VERMONT

The only real fault you can find with canine hiking in Vermont is that there isn’t more of it in the country’s 45th largest state. The Green Mountain Club pioneered long-distance hiking in America in 1910 and the 273-mile walking path the length of the state from Canada to Massachusetts can be traversed the entire way with your dog. No mountain climb is ever “easy” but summiting to jaw-dropping views on peaks like Mount Philo, Mount Hunger, Mount Pisgah and even the roof of the state on Mount Mansfield are well within the capability of any dog. Vermont’s premiere hike, up and over the distinctive double-humped exposed peak of Camel’s Hump, involves enough boulders that a helping hand may be required here and there but it is still doable for an experienced trail dog. Lake Champlain is the largest lake in the contiguous United States not tagged a "Great Lake." Deeper than 400 feet in places, the lake even has its own monster known as "Champ." Don’t expect to find long, solitary beach hikes along Lake Champlain but there are pockets of dog-friendly sand such as at Starr Farm Beach. Snake Mountain snuck away from its cousins in the Green Mountains and lords over the Champlain Valley. The canine hike to panoramic views of the lake and across to the Adirondack Mountains is partially on an abandoned carriage road to a long-closed hotel. And the Green Mountain State gets a big bump from artist Stephen Huneck’s 150-acre Dog Mountain in the Northeast Kingdom - America’s best dog park.

The Best Day Hike You Can Take With Your Dog In Vermont

Monroe Trail
Camel’s Hump State Park • Duxbury

There is no mistaking the distinctive double-humped exposed peak in the center of Vermont’s Green Mountains. It has long stirred the imagination of those who want to name it. The Waubanaukee Indians called it “Tah-wak- be-deece-wadso” that translates to “saddle mountain.” To French explorers in the 1600s it was the “resting lion.” When Vermont Founding Father Ira Allen sketched out a regional map in 1798 he colorfully called the unique mountain “camel’s rump.” By 1830 the name “Camel’s Hump” was in common usage.

Camel’s Hump is the only alpine peak in Vermont without a ski resort on it so it is a very popular canine hiking destination. Several well-marked routes lead to the 4,083-foot summit. The Monroe Trail takes about 2,500 feet of that elevation to climb up the east side of the mountain in 3.3 miles.

Rocks are a big part of your dog’s hiking day here that begins in thick birches and past a reflective beaver pond. After clearing the tree line the boulders become more prominent and many dogs may require a helping hand once or twice. The windswept summit serves up a classic Vermont panorama.

Retreat on the Monroe Trail or make a loop with the Long Trail and Dean Trail that tacks another mile onto the journey. Upon reaching the bottom cool down with an easy stroll on theView Trail, a wide swath of grass, to allow Seaman to admire what he has just accomplished.

HIKING TIME: 3-4 hours

(from the book 300 Day Hikes To Take With Your Dog Before He Tires You Out: Trails where you won’t be able to wipe the wag off your dog’s tail)