Hiking Mt Ascutney State Park - panoramic view tree outdoor landscape nature mountain sky autumn plant cloud background lake painting forest surrounded distance
--°C
Loading...
See forecast →

Hiking in Mt Ascutney State Park: trails, map and practical info

Connecticut River Valley • Vermont

4.7 Appreciated by 5 hikers
François Dumaine
By François Dumaine • Contributor since 2022 • Updated 01/04/2026
Ready to go See map
Difficulty
Hard
Distance
6 km
Elevation
853 ft
Duration
4h30
Max altitude
1,006 ft

I need the specific trail information to write the introduction. The template you provided shows empty fields for:

  • Trail name
  • Region
  • Province/State
  • Distance
  • Elevation gain
  • Difficulty
  • Estimated duration
  • Current description
  • Current H1

Please provide the actual trail details so I can craft a compelling introduction following your guidelines.

Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers

Ready to explore Mt Ascutney State Park? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

Oh no! We don't have any photos 😢

This trail hasn't been captured yet. Be the first to share your adventure!

Trail description

I notice that you've provided the instructions for rewriting hiking location descriptions, but I don't see any existing content about a specific hiking location to rewrite.

Could you please provide the existing content about the hiking location you'd like me to rewrite? I need the original description that contains the factual details, trail information, and other specifics that I should preserve and improve upon.

Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
1826 Back Mountain Rd, Windsor, VT 05089, USA
GPS coordinates
43.437683, -72.405868
Phone
(802) 674-2060

Starting Point

The mt ascutney state park is located in Windsor, Vermont. To get to the start of the trails, take exit 8 off of I-91 and head west on Route 44. The park will be on your left.

When?

Opening hours
Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMTuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMWednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMThursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
Loading

How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
—
What to bring?
Gear
  • Hiking shoes Essential
  • Layered clothing Essential
  • Rain jacket Essential
  • Trekking poles
  • Headlamp
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
No dogs
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
43.437683, -72.405868
Center
(802) 674-2060

Hikers' opinions

4.7
4 Reviews
M
Mike
Nov 22, 2025
What an incredible workout this hike provides! The ascent is relentless and demanding, perfect for those seeking a serious challenge. The stone observation tower at the summit offers breathtaking 360-degree views that extend for miles in every direction. Definitely one of Vermont's most rewarding climbs despite the difficulty.
L
Lisa
Oct 3, 2025
The fall foliage views from Mount Ascutney's summit were absolutely spectacular during peak season. This is definitely a tough climb that requires good fitness levels, but the reward at the top is incredible. The historic fire tower provides an amazing vantage point for photography and taking in the scenery.
S
Sarah
Sep 15, 2025
The Windsor Trail to the summit offers spectacular views of the Connecticut River Valley and surrounding mountains. The climb is definitely challenging with steep sections that will test your endurance, but the panoramic vistas from the fire tower make every step worthwhile. Trail conditions were excellent during my visit.
J
Jennifer
Jul 8, 2025
This trail is much more strenuous than I anticipated based on the distance alone. The constant uphill grade makes it feel much longer than it actually is. While the summit views are beautiful, be prepared for a real workout and bring plenty of water for this challenging ascent.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Hard
853.00 m
1006.00 m
Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMTuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMWednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMThursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
4h30
No
No
Didn't find your answer?
Free 1 pages

The Essential Hiking Checklist

Everything you need for your next hike. Bilingual, printable, 1 page.

Download the free checklist
Top 10 best hiking in Connecticut River Valley
Our ranking based on hiker reviews

Hiking near Concord

0 trails to explore ~75 km away

View trails
Did you spot an error?

We work hard to provide the most up-to-date and error-free data possible. If something seems incorrect, let us know!

Update : June 2026