Mt Ascutney

Well, this place is basically my backyard for now. So, I spend a lot of time here. The view of the mountain is always dynamic and awe inspiring. So if you stay around the area it is well worth the views. Also there are a few ways to explore it. You can drive to the top for 5 dollars and hike for about 40 mins to the summit. There is a tower you can climb that will give you incredible views. You can see for about 50 miles out on a clear day. If you don’t want to pay the 5 dollars you can hike in on some of the trails at the bottom of the mountain. It’s about 3 hours up and a few hours down. So bring necessary gear for the trip! Well worth it either way you decide to go. Have fun!

There are four trails to the summit of Mt. Ascutney, each offers a significantly different hiking experience. The easiest is the Weathersfield trail--shorter and less steep, it features several long zig zags up Ascutney's northern slope which last much of the way to the summit(and even traverses downward at one point) --near the top of the trail, the path has a steeper incline and features a steep stretch of over boulders hiking. This hike takes about 2.5 hours to top in good weather. The steepest trail but not the longest, the Windsor trail (south side of Mt Ascutney and not far from the Brownsville trail) is the shortest at 2.7 miles and makes for a more tough climb most of the way--but still very hikable--water and a snack would be wise. The hike takes 3 to 3.25 hours. It is not exceptionally beautiful, but it is challenging for those who prefer that in a hike. There are several paths to views before reaching the most amazing rock formation along this trail--a stone grotto (walls on both sides, wide flat bottom) of sorts and a path snakes through it as an off shoot to the Weatherfield trail. The Brownsville trail, most beautiful of the three mentioned, winds it's way up the south east side of Ascutney past a granite quarry, over rock stairs, past walls of boulders covered in ferns and moss. The Brownsville trail is up close and personal for those who want to see nature up close. There are views to the east too; from the quarry and nearer the top before the summit, a path can be taken to a outcrop of massive boulders with deep fissures--the view is of the northeast mountains of Vermont and NH. The Brownsville trail and Weathersfield trail meet up near the summit at an old (now demolished) stone hut site. The rest of the walk is a cinch as it is a near flat path to the look out tower. The main road and trails associated with it is the longest way to the top. The road snakes up the mountain and it takes about 15 minutes or more to reach the viewing area (not the summit). This is a state run park, closed between mid October to mid May. The trails however are frequented daily, in all seasons by fans of the mountain, hiking enthusiasts. You are likely to pass someone if you hike at Ascutney, but it is rarely crowded. A 360 expansive view from the summit is obtained only from the observation tower. It is not necessarily open when the park is closed for the season.

We had never been to this area of Vermont and were so glad we went at Christmas. Vermont is a beautiful state and this area is absolutely gorgeous.

The Summit Trail was a very beautiful and easy hike, with a bit of climbing. The observation tower at the top was icing on the cake; we could see beautiful peaks in the distance and the valleys and farmland in between.

Nice easy summit to climb, had perfect weather and skies to see all around. $4 per person to enter. Ranger was at the top to give out info on the mountain.

I went here with my friend after I got fired it was the best one I've had in a while I would recommend anyone to go 10/10 place and state

My first 14er. Harrowing trip up. My friend left the oxygen at home. His mummified body will mark the path for future hikers. I was the only survivor. Restrooms were clean. Overall, 5 stars.

well kept campsites, good area for biking, great view accessible by car or hiking trails at the peak