Stratton Mountain via the Long Trail / Appalachian Trail
Stratton / Southern Green Mountains, Vermont
Activity
Hiking / Fire Tower
Distance
6.9 mi round trip
Elevation gain
~1760 ft
Route
Out and back
The adventure
Climb a storied southern Vermont mountain to a historic fire tower with a 360-degree payoff above the trees. Climb through the southern Green Mountains to a historic fire tower standing nearly 4,000 feet above sea level — then climb the tower for the view the wooded summit refuses to give you.
Leave the trailhead on Stratton-Arlington Road and follow the white-blazed trail north into the forest. Settle into the long climb through hardwoods, wetter low sections and increasingly higher mountain forest until the trail delivers you to Stratton Mountain's wooded summit. Find the historic steel fire tower, climb above the treetops for the panoramic payoff, then retrace the trail all the way to your starting point and.
What to expect
- Climb through the southern Green Mountains to a historic fire tower standing nearly 4,000 feet above sea level — then climb the tower for the view the wooded summit refuses to give you.
- Leave the trailhead on Stratton-Arlington Road and follow the white-blazed trail north into the forest. Settle into the long climb through hardwoods, wetter low sections and increasingly higher mountain forest until the trail delivers you to Stratton Mountain's wooded summit. Find the historic steel fire tower, climb above the treetops for the panoramic payoff, then retrace the trail all the way to your starting point and.
Good to know
- FIRE TOWER PAYOFF
- The summit is wooded; the historic fire tower provides the elevated views. Only climb when the tower is open and conditions are safe.
- TWO LONG TRAILS
- The Long Trail and Appalachian Trail share the white-blazed approach to Stratton Mountain.
- REMOTE MOUNTAIN ROAD
- Stratton-Arlington Road access can be seasonal or affected by weather; check road conditions before leaving.
- PREPARE FOR THE CLIMB
- Expect a sustained forest climb and changeable summit weather. Bring water, navigation, and layers.
- Fee
- Free — no required entrance or parking fee.
- Entrance fee
- The road-access hiking route does not require an entrance fee, hiking permit or paid reservation. This outing approaches entirely on foot from the established trailhead rather than using the paid gondola.
- Dogs
- allowed-on-leash.
- Season
- Conditions vary by season; check current access and trail conditions before visiting.
Photos