The Bruce Trail

The Bruce has been a Stowe favourite since it was cut in the 1930s. It twists, turns and dives throughout the valley like most classic New England trails, and it’s exceptional vertical will leave your legs burning. The Bruce was one of the first trails cut on Mount Mansfield in the days before lifts. One the lifts were put in, the Bruce was removed from the trail map, due to the fact that it ends too far from the base. But thanks to trail maintenance crews, The Bruce has been preserved for your enjoyment. The easiest way in is off the very top of Toll Road. There is an area boundary sign and a rope to prevent resort skiers from taking a wrong turn. At the beginning, The Bruce is very narrow, but goes straight across the slope so you can stay in control. The trail then takes a dive down the fall line. This is probably the hardest section. You’ll see a split that looks like a trail, this is actually a riverbed. There are arrows that will point you in the right direction. Continue down this long winding trail until you enter a hardwood forest, this is a sign you are close the the end. The Bruce ends on another trail called Burt Trail. This is a part of the Stowe touring centre and is groomed. Follow this out to the road, make sure that you have a car waiting to avoid a long walk back. Maybe grab lunch at The Matterhorn whilst you’re at it.