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Mount Mansfield in Stowe, Vermont

Hike Vermont's Tallest Peak

Mount Mansfield is Vermont’s highest peak and one of the top outdoor experiences near Stowe.

Use this guide to compare hiking trails, gondola access, the Auto Toll Road, summit routes, waterfall walks, webcam views, and directions from Sun & Ski Inn and Suites.

Mount Mansfield Quick Guide

A quick look at the easiest ways to experience Vermont’s tallest peak, from scenic drives and gondola rides to waterfall walks and summit hikes.

Scenic Drive

Can you drive up Mount Mansfield?

Yes. The seasonal Auto Toll Road lets visitors drive toward the Mount Mansfield summit ridge when conditions and operations allow.

Gondola Access

Can you take a gondola up Mount Mansfield?

Yes. The Gondola SkyRide at Stowe Mountain Resort offers seasonal lift-served mountain access with views over Stowe and the surrounding peaks.

Easy Nearby Hike

What is the easiest Mount Mansfield hike?

Bingham Falls is one of the easiest nearby hikes, offering a short waterfall walk near Mountain Road without committing to a full summit route.

Summit Hike

What is the best Mount Mansfield summit hike?

The Long Trail to The Chin is the classic Stowe-side summit route for experienced hikers looking to reach Vermont’s highest point.

Mount Mansfield Trails Web

Visit Mount Mansfield in Stowe

Mount Mansfield is Vermont’s highest mountain and the ridgeline that gives Stowe its signature skyline. Its profile is often described as a reclining face, with landmarks known as the Forehead, Nose, Lips, Chin, and Adam’s Apple.

For travelers staying at Sun & Ski Inn and Suites, it is one of the easiest major Stowe experiences to build a day around: hike from the base, ride the gondola, drive the seasonal Auto Toll Road, or simply watch the weather move across the summit from the webcam before deciding how ambitious you want to be.

Reach the Top of Mount Mansfield Without Hiking

Experience Mount Mansfield without a full summit hike. The Auto Toll Road offers the easiest scenic drive toward the summit ridge, while the Gondola SkyRide offers the easiest lift-served mountain access. Visitors who want to stand at the highest summit point may still need to do some walking or hiking depending on the route and access point.

Auto Toll Road

Seasonally open, the Auto Toll Road winds up Mount Mansfield toward the summit ridge, giving visitors big views without committing to a full ascent on foot.

  • Best for: views, families, mixed fitness levels
  • Expect: winding road, paid access, short ridge walks near the top

Gondola SkyRide

For the easiest way to get high on Mount Mansfield, take the Gondola SkyRide at Stowe Mountain Resort. It’s a great option for mountain views, photos, and a relaxed scenic experience without a strenuous hike.

  • Best for: non-hikers, families, views, mountaintop dining
  • Expect: seasonal lift access, weather-dependent operations, ticket required

Mount Mansfield Hiking Trails

  • Long Trail to The Chin

    Distance: 4.9 to 5.8 mi loop · Starts near Route 108 / Barnes Camp

    Full Summit Hike Hard

    This is the classic Stowe-side hike to The Chin, the highest point on Mount Mansfield and in Vermont. The route starts near Route 108 / Barnes Camp and climbs steadily toward the summit ridge, with steep sections, rocky footing, and big mountain views near the top.

    Best for: Hikers who want the classic Mount Mansfield summit experience from the Stowe side.

    View Trail Map

  • Sunset Ridge Trail

    Distance: 6.1 mi loop · Starts from Underhill State Park

    Underhill Side Summit Loop Hard

    This Underhill-side Mount Mansfield loop combines a climb toward the summit ridge with a scenic descent on Sunset Ridge Trail. The route includes above-treeline terrain, rocky footing, broad mountain views, and access to The Chin, Vermont’s highest point.

    Best for: Hikers who want a classic Mount Mansfield summit loop from the quieter Underhill side of the mountain.

    View Trail Map

  • Laura Cowles Trail to Sunset Ridge Trail Loop

    Distance: 4.9 mile loop

    Summit Loop Hard

    This popular Underhill-side loop combines the steep Laura Cowles Trail with the more open and scenic Sunset Ridge Trail. It is one of the classic Mount Mansfield loop hikes, with strong views and significant elevation gain.

    Best for: Hikers who want a classic Mansfield summit loop from the west side.

    View Trail Map

  • Mount Mansfield Loop via Maple Ridge

    Distance: 7.6 mi loop · Starts from Underhill State Park

    Technical Summit Loop Hard

    This longer Mount Mansfield loop starts from Underhill State Park and uses Maple Ridge Trail as part of a rugged route to the summit ridge. Maple Ridge is the most technical section of the hike, with rock scrambles, exposed terrain, and challenging footing before connecting with the Long Trail toward The Chin and descending by Sunset Ridge.

    Best for: Experienced hikers looking for a longer, more adventurous Mount Mansfield route with technical ridge terrain.

    View Trail Map

  • Cantilever Rock

    3.6 mi round trip · Starts from Underhill State Park

    Mansfield Area Hike Moderate

    Cantilever Rock is a shorter Underhill-side hike that leads to a distinctive rock formation on Mount Mansfield. It does not go to the summit, but it is a good option for visitors who want a Mansfield-area hike with less commitment than a full summit route.

