The Little Known Hiking Path in Vermont is Our Favorite First Hike of the Year

Most of us have a New Year’s Day tradition. Maybe we sit down for a big dinner with family and friends or spend the day watching football. Or, perhaps we prefer using the first day of the New Year to relax and reflect on what we hope to accomplish in the coming months. If you seek a quiet New Year’s Day, alone or with the family, spend some time wandering along this little known hiking path in Vermont.

Dozens of trails crisscross through Green Mountain National Forest, so it’s easy to overlook some of the hidden gems like the Grout Pond Trail, a little known hiking path in Stratton, Vermont. An easy trail that tallies just 2.7 miles, the Grout Pond Trail is one of those paths that offers a little bit of everything, from beautiful scenery to local wildlife.  

Because it’s relatively short, you’ll only need around an hour, ideal if you don’t have a lot of time or if the temperatures are frosty for a first-day hike. The good news is Grout Pond Trail is family-friendly and leashed pups are allowed, so you can bring the whole family on a New Year’s adventure or go on a solo trek if you prefer alone time.

The predominately flat path circles Grout Pond, offering stunning photo opportunities. If you’ve got some free time, sit at one of the picnic tables by the water and admire the wintery landscape. Spending time in nature is one of my favorite ways to channel my creativity, and the little known path in Vermont is brimming with inspiration-inducing scenery, from wooden footbridges and snow-dusted boardwalks to flowing streams and maybe even scurrying salamanders.

Before you set off, slip on comfy shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. The well-maintained trail can sometimes get muddy, especially after it rains, and if the ground is blanketed in snow, opt for boots that will keep your feet warm and dry.

Find more information about Green Mountain National Forest on the official website of the USDA Forest Service.

Have you followed the Grout Pond Trail, a little known hiking path in Stratton, Vermont? If not, add it to your must-do list. Do you have a favorite first hike in Vermont? Share it with us by filling out this nomination form.

If you feel like exploring more after your hike, head out on another of the best hiking trails in Vermont. You can find them all, including reader photos and reviews, on AllTrails+. For more wintertime fun, sashay down the slopes or zip down hills on a tube at the Stratton Mountain Resort, a popular winter resort in Vermont.