Stowe Pinnacle Trail
Stowe Pinnacle: Stowe Pinnacle Trail
Distance: 2.8 milesTime: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
The Stowe Pinnacle Trail is relatively short but steep, with a bald open summit from which you can see the Green Mountains to the west (including Camel’s Hump, the Bolton Range, the Nebraska Notch, Mt. Mansfield and the Sterling Mountain Range) and the Worcester Range. You’ll see Hogback Mt. to the southeast, which you can get to via the Hogback Trail.
If you want to shave off about 1/2 mile each way, you can drive up Pinnacle Road to the Pinnacle Meadows Parking Lot. From there you can link up to the main trail.
From GMC Headquarters, take Vt. 100 north 3.5 miles. Turn right onto Gold Brook Road. After crossing a bridge at .3 miles, turn left continuing on Gold Brook Road. After 1.6 miles you reach a junction with Upper Hollow Road. Turn right and at the top of the hill just past Pinnacle Road is a small parking area on the left.
Reviews
- April 16, 2016"Great trail for the young hiker. A shorter version is Pinnacle Meadows which takes off at least a mile from the round trip distance. I did this hike with my son who had just turned 3 last year, and while it was challenging, he loved completing his first hike to the top of a mountain. There are beautiful views about 0.5 miles into the hike too, so if you don't make it to the summit, it's still enjoyable."- Maria Fischer
- November 29, 2015"Great trail, but as others say, tough for kids younger than 7. Tip shave 1 mile roundtrip off by parking at upper lot. But a wonderful hike and views."- VTDahTah
- September 13, 2010"We did this hike with our 4 year old. While he loved the steep parts it was a little too much for him. I think we'll give it another try in a few years."- Hippiechicky
- September 7, 2010"I have hiked this shady, yet steep climb a few times with kids. I would not recommend it with children younger than 78, although we passed several hikers yesterday on the path with little kids. Albeit Mom was holding a bag of goldfish plying them along It is not your average walk in the woods. Once you leave the parking lot, the path begins through a swamp, over some wooden planks but then almost immediately you begin climbing and do so for the remainder of your hike. Sometimes it is a gradual hike, but most of the time it is pretty steep. At certain points along the way the rocks have been carefully placed to make steps and in other places you are using the natural formation of the roots and boulders to make your way up. Along the way there are a few formations for kids to look at a tepee, a rock hut, etc. I would recommend packing LOTS of snacks for your kids and lunch for the top. The summit provides an amazing view of Mount Mansfield, the Waterbury Reservoir and the Worcester Range a great place to see fall foliage. I would probably avoid it in the spring during mud season, you can see where the water runs off in the stream beds."- missmagpie
- September 22, 2008"A great family trail, though I would recommend for ages 78 and older. The trail is fairly easy, but there are a few steep inclines with big steps updown. Bring a light pack and have lunch at the top. There is plenty of room to sit down and enjoy the amazing views. We brought the dog and he had a great time too."- ceb
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