Abbey Pond, Vermont

An uncrowded favorite in the Green Mountain National Forest.

We love this hike for many reasons. It is short and beautiful. It is great for kids and dogs. It is local and easily accessible, but not crowded like Mount Philo, Sterling Pond, or other mega-popular hikes. Also, it’s dog-friendly, not only because dogs are allowed, but because there is water the whole way up at no more than 15-minute intervals. Finally, the difficult part of the hike—a steep climb along and then out of a stream gully—gets the challenge out of the way early and gets you to a nice, relatively easy stroll through the forest until you arrive at Abbey Pond. The pond is beautiful: pristine, only accessible by this trail, and peaceful and calm.

The trail starts out with a sustained uphill that does not relent until the second mile. At first, it follows a stream, crossing twice, gaining elevation until the trail veers off to the south through the woods to gain more elevation. One long, steep switchback after the second stream crossing, and the climb is over. Next, the trail crosses the stream again at a spot where our kids played in the water for over an hour. About 20 more minutes of gentle up-and-down through a nice section of Green Mountain National Forest, and the pond comes into view. As we approached, ducks could be heard sounding an alarm. We all quieted down and were treated to an untouched, calm,

There is a nice rock on which to sit and contemplate the view and to have a picnic. Our kids played in the stream just below the beaver dam, and could have stayed for hours if we hadn’t made them leave. They found a pickerel? Leopard? Frog and a bullfrog in the stream which was of course great excitement.

Getting there is pretty straightforward. The trailhead is well marked off Vermont highway 116, about halfway between East Middlebury and Bristol. Although it is well-marked, it is easy to pass by because it is a fast section of road and the sign sneaks up on you.