Camel’s Hump is one of Vermont’s most popular hiking destinations year-round, and for good reason! The sweeping summit views, alpine environment, and wilderness feel of the mountain make it a special destination, but these draws also lead to heavy hiker traffic and over-crowding on local roads where trailheads are located.
Instead of going up the ever-popular trails on Camel’s Hump, try one of these alternative hikes. You can get scenic views in every season while enjoying quieter trails, reducing human impacts on popular trails, and helping to keep local roads and trailheads from getting too congested.
- Duxbury Window, in Duxbury
- Mt. Philo, in Charlotte
- Stark’s Nest, in Waitsfield
- Other Hikes by Area
** As of 10/15/24, access has been restored to the Monroe Trailhead via Camel’s Hump Road in Duxbury. Find more info about trail and road closures on our Trail Updates page.
Duxbury Window, Duxbury
» 3.2 mi round trip, approx. 850 ft elevation gain
Beginning where the Long Trail crosses Duxbury Road, hike 1.6 miles south on the Long Trail following a gradual incline before a short, steep section takes you to the window’s vista views of the Winooski River Valley. You will find a magical fern meadow along the way plus a bench at the viewpoint to rest and eat trails snacks before heading back down the trail. Map it.
For a longer trip, you can continue past the window to Bamforth Ridge Shelter. The shelter is about 2.9 miles south on the Long Trail up from the parking area. From the shelter, the Long Trail leads another 3.1 miles along Bamforth Ridge to the summit of Camel’s Hump for an extra-long adventure and a hike to Camel’s Hump that is much less traveled.
Mt. Philo, Charlotte
» 1.7 mi round trip, approx. 630 ft elevation gain
Mt. Philo is well-known as a favorite mud season hike, but is a great day hike option in any season. The state park has a network of 3.8 miles of trails and roads, and is accessible by car from Memorial Day through Indigenous People’s Day. The Summit Trail from the lower parking area to the top is a little under 1 mile. Visitors can enjoy wide views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks from the top of Mt. Philo, where there are benches, picnic tales, bathrooms, and an enclosed pavilion. Map it.
Stark’s Nest, Waitsfield
» 5 mi round trip, approx. 2,030 ft elevation gain
Starting from the base of the Mad River Glen Ski Area, the Stark Mountain Trail leads to the Long Trail and the Stark’s Nest warming hut. The trail follows a service road from the Mad River Glen Single Chair loading station. When you reach the Long Trail, head north for a short distance to reach the Stark’s Nest warming hut for some amazing views. Map it.
For a slightly longer hike (~6.2 miles round trip) starting on the western side of the mountains, hike 2.4 miles on the Jerusalem Trail to where it meets the Long Trail. Then follow the Long Trail north another 0.72 miles to where the trail meets the Stark’s Nest Trail. From there, it’s another 600 ft on the Long Trail to the Stark’s Nest warming hut.
Other Hikes By Area
Northern VT
- Lake Willoughby: Mt. Pisgah, Haystack Mountain, South Shore
- Worcester Mountain » 4.6 mi round trip, moderate
- Mt. Hunger » 3.6 mi round trip, moderate
- Mt. Elmore » 4.5 mi loop, moderate
- Sterling Pond (continue past pond North on LT to top of Madonna) » 2.2 mi round trip to pond, moderate
- Wheeler Mountain » 4.4 mi. RT, moderate
- Burke Mountain » 3.7 mi network, moderate
- Jay Peak » 3.4 mi round trip, difficult
- Belvidere Mountain » 5.6 mi round trip on the Long Trail from VT 118, difficult
Central Vermont
- Mt. Philo » 1.7 mi round trip, moderate
- Duxbury Window » 3.2 mi round trip, moderate
- Stark’s Nest » 5 mi round trip, moderate
- Snake Mountain » 4 mi loop using the West, Summit, and Pond Summit Trails, moderate
- Sunset Ledge on the Long Trail » 2.2 mi round trip, easy
Southern Vermont
- Bromley Mountain (new fire tower!) » 6 mi round trip, moderate
- Pico Peak » 5.5 mi round trip, moderate
- Ludlow Mountain/Okemo » 6 mi round trip, moderate
- Mt. Ascutney » four base-summit trails between 5.4 and 9 mi round trip, moderate
- Little Rock Pond » 4.4 mi round trip, moderate
