Mendon: Hiking Trails, Forests and History

Mendon brings together several distinct themes for trip planning: hiking routes with specified lengths and formats, forest access, winter activities, scenic viewpoints and historic sites. When choosing a place to stay, you can first consider which of these destinations will be your focus. The hikes list different route types, hiking times and elevation gains, so the figures do not form a uniform difficulty scale.

Hiking: distance, time and trail type

Two similarly named Deer Leap trails differ considerably in format. The Deer Leap Overlook Trail is a 1.2-mile out-and-back trail that ends at a rocky ledge with a view. The Deer Leap Mountain Trail, by contrast, is a 3.1-mile loop. Comparing them therefore involves both the route format and the destination.

The Bucklin Trail is 7 miles round trip, with a listed hiking time of 4 to 6 hours. The Canty Trail is a 2.4-mile out-and-back trail with more than 1,600 feet of elevation gain. The municipal trail description gives 3 to 5 hours for the one-way trip; the trail can also be muddy. The Pico Peak Trail is 5.4 miles round trip, marked with blue blazes, and has 1,800 feet of elevation gain. It takes about 3.5 hours to hike and can be heavily trafficked. When comparing times, note what each figure refers to: the Canty Trail time is explicitly for the one-way trip, while the Bucklin Trail time is for the round trip. The time listed for Pico Peak is approximate.

The Long Trail is a more than 270-mile long-distance trail through Vermont and Massachusetts that can also be used for out-and-back day hikes. White blazes mark the Long Trail, while blue blazes mark its side trails. These markings distinguish the main route from the side trails.

Forest, scenic views and winter activities

Aitken State Forest is accessible in Mendon via Notch Road; the access point is east of the intersection with Wheelerville Road. Seasonal road conditions can vary, so it is advisable to check them before driving. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are possible in the forest. These include both an activity on snowshoes and one on cross-country skis as options for a winter day.

The Bald Mountain Trail has four viewpoints with panoramic views of the Green Mountain Range, the Otter Creek and Cold River valleys, and Rutland City. If you want to include scenic views in a hike, the trail description features several viewpoints and the named landscapes. Secondary roads in Mendon also provide access to Coolidge State Forest.

Historic traces and recreation in town

Historic routes also give Mendon a distinctive point of interest. The historic Rutland, Woodstock, and Stockbridge Turnpike ran along what is now Woodstock Avenue to Mendon, then split at what is now Old Turnpike or Elbow Road. The names of today’s roads place the recorded route in specific local settings.

The Tamarack Notch Trail follows an old loop road that once led to a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and later to Tamarack Notch Girl Scout Camp. Another local historic site is marked by a stone: behind the restaurant at the intersection of Route 4 and Meadowlake Drive, it marks the grave of Old John, Ripley’s cavalry horse.

Mendon Recreation Area has a well-maintained playground, a baseball field and a half basketball court with pickleball markings. Since individual facilities may change, it is advisable to check their condition before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Chittenden, Shrewsbury, Brandon, Rutland, Killington, Danby, Castleton

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