Stratton: Hiking, Mountain Scenery and Music

Stratton combines a location within the proclamation boundary of the Green Mountain National Forest with trails, winter sports, and a year-round music scene. To plan your trip, you can focus on the activities that interest you most: hikes, snow activities, or events.

Scenery and Trails Through Stratton

The 2020 Town Plan places all of Stratton within the proclamation boundary of the Green Mountain National Forest. Part of the Lye Brook Wilderness Area lies in the northwestern corner of the town. The Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail also pass through Stratton, each running north to south. This setting gives the landscape a clear framework, while the two trails cross the town along a north-south axis.

The Stratton Town Forest has hiking and biking trails. The Stratton Recreation Area adds hiking trails and cross-country ski trails to these options; it also has a sledding hill. If you’re interested in hiking up Stratton Mountain, you can get a sense of the specific route: it is 7.6 miles long and has 1,735 feet of elevation gain.

There is also a fire tower at the summit of Stratton Mountain that hikers can climb. In addition to trails in the Town Forest and Recreation Area, you’ll find a named destination at the summit and a specific route with a stated distance. Numerous snowmobile trails run through Stratton, providing another focus for outdoor recreation.

Winter Sports and Resort Activities

Stratton Mountain Resort occupies the northeastern part of Stratton. Above 2,500 feet, the resort uses land for ski lifts, trails, paths, and related purposes. The resort lists 99 trails for skiing and snowboarding. If a specific offering is important for your trip, check the resort’s latest information in advance.

The Nordic Center offers nighttime snowshoe tours. The resort also offers a UTV tour. Together with the cross-country ski trails and sledding hill at the Stratton Recreation Area, these provide several different activities centered on snow and outdoor recreation. These offerings are tied to specific locations: the Nordic Center, the Recreation Area, and the resort.

Music and Events

Stratton Mountain Music offers a year-round music scene, with events in both indoor and outdoor venues. The resort also hosts outdoor concerts. If music is part of your travel plans, you can choose between events in different settings. For a particular concert, it’s a good idea to check the event dates in advance.

The annual HarvestFest Weekend also brings together two named events: the Brewfest and the Chili Cook-Off. If you’re planning to travel to Stratton for these events, check the dates against your travel plans. Music events and HarvestFest have different focuses; the dates of each event can help you plan your trip accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Brattleboro, Newfane, Putney, West Dover, Whitingham, Rockingham, Dummerston, Wardsboro

For the broader travel overview: Windham County.