バーモントの峡谷・トップ5

Nice easy hike

The Babcock Trail is a generally gentle, sometimes muddy trail, that runs between the north-south along the western shore of Big Muddy Lake and the steep, rocky hillside of an unnamed peak that forms one side of Devil's Gulch. This is a great trail that takes you through the gulch in the shade. It is often linked with the famous Long Trail to make a very nice loop around the other side of Big Muddy Lake.

Known as Vermont's Grand Canyon, you get a splendid view of the gorge from the road bridge. You can also park up your bike and take the hiking path to explore it further and go for a swim in the summer.

The Quechee Gorge Bridge overlooks the Quechee Gorge, which is also known as "Vermont's little Grand Canyon." This deep, mile-long chasm was formed during the Ice Age, by the melting waters of a receding glacier about 13,000 years ago. This bridge offers a great view over one of the state's most stunning natural wonders; you can gaze down at the Ottaquechee River flowing through the gorge from over 168 feet in the air! This bridge is a great place to begin or end your walk in the Quechee State Park.

The Sterling Gorge Falls is a series of short cascading falls in the Sterling Gorge; there are three falls, six cascade sets, and eight pools. Not all of them, however, are visible from the trail, especially in the summer when there are leaves on the trees. The fall is accessed via a short interpretive trail that has several signs about the history, geology of the gorge, and local stories about the area, making it a great outing for people of all ages. You can swim in the pools, which are accessed by picking up the trail across the bridge from the parking lot and following it to the middle set of falls where there is a large pool that is perfect for swimming. These waterfalls are beautiful and a fantastic place to cool off in the hot summer months. As an added bonus, they are far less crowded than other falls in the Stowe area.

The Nebraska Notch is a stunning open valley surrounded by rolling but steep hillsides. Although they are mostly forested, there are some fairly substantial portions of exposed rock face, which add to the dramatic views. This area is amazing all-year-round, but is exceptionally beautiful in the fall when red, yellow, and orange trees surround the valley. There is also a beautiful small beaver pond in the valley. This is an amazing spot to eat a snack and take in the views before heading either back toward Lake Mansfield or continuing onward up the short Clara Bow Trail or onto the Long Trail. If traveling on the Long Trail, you are taken up toward a ridge, which leads you to the Taylor Lodge and a fantastic viewpoint that overlooks the Nebraska Notch and surrounding area.

This trail follows the Charles Brown Brook with many foot bridges and crossings over seasonal streams that flow into the brook. The upper part of the trail features the Grand Canyon of Norwich.

Barely a hike, more a nice walk.