Green Mountain Club

Maintaining & Protecting Vermont's Long Trail Since 1910

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Hiking 101 Series

Mastering Hiking 101 will allow you to explore new places, like sunset on Mt. Mansfield.
Hiking Mt. Mansfield at sunset. Photo by: Laura Greenwood

New to the backcountry? Don’t sweat it. These Hiking 101 tutorials and guides provide a beginner-friendly introduction to the backcountry skills you’ll need. Learn about everything from packing a daypack to surviving a winter camping trip. With these preparedness guides and a little practice, you’ll be on your way to feeling comfortable in Vermont’s forests in no time!

Hiking 101 in Vermont

Vermont is beautiful year-round for an outdoor excursion, but “Hiking Season” is generally considered to be between Memorial Day (May) and Indigenous People’s Day (October).

And with GMC’s 500+ miles of trails and recommended hikes, it’s easy to explore close to home, across the state, or explore Vermont as a visitor.

  • Video: Hiking 101
  • Video: Exploring Summer in Vermont

Before you head out, consider seasonal conditions and weather, safety concerns, gear, navigation, and group size, among other things.

Trail conditions. When picking a trail, do your research on the conditions, elevation, and mileage. Be realistic about your ability levels to keep yourself and others safe. It’s always better to turn around early than to risk pushing your limit to reach a summit or other pre-conceived “destination.” A search-and-rescue mission not only requires a lot of resources, but it can be dangerous for first responders. It’s crucial that you avoid dangerous situations and know how to get yourself back out of the forest.

Trail conditions will vary with the seasons, weather, varying levels of daylight, and wildlife activity. You don’t want to cross an open summit in a thunderstorm, slosh through wet trails during Mud Season, or be caught in the dark without a headlamp. Here are some general conditions to consider for a hike during each season; click each image to enlarge:

Safety. Before heading out, make sure you leave your plans with someone you trust. It’s equally important to know when to turn back as weather, fatigue, and unexpected conditions affect your hike.

  • Familiarize yourself with the HikeSafe Hiker Responsibility Code
  • Check trail updates ahead of your trip
Hiker 101: have a map and headlamp, always.
A map and headlamp are useful tools when you run into unexpected conditions. Photo courtesy: GMC Archives

Gear. Planning ahead will help you prevent future emergencies. Your gear should always reflect what sort of trip you’re planning and include emergency supplies. This includes insulation, a headlamp, a first aid kit, and tools. View the 10 Essentials before you head out.

Timing. A hike can span anywhere from a few hours to a few months. Be realistic about the time it requires for you to complete a hike. Generally, plan to hike 1-3 miles per hour; harsh weather, steeper terrain, and possible injuries will slow your pace. Trail guides generally include time estimates but know that every ability level is different, which is okay too. Knowing your skill level will help you plan accordingly for your safety and that of a group.

  • Trail Guides: browse guides at the GMC store, TrailFinder, Avenza, Guthook
  • Video: Hiking the Long Trail, Side-to-Side
  • Video: Hiking the Long Trail, End-to-End

Have fun. Vermont’s Green Mountains, Northeast Kingdom trails, and Appalachian Trail section are great for adventure and exploration. These special places are also great for sharing: bring your family, your dog, and join a group. Just do so responsibly.

  • HikeVT trail recommendations
  • Leave No Trace
  • Leave No Trace in the Alpine Zone

Keep scrolling for videos and articles to build your backcountry skillset.

Tentsite at Willoughby State Forest.
Practice Leave No Trace principles by not establishing campfires in dry, leafy areas. Photo courtesy: Angie Hilsman

Wilderness Skills

  • Video: Leave No Trace
  • Video Playlist: Map & Compass
  • Video: 10 Essentials of Safe Hiking
  • Everything You Need to Know About Bear Safety
  • Video: How to Hang a Bear Bag

Seasonal Skills

  • Everything You Need to Know About Mud Season
  • Everything You Need to Know About Winter Hiking
  • Video: Intro to Winter Hiking
  • Video: Winter Camping 101
  • Winter Camping Do’s & Don’ts
  • How to Enjoy the Last of Winter Hiking Season
  • Video: Leave No Trace in Winter
Man pulls child in ski chariot along trail, with two dogs walking alongside.
Share the outdoors with the whole family, in every season. Photo courtesy: Amy Potter

Introduction to Family Fun

  • Video: Adventuring with Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
  • Video: Hiking with Kids
  • Video Playlist: Hiking with Dogs
  • Video: Hiking Guidelines

Introduction to Backpacking

  • Video: Backpacking 101
  • Thru-Hiking Guide
  • Backpacking Advice from End-to-End Hikers
  • Backcountry Campsites & Water Sources
  • Hygiene in the Backcountry

Find a Hiking Community, Online or IRL

  • Vermont’s Hiking Community: Long Trail Hiking on Facebook
  • Green Mountain Club Outings: find your nearest section volunteers or browse the outings calendar.

Hiking Communities We Love

  • Black People Who Hike
  • Disabled Hikers
  • Get Out and Trek
  • HBCUs Outside
  • Indigenous Women Hike
  • LatinX Hikers
  • Melanin Base Camp
  • Native Women’s Wilderness
  • Outdoor Afro
  • Outdoor Asian
  • QPOC Hikers
  • Queer Nature
  • She Explores
  • Univ. of Vermont’s People of Color Outdoors (POCO) Club
  • Unlikely Hikers
  • The Venture Out Project
  • Wild Wanderer
  • Women Who Hike

Memorial Day Weekend Kicks Off Vermont’s Hiking Season 

May 26, 2022

CONTACT: Chloe Miller, Communications Manager, [email protected], (802) 241-8324  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 26, 2022  Vermont – The holiday weekend signals the end of spring mud season and the start of summer hiking. Trails around the state are now open, and the warming weather … Read more

About Mud Season HikeVT Trail Recommendations Become a Member Trip Planning Trail Maps Volunteer Opportunities

Mission

The Green Mountain Club is the founder and maintainer of the Long Trail - the oldest long distance hiking trail in America. Established in 1910 to build this trail stretching the length of Vermont, the club now also maintains the Appalachian Trail in Vermont and trails in the Northeast Kingdom in its mission to "make the Vermont mountains play a larger part in the life of the people." Read more...

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Connect

4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road
Waterbury Center, Vermont 05677
802.244.7037 | Email GMC

Email us for hiking advice. 

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