Mt Ascutney, Windsor VT


• 5-star hikes
• 1 to 9 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 310 to 3,000 feet
• Windsor & Weathersfield, VT | Southern Region
.   VT Fire Towers  
The image shows an observation deck with metal railings on top of a mountain. There are informational panels attached to the railing, likely providing details about the view or the location. In the background, there is a clear sky with some clouds and a vast landscape of greenery that extends to the horizon. Also visible are communication towers next to the deck.
Repurposed fire tower, now a viewing platform close to the summit.

Mount Ascutney towers over the Connecticut River and the neighboring town of Claremont with its 2,700 foot prominence, challenging hikers to climb to its tallest 3,144 foot peak. We have reviewed all of the most popular routes to the summit, complete with downloadable maps, plus links to the other two trails that we're yet to fully explore. The ones we haven't yet reviewed are indicated with an asterisk.

The majority of the trails are within the boundaries of and maintained by Vermont State Parks, which also includes the Mount Ascutney Parkway allowing folk to drive within 300 feet of the summit - see Summit Loop below. Parking lots at the beginning of all trails that we've reviewed are well sized and easily accessible, but at busiest times expect the Weathersfield Trail lot to fill up first. Note that the park is not open during winter, and its operating season begins late May and ends mid October each year.
⬤ 4★ Summit Loop   1.4 mi loop, moderate, gain 310 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?
⬤ 5★ Weathersfield Trail   5.5 mi out & back, moderate, gain 2,180 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions
⬤ 4★ Windsor Trail   5.2 mi out & back, moderate, gain 2,470 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions
⬤ 5★ Brownsville Trail   5.7 mi out & back, moderate, gain 2,410 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions
⬤ 5★ Bicentennial Trail   6.2 mi out & back, gain 2,130 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions
⬤ Futures Trail (Y)   9.0 mi out & back, gain 3,000 ft
AllTrails Public · Directions
 P  Free parking     Y  Yet to review

⬤ Summit Loop 1.4 mi 310 ft
Short summit hike. Paid entry.
The 3.7 mile Mount Ascutney Parkway ascends almost all the way to the summit, offering a sceninc drive and the opportunity to stand atop the summit with only a short hike. Once you reach the upper parking lot, the Summit Loop is around 1.4 miles in length and only 310 feet in elevation gain. It can be tackled just as easily in either direction. Be sure to climb the observation tower, visit the true summit and check out the West Peak Lookout also.

⬤ Weathersfield Trail 5.5 mi 2,180 ft
Most popular route. Features a waterfall.
Trail of rocks and roots, gradually ascending to the summit with waterfalls fed by small creeks. One minor rock scramble. Around 1.1 miles into the hike is Cascade Falls, a stream that seemingly drops off a short cliff, though we were underwhelmed since the trail leads only to the top of the falls and there's no way to view what's below. Definitely check out all the viewpoints along the way, including Harry's Lookout, Gus' Lookout and the West Peak Overlook.

A person standing on a rocky outcrop overlooking a vast landscape of rolling hills and dense forests. The sky is clear with few clouds, and the horizon stretches far into the distance, suggesting a high vantage point. The person is wearing a red top and dark pants, facing away from the camera towards the scenery.
West Peak Overlook is on the Weathersfield and Summit Loop trails.

⬤ Windsor Trail 5.2 mi 2,470 ft
Summit trail. Features a waterfall.
One of two trails up the mountain's northern flanks. Slightly shorter that the Weathersfield Trail, but with a little more elevation gain the Windsor Trail follows a creek to Gerry's Falls. Beyond, the trail heads into mixed woodland and heads for the summit. The only viewpoint is a good one - Blood Rock Viewpoint - though it does require a 0.3 mile diversion and a little additional hill climbing.

⬤ Brownsville Trail 5.7 mi 2,410 ft
Our favorite trail, with an abandoned quarry.
The same elevation as Windsor trail but a slightly longer trail. Follow an old road up to the former quarry, where abandoned equipment and stacked 'Ascutney Green' granite blocks lie beside the trail. There's even a great viewing point at the end of a short section of rail track that points over the cliff edge. Brownsville also includes several further viewpoints on the way to the summit, making it our favorite trail. Forest scenery is mixed and pretty, and trail conditions are moderate with no scrambling required.

⬤ Bicentennial Trail 6.2 mi 2,130 ft
Quiet trail. Some views & a waterfall.
Recently rerouted to connect with the Brownsville Trail, this route is still a great option, featuring some superb distant northerly views across a clearing that was once a ski run, and a quick side-trip to the aptly named Hidden Falls.

The image shows a natural landscape featuring a rocky stream in the foreground with water flowing over it. Surrounding the stream are lush green trees, and in the background, there is a view of distant mountains under a clear blue sky with few clouds.
Cascade Falls on Weathersfield Trail. Not much waterfall to see from above.

⬤ ⬤ Brownsville & Lincoln Loops
Connecting the northern trails.
We've mapped out a couple of additional routes in case you'd like to combine the Windsor and Brownsville trails into a single loop. The first is the shortest and requires connecting the two trailheads by walking on Vermont Route 44 for a mile. If you start at the Windsor trailhead and finish with the road section, then you will at least be doing so downhill, though note that there's no sidewalk along this mostly quiet road. Alternatively begin at Windsor trailhead and walk west up the Norcross trail that switchbacks through forest to meet the Brownsville Trail. We'd recommend hiking Norcross in a westerly direction (a counter-clockwise route) since the trail is more popular with mountain bikers than hikers, and heading west will give you the best view of any cyclists coming downhill towards you.

Windsor-Brownsville-Road Loop   7.0 mi loop, medium, gain 2,500 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions
Norcross-Brownsville-Windsor Loop   7.9 mi loop, medium, gain 2,670 ft.
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

The image shows a natural outdoor scene with a rusted metal wheel and cable, lying on the ground among fallen leaves. In the middle ground, there are large, irregularly shaped rocks or stone blocks scattered around.
Abandoned Stone Quarry on Brownsville Trail

The image shows a scenic view from a high vantage point, looking between two railroad rails that lead off the cliff, flanked by large rocks and trees with sparse foliage. In the distance patches of greenery can be seen amidst lighter areas that could be fields or open land. The sky is overcast with clouds, suggesting it might be an early autumn day.
Quarry rail track leads off the side of the cliff.

A scenic view of a forest with a variety of trees, some of which are changing colors indicating autumn. In the foreground, there are dark green coniferous trees and lighter green deciduous trees with hints of orange and red foliage. The middle ground reveals more dense autumn-colored foliage, and in the background, there is a vast landscape extending to distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
Blood Rock Viewpoint is a short distance off Windsor Trail.

A panoramic autumn landscape viewed from a high vantage point, with vibrant red and orange foliage in the foreground. Below, a patchwork of forested hills and open fields stretches across a broad valley. In the distance, hazy blue mountains rise beneath a clear sky streaked with wispy clouds.
Superb views on the Bicentennial Trail switchbacks.

A rusted, skeletal car frame lies abandoned in an autumn forest, partially buried under a thick layer of fallen leaves. Surrounded by tall, mostly bare trees and scattered yellow foliage, the decaying vehicle is entwined with ferns and undergrowth, blending into the forest floor.
The remains of an old car slowly sinking into history.

External links:
Ascutney Trails website
Mt Ascutney State Park website

Trailspotting nearby:
5★ Sugar River Rail (10 mi)
3★ Green Mountain (2-3 mi)
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