Northeast Kingdom Mountain Trail Guide: Second Edition

“I am delighted to see NorthWoods continue to share access and insight to the beautiful mountains of northeastern Vermont.  From the first Forest Legacy project at Cow Mountain Pond, to the recently opened Kingdom Heritage Trail, this book, like those trails, is a valuable resource.”  

—U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy

Since 1989, NorthWoods has employed thousands of young adults in conservation work in northern Vermont, northern New Hampshire and beyond. Their mission to connect people and place through science, education and action is achieved through the synergy of the conservation corps, environmental education, conservation science and forest stewardship programs. The NEK Mountain Trail Guide comes out of three decades of experience hiking, mapping, maintaining and managing trails, working alongside many partners. This comprehensive guidebook offers detailed trail descriptions, accurate maps and colorful photos. With this unique account of the Northeast Kingdom’s natural and cultural history, NorthWoods has created a truly valuable resource for hikers, educators and outdoor enthusiasts.

In this second edition of the Northeast Kingdom Mountain Trail Guide, NorthWoods introduces 12 new mountain trail descriptions including hikes in the Groton State Forest and the recently completed long-distance Kingdom Heritage Trail, as well as updates to existing trail entries and new maps and photos.

The second edition of the NEK Mountain Trail Guide provides an in-depth resource for visiting and local hikers of all levels. From rugged long-distance wilderness hikes to beautiful Universally Accessible trails with stunning views, this guide is perfect for visitors and families looking to explore the highlands of the Northeast Kingdom.

Table of Contents

*=All New Trail Content ^=Significant Updates

  • Foreword
  • Preface
  • Introduction 
  • Hiking in the Northeast Kingdom^
  • Northeast Kingdom Trail History^
  • Groton State Forest*
    • Big Deer Mountain, Groton*
    • Little Deer, Groton*
    • Owl’s Head, Peacham*
    • Spruce Mountain, Plainfield*
    • Devil’s Hill, Peacham*
  • Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)^
  • Lake Willoughby Region^ 
    • Wheeler Mountain, Sutton^
    • Boiling Spring
    • Wheeler Pond, Barton/Sutton
    • Moose Mountain, Sutton
    • Mount Hor, Westmore
    • Mount Pisgah, Westmore
    • Haystack Mountain, Westmore
    • Bald Mountain, Westmore
    • Sentinel Rock, Westmore*
    • Holbrook State Park, Sheffield*
  • Fire Towers^
  • Essex County
    • Kingdom Heritage Lands*
    • Bluff Mountain, Island Pond*^
    • Middle Mountain, Avery’s Gore*
    • Gore Mountain, Avery’s Gore*
    • Brousseau Mountain, Norton
    • Averill Mountain, Norton
    • Monadnock Mountain, Lemington^
    • Silvio O. Conte NFWR Nulhegan Basin Division^
    • Cow Mountain Pond*
  • Other Mountains
    • Burke Mountain, East Burke
    • Stannard Lookout, Stannard*
  • NorthWoods Stewardship Center^
  • NEK Mountain Challenge^
  • Notes Cited
  • Resources 
  • About the Editors