GO STOWE
SNOWSHOE GUIDE
About the Go Stowe Snowshoe Guide In this guide you’ll find information about winter trails in the greater
Stowe, VT area. • Distances and times are round-trip estimates. Recreate within your ability level! • Stowe Area Association assumes no liability for any injury sustained on these trails. • Directions to trailheads begin from the Stowe Visitor Information Center located at 51 Main Street, Stowe, VT 05672. • Please plan accordingly. See this link for the Green Mountain Club’s list of 10 Essentials to Pack on Any Winter Hike: nutrition, hydration, insulation, illumination, navigation, first aid supplies, fire, repair kit, emergency shelter, and sun protection. • Trail Maps are strongly recommended, especially for moderate and advanced hikes. Trail maps, including the Stowe-Waterbury Recreation Guide, are available at the Go Stowe Visitor Information Center, 51 Main Street, Stowe VT, and in the link below. • Stay on the trail to minimize damage to fragile trails and surrounding vegetation. • Leave no trace: carry-in/carry-out carry any and all trash that you create, including food scraps, and help keep our trails beautiful and wildlife safe. • The Green Mountain Club offers trip planning resources and COVID-19 trail etiquette guidelines. • Trail conditions will vary according to location and weather. Trails can be ICY! • If there isn’t enough snow for snowshoes, wear traction devices such as “microspikes”. Snowshoes and Micro spikes can be rented and/or purchased at: • Umiak Outdoor Outfitters • Pinnacle Ski & Sports (snowshoes only) • AJ’s Ski and Sports (snowshoes only)
EASY WINTER TRAILS Kirchner Woods (woods walk) Distance: 0.6 - 2.5 miles Time: < 1 hour Climb: Mostly flat, 380’ to the top of Summit Loop Trail Map Trailhead Location: 1491-1311, Taber Hill Rd, Stowe, VT 05672 From the historic village, take School Street for about a half-mile. Bear left onto Taber Hill Road and continue for about 1.5 miles to the Kirchner Woods parking lot on the left. About the Hike: The Kirchner Woods is a casual multi-use trail system under the cover of magnificent Sugar Maple trees. The trail starts out on a wide path of crushed rock for a quarter-mile, then switches to a mix of dirt and rocks as it narrows and winds its way to the summit.
Wiessner Woods (woods walk) Distance: 2.8 miles Time: 2 hours Climb: 900’ Trail Map Trailhead Location: Edson Hill Road, Stowe, VT 05672 From the historic village, take route 108 North 3.5 miles. Turn right on Edson Hill Road, taking the right directly after Stowehof Inn and park on the left. About the Hike: The Wiessner Woods is a forested trail complex which features casual, relatively-flat trails for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. This trail can be hiked as a 2.8 mile loop, leading through an open meadow with views towards Mt. Mansfield, a Vernal Pool, a Sugarhouse and even the Wiessner Woods Gnome Home. This woods walk is great for beginner hikers and families with young children.
EASY WINTER TRAILS Moss Glen Falls (waterfall hike) Distance: 0.6 - 4.2 miles Time: 20 minutes (to falls & back), 2-3 hours (full hike) Climb: 150’ (falls & back), 613’ (full hike) Trail Map Trailhead Location: 369-615 Moss Glen Falls Rd, Stowe, VT 05672 From the historic village, take route 100 North 3 miles and bear right onto Randolph Road. The first road on the right is Moss Glen Falls Road. Proceed about a half-mile to a small parking area on the left. Follow the trail signs. About the Hike: This is a short, scenic hike to a spectacular waterfall. The highlight of this hike is the Moss Glen waterfall, which is only about a quarter-mile from the trailhead. To get to the viewing point of the falls, hikers must ascend a short but technical rooty climb.
Sunset Rock (short hike) Distance: 1.0 mile Time: < 1 hour Climb: 200’ Trail Map Trailhead Location: The end of Sunset Avenue, Stowe, VT 05672 From Stowe’s historic downtown village, walk down Sunset Street to the end (parking prohibited). The trail starts to the left of the road. For a shorter climb to the Upper Overlook, take School Street from Stowe’s historic downtown village and drive 0.4 miles. Bear left onto Taber Hill Road and continue for about 800’ to the parking lot on the left. About the Hike: From the historic village, take Sunset Street to the end. The trail starts to the left of the road. Alternate directions, shorter climb: from the historic village, take School Street for about 0.4 miles. Bear left onto Taber Hill Road and continue for about 800’ to the parking lot on the left.
EASY WINTER TRAILS Smuggler’s Notch via Route 108 (notch hike, frozen waterfalls, unique rock/ boulder formations) Distance: 3.8 miles Time: 2 hours Climb: 620’ Trail Map Trailhead Location: GMC Barnes Camp lot, past the Stowe Mountain Resort on the right hand side of the road. From the intersection of VT-100 and VT-108 at the center of town, head north on VT-108 for 7.7 mi. Barnes Camp will be your next right after passing under the Stowe Mountain Resort cross-street gondola. About the Hike: Closed to vehicle traffic in the winter, Route 108 through Smuggler’s Notch provides a beautiful, unique snowshoe destination. Enjoy the frozen waterfalls and interesting boulder formations. Turn around at the Visitor Center at the top of the Notch.
