Built by the Green Mountain Club between 1910 and 1930, the Long Trail is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States. The trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts-Vermont line to the Canadian border as it crosses Vermont's highest peaks. As it winds its way to Canada, the Trail climbs rugged peaks and passes pristine ponds, alpine bogs, hardwood forests and swift streams.
With its 270-mile footpath, 175 miles of side trails, and nearly 70 primitive shelters, the Long Trail offers endless hiking opportunities for the day hiker, weekend overnighter, and extended backpacker.
It was the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail, which coincides with it for one hundred miles in the southern third of the state.
People of all ages and backgrounds can be found amongst the list
of Long Trail end to enders. Many do it in one hike, taking anywhere
from 20 to 30 days. Still others take 20 years to complete the 270
mile trek. Most hikers hike from shelter to shelter stringing together
many hiking days at a time. Others complete the trail by taking
only day hikes. There is no prescribed mode for doing it, only that
you cover the entire length of the trail on foot.
With a mix of paid staff and volunteers, the Green Mountain Club
maintains the trail (see accompanying story) and is the primary
source of information about it. The Long Trail Guide is the official
guide to the Long Trail and its network of side trails. This guidebook
and the Club's companion publication, Day Hiker's Guide to Vermont,
which includes trails outside the Long Trail System, together cover
the majority of hiking trails in Vermont.
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