Older than the Appalachian Trail
Long before the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail were ever conceived, there was the Long Trail. Built between 1910 and 1936 by the Green Mountain Club, this 272.7-mile footpath traces the main ridge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts border all the way to Quebec.
Whether you are embarking on a 20-day end-to-end thru-hike or targeting iconic day summits like Mount Mansfield and Camel’s Hump, the Long Trail offers some of the most rugged, exposed alpine hiking in the eastern United States — from arctic tundra above tree line to moss-draped hardwood forests.
Key statistics
The trail by the numbers.
Total length — 272.7 miles, or 439 km.
Southern terminus — the Massachusetts state line near Stamford, Vermont.
Northern terminus — the Canadian border at Journey’s End in Jay, Vermont.
Highest point — Mount Mansfield’s Chin, 4,393 ft / 1,339 m.
Most iconic peak — Camel’s Hump, 4,083 ft, entirely undeveloped.
Appalachian Trail overlap — miles 0 to 105, from the Massachusetts border to Sherburne Pass near Killington.
Total elevation gain — roughly 65,000 ft, equivalent to climbing Everest twice from sea level.
Mount Mansfield: walking the alpine profile
Mount Mansfield resembles the profile of a human face looking up at the sky. From south to north the features are the Forehead, the Nose — where the transmitter towers stand — the Lips, and the Chin, the true 4,393-foot summit.
Mansfield holds 200 of Vermont’s roughly 500 acres of rare alpine tundra, fragile vegetation preserved since the last ice age. Hikers must stay strictly on rock to protect delicate diapensia, bilberry and mountain sandwort.
The best day hike combines the Sunset Ridge Trail with the Long Trail for a 5.6-mile loop packed with open slab walking and exposed views.
Camel’s Hump: pure, undeveloped wilderness
If Mansfield represents accessible high-alpine beauty, Camel’s Hump represents pure, rugged conservation. In 1911 land donor Joseph Battell gifted the peak to Vermont with the strict requirement that it remain forever wild. There are no buildings, auto roads or ski lifts on Camel’s Hump.
Visible from miles away, the mountain’s unique double silhouette gives it its name; the Abenaki knew it by names meaning the marble mountain and the moose-head mountain, and early French maps called it the couching lion.
Off the Alpine Trail near the summit lies the wreckage of a WWII bomber that crashed into the peak during a 1944 flight, killing nine of the ten crew. A memorial plaque marks the site; treat it as a memorial and leave everything in place.
Four-season strategy
The trail is open year-round, but each season demands different skills and gear.
Summer, June to August — the prime window for thru-hikers: long daylight, lush canopies, warm temperatures. Expect mud, black flies in early June and sudden afternoon thunderstorms.
Autumn, September to October — the golden window for day hiking. Crisp air, virtually no mosquitoes and world-class foliage framing the ridges.
Winter, December to March — an arctic alpine domain requiring snowshoes, crampons, thermal layering systems and mountaineering experience.
Mud season, April to mid-May — critical: stay off high-elevation trails. Saturated soils erode severely and fragile plant roots are destroyed. Green Mountain Club caretakers close trails above 2,500 feet during this window.
Thru-hiking versus section hiking
Completing all 272 miles is a classic backpacking goal, and the trail divides neatly into two halves with very different characters.
The southern section, miles 0 to 105, shares its tread with the Appalachian Trail from Massachusetts to Sherburne Pass near Killington. It has wider trails, gentler grades and well-maintained shelters, making it ideal for beginner backpackers and section hikers looking for moderate terrain.
The northern section, miles 105 to 272, becomes notoriously steep and technical once the AT splits off toward New Hampshire. You will encounter wooden ladders bolted into cliff faces, narrow hand-over-hand rock scrambles and long stretches between resupply points — and far more solitude.
Safety and leave no trace
Four rules that matter more than any gear list.
Prepare for ridge weather — summit temperatures on Mansfield or Camel’s Hump can be 20°F colder than the valley, with high winds and sudden fog. Always carry a windproof shell and insulating layers.
Walk only on durable rock above treeline — on Mansfield, Camel’s Hump and Abraham, step only on exposed slab. A single boot print off-trail can destroy decades of alpine plant growth.
Store food properly — black bears are active along the corridor. Use bear canisters or the food-hanging cables installed at Green Mountain Club shelters and lean-tos.
Filter or treat all water — stream and pond water must be filtered or chemically treated against Giardia and other pathogens before drinking.
Good to know
How long is the Long Trail?+
272.7 miles, or 439 km, running from the Massachusetts state line near Stamford to the Canadian border at Journey’s End in Jay. Total elevation gain is roughly 65,000 feet — the equivalent of climbing Everest twice from sea level.
Is the Long Trail older than the Appalachian Trail?+
Yes. The Green Mountain Club built it between 1910 and 1936, making it the oldest long-distance footpath in the United States. The AT later shared its tread for the southern 105 miles, from Massachusetts to Sherburne Pass.
Which section is harder?+
The northern section, miles 105 to 272. Once the Appalachian Trail splits off toward New Hampshire, the Long Trail becomes steep and technical, with wooden ladders bolted to cliff faces, hand-over-hand scrambles and long gaps between resupply.
When should I not hike the Long Trail?+
Mud season, roughly April to mid-May. Saturated high-elevation soils erode badly under boots and fragile alpine roots are destroyed; Green Mountain Club caretakers close trails above 2,500 feet. Hike below that elevation instead.
What are the best day hikes on the trail?+
Mount Mansfield via the Sunset Ridge Trail and the Long Trail — a 5.6-mile loop over open slab with long views — and Camel’s Hump, Vermont’s wildest big summit at 4,083 feet with no buildings, road or lifts.