Stowe Recreation Path (paved path) Distance: 5.3 miles (multiple access points so distance can be variable) Time: 1-3+ hours Climb: Minimal Trail Map Trailhead Location: Parking for the Rec Path is available at the following locations: Lintilhac Park: behind the Stowe Community Church on Main Street in Stowe Village, Chase Park: across from Stony Brook Condominiums on Luce Hill Road, just off the intersection of Route 108, Thompson Park: off Route 108 across from Percy Farm Corn Maze, Topnotch Access: off Brook Road, just past Topnotch Resort on Route 108. About the Hike: This 5.3-mile long Rec Path is perfect for those looking for mostly flat and level snowshoeing trail. View stunning wintry scenes along the Rec Path, while breaking to fuel up at a restaurant or café along the route.
MODERATE WINTER TRAILS Nebraska Notch/Lake Mansfield Trail (half-day hike) Distance: 4.6 miles Time: 3 hours Climb: 750’ Trail Map Trailhead Location: Old County Rd. Stowe, VT (just past the intersection with Nebraska Valley rd.) From the historic village, take route 100 South about 2.5 miles. Turn right onto Moscow Road, continuing for 2.0 miles bearing right onto Nebraska Valley Road to the Lake Mansfield Trout Club. As you drive in, you will see signs indicating this is a private road for Lake Mansfield Trout Club Members. After the pavement ends at 4.0 mi., continue up Nebraska Valley Rd. until an intersection with County Rd. at 5.9 mi. Turn right onto County Rd. and take the first left into the winter parking area. The parking lot is plowed and there is usually space for 6-8 cars. About the Hike: The Lake Mansfield Trail, also known as the Nebraska Notch Trail, is a great family hike that has something for everyone—sweeping valley views, a crystal-clear glacial pond, vibrant tree-covered hills, and even a small waterfall. It offers exceptional beauty in a secluded, serene setting. The trail is nearly level at first and passes by a grove of towering white pines which provides a majestic setting. After crossing a small stream, it begins a gradual climb. Near the top of the rise, the trail takes a sharp right turn and enters a small gorge then climbs gently past a beaver meadow, with views of the north wall of Nebraska Notch, then on to Taylor Lodge.
MODERATE WINTER TRAILS Cady Hill Forest (woods walk) Distance: 1-11.0 miles Time: 1 – 5 hours, depending on trails taken Climb: 300’ - 1,500’ Trail Map Trailhead Location: Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672. There are two parking areas used to access the Cady Hill Forest. For access from Mountain Road (Vermont Route 108), turn onto route 108 North from the historic village and continue about a mile to a parking lot on the left, across from the Springer-Miller office. For access from Waterbury-Stowe Road (Vermont Route 100), take route 100 South out of the historic village for about a half-mile. Turn right onto River Road and bear left after the bridge. Continue about a half-mile and turn right onto Cady Hill Road. There is a parking area about a half-mile up on the right. Access the trails at the end of Cady Hill Road. About the Hike: The Cady Hill Forest is one of Stowe’s most popular multi-use trail networks for mountain biking, trail running, hiking and snowshoeing. This luscious trail system is located about a half- mile from Stowe’s historic village and features winding trails through a wooded forest with occasional views along the way.
Trapp Family Lodge (woods walk) *trail pass required* Distance: Network of 60 miles of cross country ski and snowshoe trails Time: 1-3+ hours Climb: Variable Trail Map Trailhead Location: Trapp Family Outdoor Center. From the intersection of VT-100 and VT-108 at the center of town, head north on VT-108 for 2 miles, then take a slight left on Luce Hill rd. Luce Hill Rd turns left and becomes Trapp Hill Rd. The Outdoor Center parking is on the right hand side of the road, after you drive past the main lodge. About the Hike: The Trapp Family Lodge is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and offers 2,500 acres to explore. Snowshoe on more than 60 miles of trails with terrain suitable for every fitness level. Daily trail conditions.
ADVANCED WINTER TRAILS Stowe Pinnacle (half-day hike) Distance: 3.6 miles Time: 2.5 hours Climb: 1,520’ Trail Map Trailhead Location: Upper Hollow Rd, Stowe, VT 05672 or Pinnacle Heights Rd, Stowe, VT 05672. From the historic village, take School Street for 0.3 miles. Bear right at the fork onto Stowe Hollow Road, continuing straight onto Upper Hollow Road about 2.0 miles from the historic village. Parking for the Stowe Pinnacle Trail is about 0.6 miles from the beginning of Upper Hollow Road. There is a secondary parking area at Stowe Meadows, which is off of Pinnacle Road (turn left just before the Stowe Pinnacle parking lot). Trailhead Location: Stowe Pinnacle is an advanced winter hike that leads to one of the most photographed view-points in all of Vermont, and is a great day-hike/ snowshoe which will leave you feeling accomplished and in awe of the incredible beauty of the Green Mountains. Stowe Pinnacle features a classic-style of Vermont hiking trail, with rocky inclines, thick forest, and rooty steps with breathtaking views of Camel’s Hump, Mount Mansfield, the Worcester Range and the Sterling Range once you reach the top. This trail can be hiked one of two ways, from the Meadows lot to the top and back, or from Upper Hollow Rd to the top and back.