Hiking

Near Bennington [1] is the start of the Long Trail, Vermont’s [2] predecessor to the Appalachian Trail, which wends its way along the spine of the Green Mountains [3] from Massachusetts [4] to the Canadian border. You can find information about day hikes along the trail as well as other hiking paths from the Green Mountain Club (802/244-7037, www.greenmountainclub.org [5]). Guided trips near Bennington are offered by the Bennington Chapter (802/442-3469, www.bennington.com/outingclub [6]) of the club.

For the more adventurous, the Green Mountain Club maintains some 70 campsites along the Long Trail from Bennington to the Canadian border. Hikers interested in venturing forth on the Trail would do well to pick up a copy of the Long Trail Guide, available in any bookshop or outdoor store in the area (and often at pharmacies and convenience stores as well), or through the GMC’s website.

For day-hikers, the hills around Manchester [7] and Bennington [1] are filled with many more hiking trails, which start from several of the most popular sights. The Manchester Ranger Station (2538 Depot St./Rte. 11/30, Manchester, 802/362-2307) offers a free (if rudimentary) trail map of day hikes within Green Mountain National Forest that range from easy to difficult, with distances up to 11 miles.

You can find a trail map for Mount Equinox at the tollhouse for the skyline drive. Trails on the mountain vary from a short hike to a panoramic view at Lookout Rock, to a strenuous four-mile hike to the summit.

A system of more gentle trails is located at the Equinox Preservation, behind the Equinox Resort [8]. Park in the hotel parking lot and ask for a map at the concierge desk.