    Best for: Hikers looking for a shorter Mount Mansfield-area hike without going all the way to the summit.

    View Trail Map

  • Mount Mansfield Loop

    Distance: 7.6 to 8.8 mi loop · Starts from Underhill State Park

    Summit Loop Hard

    This longer Underhill-side route combines trails such as Maple Ridge, the Long Trail, and Sunset Ridge for a rugged loop across Mount Mansfield’s summit ridge. It is a bigger hiking day with steep climbing, exposed ledges, rocky terrain, and some of the mountain’s best views.

    Best for: Experienced hikers looking for a longer and more adventurous Mount Mansfield loop.

    View Trail Map

  • Mount Mansfield via Hell Brook Trail

    Distance: 3.5 mi loop · Starts from Route 108 near Smugglers’ Notch

    Advanced Summit Loop Very Hard

    This short but intense Mount Mansfield loop climbs Hell Brook Trail, one of the steepest and most technical routes to the summit ridge, then connects with the Long Trail. Expect fast elevation gain, rocky footing, scrambling, exposed sections, and terrain that can be slick or hazardous when wet.

    Best for: Experienced hikers who want a steep, technical Mount Mansfield summit route in a shorter distance.

    View Trail Map

  • Sterling Pond Trail

    Distance: 2.2 mi out and back · Starts near Smugglers’ Notch / Route 108

    Nearby Mountain Hike Moderate

    Sterling Pond Trail is a popular Smugglers’ Notch hike that climbs to a quiet mountain pond near the top of the notch. The route is relatively short, but it gains elevation quickly, with rocky footing, stone steps, forested terrain, and rewarding views near the pond.

    Best for: Visitors looking for a shorter mountain hike with a scenic pond destination, without committing to a full Mount Mansfield summit route.

    View Trail Map

  • Bingham Falls via Mill Trail

    Distance: 1.3 mi out and back · Starts from the Mill Trail access area

    Waterfall Hike Easy

    Bingham Falls via Mill Trail is a short, scenic route to one of Stowe’s most popular waterfalls. This option follows a more gradual path through the woods with access to the Little River and views of the gorge, making it a good choice for visitors who want a waterfall hike without a major climb.

    Best for: Visitors looking for an easier waterfall hike near Mount Mansfield and Stowe Mountain Road.

    View Trail Map

  • Bingham Falls Trail

    Distance: 0.5 mi out and back · Starts from Route 108 / Mountain Road

    Short Waterfall Hike Moderate

    Bingham Falls Trail is the shorter, more direct route to the falls from Route 108. The hike is brief, but the lower section can be steep, rocky, and slippery, especially near the gorge and after rain, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

    Best for: Visitors who want a quick waterfall stop and are comfortable with a short but steeper walk down to the falls.

    View Trail Map

  • The Chin via Long and Profanity Trail

    Distance: 5.5 mi loop · Starts near Barnes Camp / Route 108

    Full Summit Loop Very Hard

    This challenging Mount Mansfield loop begins near Barnes Camp and follows the Long Trail toward The Chin, Vermont’s highest point. The route climbs through forested terrain, passes near Taft Lodge, continues above treeline to the summit ridge, and returns using Profanity Trail.

    Best for: Experienced hikers who want a classic Mount Mansfield summit hike from the Stowe side.

    View Trail Map

Dine at the Summit

For a mountaintop meal with unforgettable views, head to the Cliff House Restaurant, located at the summit of Mount Mansfield. Hike or ride the gondola up, enjoy lunch above the valley, and take in one of the best scenic experiences in all of Vermont.

Gondola access, hours, and reservations are seasonal, so check current availability before heading up.

Visit The Cliff House

Hike The Long Trail

Just minutes from Sun & Ski Inn, America’s oldest long-distance footpath ascends Vermont’s highest peak. This steep, rocky trek leads you past rustic cabins to a stunning alpine summit with panoramic views of Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks, and the White Mountains.

Strenuous Hike Warning: This is an advanced, highly strenuous route that requires scrambling over rock gaps and climbing iron rungs. Hike at your own risk and always:

  • Stay on the marked path.
  • Avoid wet or incliment weather and hiking in the dark.
  • Wear sturdy hiking boots.

Directions

Scenic Drive Auto Toll Road Drive toward the summit ridge Open in Maps Gondola + Dining Gondola SkyRide / Cliff House 7416 Mountain Road, Stowe Open in Maps Waterfall Bingham Falls Trail Mountain Road, Stowe Open in Maps Short Mountain Hike Sterling Pond Trail Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe Open in Maps Classic Summit Route Barnes Camp / Long Trail Barnes Camp Visitor Center Open in Maps Underhill Side Underhill State Park 352 Mountain Road, Underhill Open in Maps

Some trailheads are roadside pull-offs rather than formal addresses. Check parking, road closures, and seasonal access before heading out.

Stay Near Mount Mansfield in Stowe

Sun & Ski Inn and Suites is located on Mountain Road in Stowe, making it easy to plan a Mount Mansfield day around hiking, scenic drives, gondola rides, waterfall walks, dining, and family-friendly activities.

After a day on the mountain, return to spacious rooms and suites, The Eatery, Stowe Bowl, and Stowe Golf Park.

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