerful river. It’s easy to pair with local craft food stops, but the gorge itself is the main natural show.
- Smugglers’ Notch & the Notch Road — Steep, narrow passages and funky rock formations make this pass a dramatic drive or bike ride. In summer there are hidden hiking trails and in winter the surrounding valley is full of old-school ski lore; the geology and narrowness of the road feel distinctively Vermonter than your average mountain pass.
- Kingdom Trails (East Burke) — Hidden gem for mountain-biking and hiking: an enormous, well-maintained network of trails through working farms and forests. Local riders built and steward these routes; bring a map and a lunch, because you could easily spend the day jumping from trail to trail without seeing many tourists.
- Woodstock Village & Taftsville Covered Bridge — A picture-perfect Vermont village with white-steepled churches, working farms nearby, and old covered bridges that make for great photo stops and easy walks. Woodstock manages to be historic without feeling like a staged set — the farmers and local shops keep it real.
- Maple sugaring at a family sugarhouse — Hidden gem: visit in late winter/early spring to watch sap boil, taste fresh syrup, and learn the small-scale craft that shapes a lot of Vermont culture. Skip the big commercial tours and try a local family sugarhouse for pancakes, smoky stacks of wood, and stories that don’t come on a brochure.
- Mad River Valley & Mad River Glen — The Valley is classic Vermont farm-and-forest country with great local food, breweries, and small-town arts; Mad River Glen ski area nearby keeps an old-school, community-run vibe (single chairlift, lots of character). Visit for cross-season outdoor fun and a taste of how locals recreate.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
Burlington Signature Guided Brewery Tour
Small Group Tour in Stowe, Vermont
Vermont RT 100 App-Guided Driving Audio Tour
Public Daytime Sailing Cruise
Zipline Canopy Tour- ArborTrek at Smugglers Notch Resort
Small Group Tour in Montpelier & Mad River Valley, Vermont
Public Sunset Sailing Cruise on Lake Champlain
Small Group 5-Day Tour Vacation Package in Vermont
Mindful Forest Escape: Rebalance, reflect and connect
Best Backpacking
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.