Southern Vermont’s natural beauty make it a bucket list item for hikers of all abilities. Star Gazer Farm is conveniently located to several hiking hot spots. Over the years, we have had hundreds of hikers use Star Gazer Farm as their home-base while tackling the area’s iconic day hikes. Here is our guest-curated list of hiking the Best Southern Vermont hikes:

#1. Lye Brook Falls

Lye Brook falls trailhead in Manchester, VT is about 15 minutes from Star Gazer Farm. This is a 5-mile loop hike…at the end, you are rewarded with a view of the tallest waterfall in Vermont. This hike can be done in about ½ a day. It is easy to moderate in difficulty level. More information about Lye Brook Falls trail is available on the Forest Service Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gmfl/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=75341&actid=50

#2 Dorset Quarries

VT is famous for its marble quarries. In the nearby town of Dorset (20 min drive) there are numerous hikes that lead to abandoned quarries. These a popular choice for our guests because of how intriguing it is to explore the abandoned quarries. Visiting the quarries is like stepping back in time. Along the way to the quarries, you are likely to encounter other interesting abandoned structures. Several of the hikes offer scenic vistas at the destination or along the way. Pick your perfect quarry hike from the Town of Dorset’s dedicated hiking website: http://dorsetvt.org/hike.html. These hikes cover a broad range of ability levels. Please see the Dorset hiking website for specific information on difficulty and length.

#3. Equinox Mountain and Lookout Rock

The is a strenuous 6.3-mile hike, but it’s worth it! At the end, and along the way, you are rewarded with fantastic vistas of the valley that runs north/south along Route 7. The trail is best when there is no snow on the ground. Mount Equinox is the highest mountain in the Taconic range. At the summit, there is a visitor’s center and monastery. Lookout rock is just 2/10 of a mile away and has views of Manchester Village and features a marble bench for weary hikers to rest upon. The All Trails website has more information on this hike: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/vermont/equinox-mountain-and-lookout-rock

#4. Grout Pond

Grout Pond is located roughly 15 miles from Star Gazer Farm. You’ll access the trail from Kelly-Stand Rd. in Sunderland, VT. You can canoe, kayak or hike. There are no rentals available. There is a total of 12 miles of trail at Grout Pond. It’s not uncommon to see moose and bear roaming the woods around the pond. Information on the Grout Pond trails can be found on the Forest Service Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gmfl/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=64913&actid=50

#5. Lake Shaftsbury State Park

Image Credit: Jen Rypkema – Pinterest

Shaftsbury State Park boasts a lovely recreational pond encircled by easy hiking trails. It’s just 8 minutes from Star Gazer Farm. This is a perfect hike for families with small children. There is a playground and quaint swimming area with sandy beach. The park also has grills and picnic tables. Canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and stand-up paddle boards are available to rent. This is an enjoyable family outing. More information on Lake Shaftsbury State Park is available on their website at: https://www.vtstateparks.com/shaftsbury.html

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