This Is the Most Claustrophobic Hike in Vermont—Would You Try It?

For such a small state, Vermont delivers big on hiking trails. Whether you're looking for a gentle stroll around a pond or an adrenaline-pumping mountain trek, you'll have no shortage of options in the Green Mountain State. And then, there are some hikes that are downright intimidating, not necessarily because of their difficulty, but for the overall atmosphere. In fact, in the case of today's feature destination, one might feel a bit claustrophobic.

Freedley Quarry isn't your average Vermont hike. You won't be trekking up the mountains or even venturing to a waterfall but rather exploring a somewhat wild cavern where you'll be surrounded by darkness, water, and a lot of graffiti. It's an undeniably unique adventure that will likely take you out of your comfort zone, especially if you're not a fan of being underground or in enclosed spaces.

First, a bit of background. In the late 1700s, the town of Dorset experienced a mining boom thanks to the beautifully colored marble found in the mountain bedrock surrounding the town. The Freedley Quarry was active between 1785 and the 1920s, when the marble was used for architecture in major cities like New York and Washington, D.C. The demand for marble eventually dropped due to more affordable options like Portland cement, and the quarry was forced to close.

Today, it's still possible to explore this abandoned quarry, which feels almost like a living time capsule. The quarry is a deep, arch-shaped cavern carved into the slope of Mount Aeolus. The space has lots of different passageways to explore and a large pool of water that freezes over entirely during the winter. (Some even ice skate on the frozen pond!)

To get there, you'll take the moderately difficult Trail 6 on a 2.2-mile round-trip adventure. It's a steady incline to the top on a fairly nondescript gravel road—it's an old mining road—but the real adventure is the cave exploration. Once inside, things start to feel a bit surreal.

As always with caving and caverns, be sure to bring a hiking buddy with you. You'll want to bring a flashlight with you and wear sturdy boots as the inside of the quarry is dark and damp. Also note that there are lots of newts near the entrance, so watch your step!

Entering the cave might give you a bit of a claustrophobic feeling, especially when you consider that you're venturing into the slope of a mountain. Fortunately, the space opens up quite considerably as you continue. But it's dark, echoey, and chilled, with an otherworldly, almost spooky vibe.

Hikers who have ventured to the quarry describe it as "a must-see," "amazing," and "100 percent worth it." So, what do you think? Is this an underground adventure that you'd like to experience? If so, be sure to share this article with a fellow outdoor enthusiast and begin planning your adventure!

If you prefer hiking aboveground, take a look at our list of the 18 best hiking trails in Vermont. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.