Planning a trip on the Long Trail? We encourage all hikers to do their research and plan ahead & prepare to ensure a safe and successful hike. This page contains resources to help you learn about guidelines, precautions, gear, and special considerations for hiking in Vermont.
The Long Trail, its side trails, and the Appalachian Trail in Vermont pass through a variety of landscapes, from pastoral meadows to the shores of ponds to the peaks of Vermont’s highest mountains. The Long Trail is rocky, rooty, rugged, and can be remote.
Learn More About the Long Trail
This page has information about the best times of year to hike, how long it might take, and how to deal with logistics like camping, cooking, using the bathroom, getting and treating water, and resupplying.
Long Trail Trip Planning Resources:
- The Long Trail Guide (2025)
- The Long Trail Map (2025)
- The End-to-Ender Guide (2026) (digital download)
Safety Basics
Even the shortest day hike can quickly turn dangerous in poor weather conditions or without the proper preparation. You should always carry the Ten Essentials and discuss your safety plan with your hiking companions. Leave your intended itinerary and time you plan to return home with a trusted friend or loved one. In case of emergency, don’t hesitate to call 911 to get connected to a Search and Rescue agency – there is no charge for search and rescue services in Vermont, and rescuers would rather help you early in an emergency, when your issue could be resolved with a simple phone call.
The Ten Essentials
These supplies are designed to help you stay safe and comfortable in the event your hike goes longer than planned or someone in your group has an accident, injury, or gets lost. They are critical for a hike of any length. Rescue may be several hours away, and cell service is not reliable in the backcountry.
- Navigation (map and compass)
- Sun Protection (ex: sunglasses, hat, sunscreen)
- Insulation (extra clothing, rain gear)
- Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
- First-aid Supplies (include any medication you take regularly)
- Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
- Tools/Repair Kit for gear (and know how to use them!)
- Nutrition (extra food)
- Hydration (water treatment/filtration system and/or extra water)
- Emergency Shelter (ex: tarp/emergency blanket)
HikeSafe
New Hampshire Fish and Game and the White Mountain National Forest developed this HikeSafe Hiker Responsibility Code, and GMC supports and promotes its principles.
You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared:
- With knowledge and gear. Become self reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start.
- To leave your plans. Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you will return and your emergency plans.
- To stay together. When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person.
- To turn back. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know your limitations and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there another day.
- For emergencies. Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening. Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.
- To share the hiker code with others.
Weather Considerations
Weather can change quickly in the mountains, and Vermont is no stranger to extreme weather, from intense rain and flash flooding, to thunderstorms, to winter snowstorms.
- Mountain Point Forecasts by the National Weather Service show you how temperatures and conditions can change as you gain elevation
- Learn About Flash Flooding and how to cross water safely
- Read “Ready for Rescue,” by the Vermont State Search and Rescue Coordinator, about how to best prepare yourself for an emergency
Hypothermia can afflict hikers even in summer; often, cool drizzly 40-50ºF days are the most common for hypothermia. Heat Illness and heatstroke are considerations during Vermont’s hot and humid summer days as well. Consider taking a Wilderness First Aid Class to learn more about environmental hazards and how to handle them in the backcountry. GMC hosts these classes several times per year; they are also offered worldwide by SOLO Wilderness Medicine.
Guide to Winter Hiking
Guide to Hiking in Heat, Haze, and Smoke
Special Considerations for Hiking in Vermont:
Alpine Zones
If you’re hiking to the summit of Camel’s Hump, Mt. Mansfield, or Mt. Abe, you will be entering areas with some of Vermont’s only alpine tundra. The plants here are very fragile and are easily killed from both human and animal footsteps. Please stay on trail in these areas and leash dogs. Alpine zones are also subject to rapidly changing weather, so come prepared with the 10 Essentials and pay attention to weather changes.
Bears and Food Storage
Bears have become more active around the Long Trail System in the last few years. As of July 24, 2019, hikers are now required to use a bear box, bear can, or hang all their food/refuse/etc 12′ from the ground and 6′ from the tree and branch, and carry out all trash, on Green Mountain National Forest Land. The Long Trail and its side trails from Massachusetts to Route 17 (Appalachian Gap) are mostly on GMNF land. GMC recommends using these food storage methods on the entire trail. Find more information about the GMNF’s food storage order here. Find out more.
Hiking with your school, organization, business, or other group is a great way to experience Vermont’s trails and increase access to hiking. Groups have a larger impact on the trail and environment than individuals, and as such, there are some logistics and precautions to be aware of. This page has everything you need to know around planning, group size limits, permits, and various land use regulations.
Hiking with Dogs
Many hikers choose to hike the Long Trail with their dogs, but certain preparations must be taken to ensure the safety of the dog and other hikers. Please be respectful of other hikers and keep your dog leashed or under voice control; do not allow your dog to approach other people or dogs. Dogs must be leashed at overnight sites, near water sources, near trailheads and parking lots, and in the alpine zone. All dog waste must be packed out with you; do not deposit dog waste plastic bags in the privies, as they will disrupt the composting process. Read more about hiking with dogs, how to prepare your dog for a long hike, and how to care for them on trail, here.
Trailhead Safety
Please do not leave valuable property in plain view in your vehicle. Car break-ins can and do take place at trailheads all over Vermont. If you are the victim of a break-in, please report it to the Vermont State Police.
Questions?
Contact the Green Mountain Club Visitor Center for answers about route planning, what to pack, arranging transportation, and more!
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