Essex, New York

Top Spots in and near Essex

  • Cambridge, Vermont

    Sterling Pond Trail

    5.0
    2.28 mi / 876 ft gain
    Sterling Pond trail begins across the street from a parking area on Route 108, about 3 miles south of Smugglers' Notch Resort. Keep in mind that the road is closed to vehicles once the snow falls, so if you want to hike this area in the winter, you'll have to park about 40 minutes away and hike ...
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  • Waterbury Center, Vermont

    Hike Mt. Hunger

    4.5
    4.2 mi / 2263 ft gain
    Mt Hunger stands at 3540 ft and face Vermont's tallest mountain, Mt Mansfield. At 45 min drive from Burlington, this is a challenging out and back hike.  The views it offers and the waterfalls you will find along the path, makes it a good alternative to the overcrowded trails of Mt Mansfield. Th...
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  • Saranac Lake, New York

    Mount Baker in Saranac Lake

    1.57 mi / 853 ft gain
    Mount Baker (also referred to as Baker Mountain) stands at 2,457 feet and sits in the village of Saranac Lake and is part of the Saranac Lake 6ers Challenge. This is a moderate out and back 1.8 mile hike with an elevation gain of around 900 feet. It is the easiest of the 6ers and makes for a grea...
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  • Montpelier, Vermont

    Stone Tower via State House Trail

    1.22 mi / 356.3 ft gain
    Start at the Vermont State House in Montpelier and hike the State House Trail to the stone observation tower. There are 7 miles of trails in Hubbard Park, but the trail from the State House to the tower is 0.5 miles one-way. Started in 1915 and completed in 1930, the 54-foot-tall Hubbard Park ...
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  • Castleton, Vermont

    Hike around Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park

    Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park is a unique collection of hiking trails and walking paths that meander more than 204 acres of fields, forests, gorges, cliffs, and gardens. The best way to explore these enchanting trails is to pack a picnic and lace up your hiking boots for a full-day ramble. ...
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  • Lake Clear, New York

    Ampersand Mountain

    4.5
    4.95 mi / 1650 ft gain
    Ampersand Mountain is part of the Saranac Lake 6er Hiking Challenge. It is one of six mountains surrounding Saranac Lake. The trail starts just across the street from the parking area. Though there is ample parking it can full up on a good day as it is a popular hike. The trail begins over mo...
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  • Lake Clear, New York

    Ampersand Beach

    0.99 mi / 118 ft gain
    Located across from the Ampersand Mountain trailhead on NY Route 3, a trail will take you a short walk (about a half mile) to this beautiful, quiet beach on the shores of Middle Saranac Lake. Starting at the trailhead, you will continue along an unmarked but clear footpath that trails through the...
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  • Clemons, New York

    Black Mountain Loop

    6.79 mi / 1319 ft gain
    Black Mountain is located on the Eastern side of Lake George and is the tallest mountain above Lake George. The trailhead is located on Pike Brook Road (off from Hulett's Rd, Route 6) in Clemons, NY. The parking area is about one mile up Pike Brook Road, on the right. This hike to Black Mountain...
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  • Wolcott, Vermont

    Elmore Mountain Fire Tower Loop

    4.0
    5.43 mi / 1535 ft gain
    If hiking in off season when the park is closed, begin from the lower parking lot or the "day use area". If hiking while the park is open you can drive to the upper parking lot (subtract about 1.4 miles from total distance) Beginning from the lower parking lot make you way through the gate and i...
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  • Newcomb, New York

    Goodnow Mountain

    5.0
    3.85 mi / 1053 ft gain
    The trailhead is located on NY 28N and is marked by a white trailhead sign that you can't miss from the road. The highly used trail starts out fairly level, then at 0.5 miles begins to ascend steeply in some spots the rest of the way to the summit. The hike is 1.95 miles from the parking area to ...
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  • Mendon, Vermont

    Hike to Killington Peak

    5.0
    3.4 mi
    The trail head (Bucklin Trail) is found a couple of miles up Wheelerville Road on the left. Wheerlerville is a dirt road that will be muddy in the spring and summer. The drive is long enough that you will think you did something wrong, but you haven't! the trail head will eventually pop up.The tr...
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  • Killington, Vermont

    Pico Peak

    5.51 mi / 1793.09 ft gain
    Pico Peak (pronounced "pike-o") is a 3,957-foot mountain in Killington, Vermont, sitting in the heart of Rutland County and the famous Green Mountains. Often overshadowed by its bigger neighbor Killington Peak (4,229 ft) just to the south, Pico is one of the more rewarding mid-distance hikes in c...
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  • Appalachian Trail, Vermont

    Thundering Brook Falls

    4.8
    0.44 mi / 112 ft gain
    The hike to Thundering Brook Falls is kid friendly and fun for the whole family. At only .4 miles roundtrip, this is an excellent quick workout. Dogs are allowed on this trail but must be kept on leash. This trail is hiked year-round but is best used in the spring, summer, or during fall colors. 
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  • Bolton, New York

    Cat & Thomas Mountains

    5.0
    5.67 mi / 1280 ft gain
    There are a few ways to approach these two peaks. We chose to do a traverse using two vehicles. Starting at Edgecomb Pond Rd you will park along the road. There will be a sign and yellow discs directing you to the start of the trail. The first 0.4 miles is following a dirt road. You will the...
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  • Fort Ann, New York

    Sleeping Beauty and Bumps & Fishbrook Ponds

    6.16 mi / 1138 ft gain
    Parking is available at the end of Dacy Clearing Rd. There are great primitive campsites throughout the area. In winter and mud season you will have to park at the start of Dacy Clearing Rd which adds 1.6 miles each way. From the parking clearing, turn right passing through a gate. Soon you r...
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  • Fort Ann, New York

    Shelving Rock Mountain

    3.09 mi / 581 ft gain
    The trailhead for Shelving Rock Mountain has enough room for about five cars but additional parking can be found on the road leading to it. Be sure to sign the log book and begin the hike by passing around the "stop" car barrier. The trail starts off following a small stream (on your right) but ...
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