726 m away
Cliff Trail
Short but strenuous route from the top of the gondola to the summit of Mount Mansfield.
Extreme Hiking
- Distance
- 2.1 km
- Ascent
- 222 m
- Descent
- 223 m
Profanity Trail (Bad Weather Bypass)
Stowe
A less exposed and less steep alternative to the Long Trail over the summit of Mount Mansfield.
Hiking Severe
- Distance
- 539 m
- Ascent
- 173 m
- Descent
- 0 m
- Duration
- 0-1 hrs
- Low Point
- 1.1 km
- High Point
- 1.3 km
- Gradient
- 31˚
The Profanity Trail is one of Mount Mansfield's "bad weather bypass" routes. If conditions turn foul on the mountain's exposed ridgeline, you can use this trail to retreat into the relative safety of the forest at lower elevation.
Description
Thru-hikers of the Long Trail may use Profanity Trail to bypass the summit in bad weather. Day hikers may use it as part of a loop with the Long Trail to reach the summit. Therefore, it is mapped here as a one-way between its junctions with the Long Trail, so you can factor the distance into your route.
If you hike the Long Trail southbound to reach the summit, you'll confront very steep and exposed rock scrambling on the upper reaches of the trail. If you want to skip that, either on the way up or the way down, use Profanity Trail instead. It is still quite steep, and not free of all rock scrambling, but it is substantially easier than the Long Trail.
Difficulty
Severe
Hiking challenging trails where simple scrambling, with the occasional use of the hands, is a distinct possibility. The trails are often filled with all manner of obstacles both small and large, and the hills are very steep. Obstacles and challenges are often unexpected and can be unpredictable.
Medium Exposure
The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury.
Remoteness
Away from help but easily accessed.
Best time to visit
Features
- Alpine
- Wildlife
- Picturesque
- Summit Hike
- Dog friendly
- Wild flowers
- Water features
- Family friendly
- Forestry or heavy vegetation
Similar routes nearby
1.6 km away
Long Trail South to Mansfield Summit
Hike Mount Mansfield bottom to top, starting from just outside Stowe Mountain Ski Resort.
Severe Hiking
- Distance
- 6.7 km
- Ascent
- 835 m
- Descent
- 835 m
1.7 km away
Mount Mansfield Summit from Auto Toll Road
The easiest route to the summit of Mount Mansfield.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 3.9 km
- Ascent
- 185 m
- Descent
- 185 m
1.9 km away
Sterling Pond Trail
Popular hike to a large pond near the top of a mountain.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 3.1 km
- Ascent
- 279 m
- Descent
- 279 m
2 km away
Haselton Trail
Forest hike among the ski runs that finishes near a mountainside café, and provides access to higher trails on Mount Mansfield.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 4.6 km
- Ascent
- 601 m
- Descent
- 601 m
3 km away
Mount Mansfield: Sunset Ridge Trail
Widely considered the best trail to the 4,393-foot summit of Mount Mansfield.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 8.2 km
- Ascent
- 770 m
- Descent
- 770 m
3 km away
Maple Ridge - Sunset Ridge Loop
Reach the summit of Mount Mansfield via three of its most thrilling trails.
Extreme Hiking
- Distance
- 12 km
- Ascent
- 870 m
- Descent
- 870 m
4.2 km away
Bingham Falls
A 40-foot waterfall and summer swimming holes in a mountain stream.
Easy Hiking
- Distance
- 802 m
- Ascent
- 56 m
- Descent
- 56 m
5.1 km away
Butler Lodge Trail to The Forehead
Climb to one of Mount Mansfield’s lesser peaks, with an overnight shelter and options for longer loop routes.
Severe Hiking
- Distance
- 7.7 km
- Ascent
- 764 m
- Descent
- 764 m
5.5 km away
Mill Trail
Walk to a historic cabin in the woods beside a river.
Easy Hiking
- Distance
- 663 m
- Ascent
- 42 m
- Descent
- 42 m
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Guidebooks in this area
8 routes · Hiking
The Best Family-Friendly Hikes in Stowe, Vermont
10 routes · Hiking
Stowe, Vermont's Very Best Hikes for Summer and Fall
8 routes · Hiking
Hiking Mount Mansfield: Vermont's Highest Peak
10 routes · Hiking
10 of the Best Day Hikes in the Appalachian Mountains
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