Brighton Trails Day

NEK GMC & Brighton Recreation

Saturday June 21, 2025

Brighton Town Pavilion – 8:30am

Join the Northeast Kingdom Section of the Green Mountain Club and Brighton Recreation for a guided hike on one of the area’s great trails! Some hikes will lead to summits, while others will explore the forests, streams, and ponds.

Sign up for hikes is between 8:30am to 9:00am at the Brighton Town Pavilion; there is a limit of 10 people per hike. From there we will carpool to the trailheads.

We all love our pets and most of our pets love hiking. Due to the number of participants expected and the presence of obstacles such as cliffs and wildlife, our furry friends may be happier to hike another day. We are not recommending pets on these group hikes. Service animals are welcome.  Pets will not be allowed on these hikes

Several of these hikes meet and follow the Kingdom Heritage Trail (KHT)

Hike Details

North Branch Trail, Lewis, VT – 4 Mile, elevation gain 318 feet

An easy loop hike in the Silvio O Conte National Wildlife Refuge. The trailhead is about 15 minute ride from the pavilion. Estimated Total time: 3.5 hours

The North Branch Trail borders the North Branch of the Nulhegan River. It is a rustic trail and is accessible year-round from a parking area on VT-105. In addition to snowshoeing, certain segments are also suitable for cross-country skiing. The trail is composed of native materials and gravel and is relatively level and flat. The trail offers wildlife viewers the opportunity to see boreal species like spruce grouse, black-backed woodpeckers and gray jays.

For more details: Trailfinder: North Branch Trail

Brighton State Park, Brighton, VT – 2.25 Mile, elevation gain 561 feet

The park trails are a network of easy to moderate trails. The state park is about a 10 minute drive from the pavilion. Estimated Total time: 2.5 hours

The park trails are a network that offers a variety of routing options by piecing together Main Trail, Logger’s Loop, Shore Trail, Red Pine Trail, and other trails. There is a nature center at the entrance of the park with information about the wildlife and vegetation on the trails. There are also nature brochures available for Main Trail and Logger’s Loop that provide self-guided tours of the trails. Red Pine trail winds through the forest while Shoreline Trail skirts the water and passes Loon Point, Eagle Point, and Council Point.

For more details: Trailfinder: Brighton State Park

Northwoods All Persons Trail, Charleston, VT – 0.9 Miles, elevation gain 520 feet

An easy loop hike in the Northwoods Stewardship Campus. The trailhead is about 15 minute ride from the pavilion. Estimated Total time: 1.5 hours

The All Persons Trail at the NorthWoods Stewardship Center in East Charleston provides a rolling, winding tour of the northern hardwood forest as it encircles campus. The trail is ADA-compliant and designed to welcome everyone—specifically those who use wheelchairs, adaptive equipment, mobility aids, and small children in strollers or on balance bikes.

For more details: Northwoods All-Persons Trail

Gore Mountain East Trail (KHT), Lewis, VT – 4.6 Miles, elevation gain 1,326 feet

A moderate hike to the summit of Gore Mountain.  It’s about a 45 minute drive to the trail head. Estimated Total time: 5.5 hours.

The trail begins at the Lewis Pond Overlook on the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge and travels northwest to the historic Gore Mountain fire wardens cabin. From the Lewis Pond Overlook parking area, the path follows a section of woods road that is used in winter by snowmobiles for a short distance before entering the woods on the right. In the woods, the trail approaches a boundary marker and then, taking a side-hill approach, passes through mature open forest. Climbing steeply in sections, the trail enters the upper elevation softwood forest and crosses areas of wet, open bedrock where occasional views are available to the south and east. Passing over a low knoll, the trail enters a blowdown area and soon emerges at the summit.

For more details: Trailfinder: Gore Mountain

Nulhegan River Trail – Moose Bog Trail , Brunswick, VT – 1 mile Loop Hike, 1 Mile Out and Back, elevation gain 134 feet

Travel time from pavilion to trailhead is about 15 minutes. This will be two 1 mile hikes. Estimate Total time: 2.5 hours

The Nulhegan River Trail is an easy 1 mile loop hike, elevation gain 134 feet. The trail starts at the scenic granite overlook and descends to the Nulhegan River. The trail parallels the Nulhegan River for roughly 0.5 mile before gradually ascending back to the Nulhegan Basin Office. The trail is composed of gravel and native materials. The grade varies from moderate to gradual.

For more details: Nulhegan River Trail

The Moose Bog Trail is an easy 1 mile out and back hike, elevation gain 36 feet. The trail heads into the woods along a mainly flat ridge. The compacted-rock dust trail is 3+ feet wide and has resting areas along the way. Above Moose Bog, the trail turns left to descend two switchbacks down to the bog. The trail then follows a boardwalk to an accessible wildlife viewing platform with views over the bog. The trail travels through boreal spruce-fir forest with opportunities to see and hear many northern species of birds and other wildlife.

For  more details: Trail finder: Moose Bog Trail

Bluff Community Trail (KHT), Brighton, VT – 3.5 Miles, elevation gain 1,447 feet

This is considered a moderate hike, though there is one steep climb. It is about a 5 minute ride from the pavilion to the trailhead. Estimated Total time: 2.75 hours

From the trailhead, the path climbs through a red pine plantation and then increases its slope as it climbs through a mixed hardwood forest. The trail winds along several small ridges and outcrops before turning northward and intersecting with the historic Lookout Trail at Lookout Junction. The main trail continues north, passing through a younger forest and soon reaches the Ridge Junction. Continuing beyond the Ridge Junction, the main trail begins to climb more steeply up stone steps and switchbacks where it eventually reaches the mountain heights. Winding along a ridge, the trail offers limited views of the Nulhegan Basin and surrounding areas and soon reaches a junction with the Lookout Trail directly ahead and a short spur to the summit on the right. Following the Lookout Trail 0.1 miles to a lookout of Island Pond.

For more details: Trailfinder: Bluff Community Trail

Middle Mountain (KHT), Norton, VT – 7.5 Miles, elevation gain 1,857 feet

A moderate hike to the summit of Middle Mountain. Travel time from pavilion to trailhead is about 15 minutes. Estimated Total time: 6.0 hours

Depending on which trailhead is used, this hike can have a gradual climb to a more aggressive climb, crossing a couple small streams until the junction of the Kingdom Heritage Trail. Once on the KHT we will ascend to the summit of Middle Mountain. After a break at the summit we will descend. It is about a 15 minute ride from the pavilion to the trailhead.

For more details: Trailfinder: Unkown Pond / Middle Mountain Trail

Thank you to Kingdom Heritage Land Managers and the town of Brighton