The Appalachian Trail in Bennington.
And now, courtesy of the folks at Vermont Begins Here, we bring you a few ideas for hiking in the great outdoors this fall. Several trails in and around Bennington offer perfect adventures for hiking, photography, and meandering in nature. For more ideas visit http://www.vermontbeginshere.com.
Woodford State Park: Woodford
The hiking trail in Woodford State Park brings you around Adams Reservoir, a gorgeous, tree-lined lake nestled in the green mountains about 11 miles from Bennington. Because Woodford State Park is in the mountains, you’ll find that it’s much cooler here than in Bennington. Definitely pack a sweater or jacket for fall hiking.
The trail around Adams Reservoir is dark and mossy, traveling through thick stands of hemlock and spruce, with great views for much of the hike. There are several easy stream crossings, and you may even see the carnivorous sundew plants if you look very carefully along the shore.
Woodford State Park is open from Memorial Day weekend until Indigenous People’s Day. You can visit in the off-season, but you have to park your car outside the gate and walk in. Download a trail map from Vermont State Parks.
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
Length: 2.7 mile loop
Kid appeal: Swimming, playground, boat rentals
Dogs: On leash
Fees: $4 for adults, $2 for kids
Woodford State Park in the autumn.
Harmon Hill on the Appalachian Trail: Bennington
Choose a dry day to hike Harmon Hill on the Appalachian Trail/Long Trail, which is located on Route 9 just east of Bennington. Park your car at the Appalachian Trail parking area on the north side of the road, and cross Route 9 to head south. This is a 3.6-mile out-and-back trail with a total elevation gain of 970 feet. It’s very steep at the beginning, with lots of rocks and switchbacks. The trail levels out after about a mile, traveling through a lovely meadow and ending with gorgeous views of Bennington, Mount Anthony, and the Taconic Range. The top of Harmon Hill is a great spot for an autumn picnic. Read a detailed overview of the trail and download a trail map from the National Forest Service.
There’s nothing like a woodland hike to get you excited about fall in Vermont. After your workout, indulge in a well-deserved meal at one of Bennington’s many restaurants.
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Length: 3.6-miles round trip
Kid appeal: Rock scrambles
Dogs: Yes
Fees: None
Mile Around Woods: North Bennington
The Mile Around Woods trail sits behind the beautiful Park McCullough house in North Bennington. This loop starts by taking hikers through beautiful farm fields of grazing horses, then meanders through a hardwood forest on a lovely, wide path. The forest loop is exactly a mile long, but you can make the adventure last by traipsing across several fields, or by visiting the historic Park McCullough House and Hiland Hall gardens. Park McCullough House is open for tours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from May to October.,The Hiland Hall gardens have been meticulously restored and are located behind the main house. For an overview of the trails, please visit the Fund for North Bennington.
Difficulty: Easy for all ages
Length: 1-mile loop with options for longer hikes
Kid appeal: Farm animals, wildflowers, rocks for climbing
Dogs: On leash
Fees: None, unless you want a tour of the historic house
Like a local
Find yourself on a Stay to Stay Weekend
Thinking about moving to Vermont? The fall season of Stay to Stay Weekends is upon us. Autumn is the perfect time to come to Vermont for an exploratory vacation. Get a feel for what it’s like to live in Vermont, network with employers, check out local real estate—and enjoy the gorgeous foliage. St. Johnsbury, Rutland, Bennington, Burlington, and Brattleboro all are hosting Weekends in October and November. Looking to get into the tech field in Vermont? Don’t miss the annual Tech Jam on Oct. 17.
For more information, visit http://www.vermontvacation.com/staytostay.
