If you are booking a Stowe trip for fall foliage, you should plan at least one hike during the week. Trails here run the full range from short waterfall walks to full-day summit climbs, and they all look their best under the October canopy. Below are five of our top picks for hiking in Stowe, VT, sorted so you can match a trail to your group’s energy on the day.

When to Hike in Stowe and What to Expect on the Trails

Fall foliage in Stowe usually peaks between the last week of September and the second week of October, though timing shifts year to year based on temperature and rainfall. Trails are dry, temperatures typically run 45 to 65 degrees on the mountain, and days are still long enough for a hike. A few things to keep in mind before you head out:

  • Layer up. Summits can be 15 to 20 degrees colder and windier than the trailhead
  • Start early on weekends. Popular trailhead lots fill by mid-morning during peak foliage
  • Bring traction. Frost and icy patches can show up above 3,000 feet by mid-October
  • Check trail status. Some trails close during mud season and after heavy rain

Hike to Vermont’s Highest Peak on the Mount Mansfield Trail

Mount Mansfield is the tallest mountain in Vermont at 4,393 feet. The loop trail from Underhill State Park is the classic way to bag both of its summits (The Nose and The Chin) in one hike. Expect exposed alpine rock along the ridge, hand-over-hand scrambles in a few sections, and 360-degree views across the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain, and into New Hampshire.

This is a full-day hike and not for beginners. Plan on 5 to 8 hours, depending on your pace, bring plenty of water, and start no later than mid-morning. The last descent is steep and slow, so leave enough daylight for it.

  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Length: 7.6 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 2,880 feet
  • Trail Map

Experience One of Stowe’s Most Popular Waterfall Hikes at Moss Glen Falls

Moss Glen Falls is a short walk to an 85-foot cascade, Vermont’s tallest waterfall. The path is a mix of wooden boardwalks over wetlands and a short, steep incline to the upper viewpoint. It is one of the easiest Stowe hiking trails on this list and a favorite for families, older visitors, and anyone wanting a big payoff without a full day of hiking. Pair it with a stop for cider donuts nearby to round out a low-effort afternoon.

  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Length: 0.5 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 55 feet
  • Trail Map

Explore Panoramic Views from the Stowe Pinnacle Trail

Stowe Pinnacle is a bald rocky knob in the Worcester Range with sweeping views of Mount Mansfield, Mount Hunger, Camel’s Hump, and the Green Mountains stretching south. The trail is steep, especially in the last half mile with stone-step scrambles, but the climb tops out fast. This is one of the best sunset hikes in the area if you can time it right; bring a headlamp for the descent. The trail closes during mud season and is best hiked between Memorial Day and mid-October.

  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Length: 3.3 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 1,564 feet
  • Trail Map

Discover Alpine Lakes and Mountain Scenery on the Sterling Pond Trail

Sterling Pond is a spring-fed alpine tarn tucked between Spruce Peak and Madonna Peak, at over 3,000 feet of elevation. The trailhead starts directly across from the Smugglers’ Notch Visitor Center and climbs a series of rock staircases before mellowing out at the pond. Loop the pond via the Long Trail for the best views and a bit of solitude on the back side. Great mix of forested climbing, high-mountain lake scenery, and shoulder-season foliage. The pond itself is a nice lunch spot with rocks to sit on and clear water to look into, and the shoulder trails offer more solitude than the direct out-and-back.

  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Length: 2.2 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 938 feet
  • Trail Map

Challenge Yourself on the Sunset Ridge Trail

The Sunset Ridge Trail is one of the most spectacular routes up Mount Mansfield, climbing from Underhill State Park to The Chin along an exposed ridgeline with wide-open views for most of the upper half. Expect steep rock scrambles above the tree line and steady exposure to wind and weather at the top. A serious hike, but the payoff for the effort is one of the best summits in New England and a top pick for experienced hikers among our hiking trails in Stowe, VT, favorites. Save this one for a clear-weather day. The ridge is exposed, and there is nowhere to duck for cover if a storm moves in.

  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Length: 5.4 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 2,545 feet
  • Trail Map

Book Your Stowe Hiking Getaway

Fall books up fast in Stowe. Our fall seasonal rentals (30+ day stays) and fall vacation rentals include properties with the amenities that make a hiking trip one you’ll never forget. Contact our team or browse our vacation homes to find the right home base for your next adventure!

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