Faulkner Trail, Woodstock VT
• 4-star hikes
• 3 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 490 to 520 feet
• Woodstock, VT | Central East Region
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The star on Mount Tom marks the trail's end.
The Faulkner Trail begins at the edge of Faulkner Park, just off Mountain Avenue in the picturesque town of Woodstock, Vermont. Roadside parking is available nearby, and the path officially starts at an informational kiosk toward the back of the park's mowed lawn.
The route is named for Marianne Faulkner, who created it in the 1930s as a memorial to her late husband, Edward Daniels Faulkner. Having experienced the gentle walking paths designed for cardiac health in the German spa town of Baden-Baden, she modeled these switchbacks on European designs to build a restorative nature trail for the entire community.
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4★ Faulkner-Precipice Loop
2.6 mi loop, moderate, gain 520 ft GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX? |
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4★ Faulkner Out and Back
2.9 mi out & back, moderate, gain 490 ft GPX File · AllTrails · Directions |
| P Free parking |
From the park, the path climbs the hillside through a series of broad, well-graded switchbacks. The gradient remains easy to moderate as it winds through the woods without ever feeling strenuous. Near the summit, the gentle grade gives way to a shorter, rockier stretch where steel posts and hand cables line the path to assist with foot balance on the uneven terrain.
At Mount Tom’s South Peak, hikers are rewarded with sweeping views of downtown Woodstock, the surrounding hills, and the Ottauquechee River Valley. The peak is also home to the Woodstock Star, mounted on a frame facing the valley. Originally erected in the 1940s to welcome local troops returning from World War II, the star remains an iconic fixture today. In 2024, the Woodstock Rotary Club led an effort to replace its aging wooden frame with a sturdier metal structure, ensuring the star continues to glow over the village every evening.
Hillside switchback hiking through shaded forest.
Hikers have two primary ways to approach the trek. The simplest route is an out-and-back hike following the Faulkner Trail switchbacks both up and down for a predictable, gentle journey. Alternatively, hikers seeking more variety can turn the trek into a loop by descending via the Precipice Trail and Link Trails before rejoining the lower Faulkner switchbacks. The Precipice Trail is steeper and rockier than Faulkner, making it a little slippery when wet. From there, the Link Trails offer a rougher, backcountry feel with far less foot traffic.
Faulkner Trail is part of a larger network in the area. To the north, it connects into the trails of Billings Park and the Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Historical Park, offering plenty of options for hikers who want to extend their day beyond Mount Tom's South Peak. Check out our 'Trailspotting Nearby' links for more information.
Faulkner Trail viewpoint close to the top of the trail.
Enjoy the rolling Vermont scenery from Mt Tom's South Peak.
External links:
Hiking Trails at National Park Service website
Trailspotting nearby:
4★ Luce's Lookout (3 mi)
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