Washington: Granite, Maple and Mountain Trails

Montpelier lies at the confluence of two rivers, with the surrounding hills sheltering the town. The Vermont History Museum, located in the Pavilion Building downtown, focuses on the history of Vermont. The Vermont State House also shapes the area’s cultural identity: it preserves the oldest continuously operating legislative chambers with their original interiors intact.

The landscape has a historical connection dating back to 1899. That year, John E. Hubbard bequeathed 125 acres to the city of Montpelier to create a park and, in his words, preserve the wilderness for future generations. The gift connects a specific place with an early idea of landscape conservation.

Maple Culture and Market Life

Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks combines agriculture with a visitor experience. Founded in 1966 as an agritourism business, it offers information about maple syrup production. The Maple Trail leads through a sugar maple forest. Visitors can also try maple ice cream. The farm is open daily year-round; check opening hours before your trip.

For a glimpse of local produce and crafts, visit the Capital City Farmers Market. It brings together people who grow food, raise meat, bake bread, make pottery and create gifts. The summer market runs from May through October, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 133 State Street. If you plan to visit the market, check the dates and times before your trip.

Granite History and Trails Around Barre

The Vermont Granite Museum is located in an authentic granite production facility dating from around the turn of the century. Its exhibits cover the geology and technology of Vermont granite, as well as its history and art. The Barre Opera House, a historic theater dating from 1899, offers another perspective on the area’s culture. It hosts about 50 public events each year.

The Millstone Trails wind through the historic quarry lands of Millstone Hill. Deciduous and evergreen forests alternate with exposed granite ridges. From the Grand Lookout in Gnome Man’s Land, the view stretches from Lincoln Gap to Jay Peak, with Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield in between. This brings the memory of granite quarrying together with far-reaching mountain views.

Barre Town Forest offers a different range of activities: about 20 miles of maintained trails are available for hiking, skiing and mountain biking. The trails are open year-round; many are groomed for cross-country skiing and fat biking in winter. The forest also has a free public 18-hole disc golf course with a par of 61. The options vary by both season and activity.

Mountain Drives and Nature Trails

The Mad River Riders mountain biking network includes more than 40 miles of designated trails and connects them to Sugarbush’s downhill terrain. For hiking, Sugarbush provides access to the Long Trail system, with trailheads at Lincoln Peak, Mount Ellen, Lincoln Gap and Appalachian Gap. Scenic lift rides take visitors to higher elevations without a climb, from where they can explore mountain trails and reach the Long Trail. Lift rides operate seasonally; check operating hours before your visit.

At the North Branch Nature Center, grassy trails run along the edge of the meadows. A bridge leads to further sections of the Montpelier and East Montpelier trail network. In Waitsfield, Lincoln Gap and Appalachian Gap offer scenic mountain drives. The Great Eddy Covered Bridge also spans the Mad River there. The landscape can be experienced in different ways: on designated trails, by lift or along a mountain road.

Discover More Destinations

Montpelier, Barre, Warren, Waitsfield, Calais, Chittenden, Caledonia, Bennington County

For the overview of the wider region: Vermont.