Stowe, Vermont's Very Best Hikes for Summer and Fall

Stowe, Vermont is a famed winter destination for skiing, but it’s also ideal in the summer and fall for hiking, when the trails are snow-free and the leaves—deep green in summer and fiery in the fall—are on the trees. The best months for hiking around Stowe are June through October—after the “mud season” is over and before the leaves drop and the snow returns.

All through the summer, the weather is ideal for being outside. Dense trees cast shade across the mountain slopes, cold water streams down the valleys, and the sun shines on most days. Rain showers and chilly wind are always a possibility, but they are just part of Vermont’s mountain character. Then comes autumn when the leaves change. Few places on Earth rival the color show in Vermont! Hundreds of tree species take turns showing off throughout September and October, and the mountains become carpeted in color.

With mountains rising on either side of the town, one of which is the tallest in Vermont, the hiking possibilities near Stowe are endless. You don’t want to miss out on the best hikes if you have limited time to explore, so here’s a checklist of must-do routes in the area, including a range of difficulties and distance from town. You’ll find everything from short walks to local waterfalls to challenging treks to the top of Mount Mansfield.