Hiking at Stratton Mountain Resort: summer trails, gondola and summit

Summer and fall at Stratton

In 2026, according to the resort's blog, summer operations began on Thursday, May 21 and scenic gondola rides on Saturday, May 23. The resort's website lists hiking to the historic summit fire tower and walking the mountain's trails among its summer and fall activities.

Gondola or on foot: two ways to the summit

The resort's website describes the summit as the highest peak in southern Vermont. According to the resort's blog, the gondola rides up to the summit at 3,875 feet (1,181 m). The scenic lift page says the cabins are enclosed and the views stretch across four states; it names the White Mountains, the Adirondacks, the Berkshires and the Green Mountains. Picnic lunches are allowed at the summit.

A free guided hike took place on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The resort's blog describes it as a moderate 2.14-mile (3.44 km) hike from the base area to the summit, followed by a gondola ride down.

The resort's trails

The resort's summer trail map shows hiking trails in three levels: easier, more difficult and most difficult. Near the summit, it marks the Fire Tower Trail Head.

In some places the hiking trails cross mountain bike trails: the map asks for caution and says the biker has the right of way. It labels Lower Wanderer and Lower Standard as multi-use trails, where the downhill biker has the right of way. The map adds that trails or lifts may be temporarily closed because of weather, events, construction, maintenance or trail conditions, and points to the daily trail report at stratton.com/trails.

The fire tower, the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Stratton Mountain Trail is a section of the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail that climbs to the summit. The summit fire tower is 70 feet (about 21 m) tall, was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934 and was recently renovated; it offers a 360-degree view. A Green Mountain Club caretaker is stationed at the summit during summer and fall. Camping is not allowed there, because of visitor volume and the sensitive alpine ecosystem.

This trail has its own trailhead, separate from the resort's base area: the parking area is at the Appalachian Trail / Long Trail crossing on the north side of Kelley Stand Road, about 9.6 miles from Route 7 in Arlington, or about 7 miles from Route 100 in West Wardsboro via Stratton-Arlington Road. The trail starts with a gradual ascent, crosses Forest Road 341 at 1.4 miles (2.3 km), gets steeper, follows a ridgeline, then climbs again in switchbacks.

Before you go

• Gondola: in October 2026, the resort's page listed the gondola from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October 18 (10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on October 11 and 12), with the last ride up at 4:30 p.m. and the last ride down at 4:45 p.m. It said hours could change without notice. It also says a group that is not back at the gondola by the stated times cannot ride down to the base, and recommends arriving early to leave time to explore the summit.
• Tickets: the scenic lift ticket is valid on the gondola and the American Express chairlift. Children 4 and under ride free with an adult holding a valid lift ticket. Child carriers are permitted on the gondola only.
• Services: according to the summer map, Guest Services at the base area handle information, scenic lift rides and bike tickets; restrooms are at the Main Base Lodge and in Stratton Village. The pedestrian village has shops and outdoor restaurants.
• Parking: the map shows Main Base Parking and Lot 1 at the base area.