Where to Go Hiking in the Mad River Valley
Get Ready to Hike in the Mad River Valley, Vermont
Vermont’s Green Mountains rise right outside the door here, and the Mad River Valley Vermont holds some of the best hiking in the state. Whether you want an easy walk before dinner or a full day on the Long Trail, you’re never more than a short drive from a trailhead in Waitsfield, VT, or Warren. Below is our full guide to hiking in this region, organized by difficulty so you can pick the right trail for your day. Book your Vermont Bed and Breakfast stay first, then plan the rest of your trip around it.
Easy Strolls for All Skill Levels
The Mad River Path is a collection of connected trails running through Warren and Waitsfield, and it’s the easiest way to get outside without much planning. The Warren Path offers a one-mile out-and-back route through Eaton Town Forest, passing striking boulders and a natural rock bridge, or a shorter half-mile stretch connecting Brooks Recreational Field to Warren Village.
For something along the water, the Riverside Park to Snowmaking Pond Loop covers 2.5 miles, following the Mad River and circling Sugarbush Resort’s snowmaking pond, with forested sections and river access for swimming. If you only have twenty minutes, the Cloud Water Farm Trail is a short 0.3-mile path alongside a sustainable agroforestry farm with its own river access.
Blueberry Lake, just a few minutes from Warren, loops gently through the woods with views of the lake and surrounding hills the whole way, a good pick for a leisurely afternoon or a short hike before dinner back at the inn.
Moderate Day Hikes
Once you’re ready for some elevation, a few trails nearby offer real payoff without an all-day commitment, and they help explain why hiking is always near the top of any list of things to do in Vermont.
The Vista Trail picks up from the north end of the Warren Path. It’s steep for its half-mile length, but it rewards you with sweeping views of the village and the mountains around it. Sunset Ledge, reached from Lincoln Gap, is a classic on the Long Trail, especially popular in the fall when the valley below glows with color. Plan on about an hour for the round trip.
At Mad River Glen, the Stark Mountain Trail climbs 2.5 miles from the base of the ski area, following the old work road beneath the resort’s single chairlift, passing a small waterfall before meeting the Long Trail near the summit.
Mount Abraham is the single most popular summit hike from our inn. Start at the Lincoln Gap trailhead, just over five minutes away, at roughly 2,500 feet, so you’re already more than halfway up before you take a step. At the 1.7-mile mark, you’ll pass Battell Shelter, a common overnight stop for Long Trail hikers. From the 4,000-foot summit, the view opens across the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain to the west, with the White Mountains visible in the other direction. The Green Mountain Club maintains this stretch of the Long Trail and its shelters, and their site is the best place to check current trail conditions before you go.
Advanced Hikes and Long Trail Segments
For hikers who want a full day or a genuine challenge, the Mad River Valley has plenty of terrain to earn. Molly Stark’s Balcony starts from the Appalachian Gap trailhead, about twenty minutes from the inn. The 2.6-mile round trip gains over 500 feet, climbing to the flat ridge at Molly Stark Mountain’s summit before continuing to the balcony itself, where Camel’s Hump and the Worcester Mountains fill the view.
General Stark Mountain, also from the Appalachian Gap, is one of the more serious outings in the area. The 6.2-mile round trip typically takes four to five hours and includes steep terrain with ropes and ladders on the toughest sections. If you have a full day and want to see as much ridgeline as possible, the stretch from Lincoln Gap to Appalachian Gap along the Long Trail runs about eleven miles across the spine of the Green Mountains.
Camel’s Hump is accessible via the Monroe Trailhead or the Burrows Trail, both leading to one of Vermont’s most recognized summits. Check Vermont State Parks for current parking and trail status before you go.
Stay at a Vermont Bed and Breakfast
However you spend the day on the trail, coming back to West Hill House B&B is part of the appeal. A jetted tub, a glass of Vermont beer or wine in the common rooms, and a good night’s sleep in your private guest room before the next day’s adventure make this Vermont Bed and Breakfast a natural home base for exploring the Mad River Valley on foot. Ask us at check-in for current trail conditions or help matching a hike to your group’s fitness level; the Innkeepers are happy to point you toward whichever trail fits your day best.
Mad River Valley Vermont Hiking FAQ
Where is Waitsfield, Vermont?
Waitsfield sits in the Mad River Valley in central Vermont, a few minutes from Warren and West Hill House B&B, and about an hour from Burlington.
What is the best hike in the Mad River Valley?
Mount Abraham is the most popular summit hike from the inn, with a trailhead at Lincoln Gap and views stretching to the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain.
What are the best easy hikes near Waitsfield VT for beginners?
Blueberry Lake and the Warren Path both offer gentle, well-marked trails suited to beginners, each within a few minutes of West Hill House.
What else is there to do in Vermont besides hiking?
The Mad River Valley also offers swimming holes, farm stands, and nearby Sugarbush Resort, making it a good base for combining a hike with other things to do in Vermont.
Whichever trail you choose, West Hill House B&B puts you minutes from the trailhead and a comfortable room waiting at the end of the day. Book your Vermont bed and breakfast stay and start planning your Mad River Valley hiking trip today.