Beautiful views await hikers at Little Rock Pond.
Stanti Schonbachler/Castleton Spartan

If you are looking for an awesome day hike less than an hour from campus, look no further. Little Rock Pond, located in the quaint little village of Mount Tabor, is the perfect destination. Situated along the Long Trail, Little Rock Pond is a pristine mountain lake with crystal clear water nestled in the iconic Green Mountain Range.
The hike is quick, easy, and relatively flat, with only 350 feet of elevation gain over two miles. The terrain is forgiving and is easy to navigate for trekkers of all ages. This hike is around four miles, round trip, and shouldn’t take more than 2 ½ hours complete. This picturesque pathway is part of both the Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail and is marked with the white trail markers of the Appalachian Trail. The lake has areas for camping and there is a caretaker there in the warmer months who maintains the trails, camping area, and surrounding forest. There is a $5 overnight fee if you want to camp at the shelter and that money goes to the Green Mountain Club which maintains the Long Trail.
This area is frequented by both day hikers and backpackers. While it can seem busy at times, there is a certain sense of solitude in the woods and that sense isn’t lost on this hike. A friendly face is a warm reminder that you’re not alone out in the woods.
The lake itself was created by glaciation from the last ice age and there are opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating if you can make the two mile hike in with a canoe over your head. The water is clean, clear, free of pollution, and is perfect on a hot summer day. The western side of the lake features a large rock vista with incredible views of both the lake and the mountains to the east.
Being part of the both the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail, more enterprising hikers can make the nine mile trek to White Rocks Mountain in Wallingford. The trip is around five hours and it would be a good idea to have a vehicle parked at the destination. The trail leads you up a series of small mountains and they all contain incredible views of the surrounding terrain. Anyone who makes the hike within the next few weeks will be treated to some of the best foliage that southern Vermont has to offer.
“It’s the perfect thing to do when you have a morning or afternoon free. It clears your head, a good workout both physically and mentally” said New Yorker Bridget Gormley, who vacations in Vermont to relieve the stress of the busy city.
Directions to Little Rock Pond:
Take Route 4 to Route 7 south
Travel south down Route 7 for 27 miles to Mount Tabor
Turn left (east) onto Forest Road 10 (Brooklyn Rd)
Take Forest Rd 10 for 3.2 miles
There will be a clearly marked parking area for the trail.