Hike Island Pond Trails Day

NEK GMC & Brighton Recreation

Saturday June 20, 2026

Brighton Town Pavilion – 8:00am

Join the Northeast Kingdom Section of the Green Mountain Club and Brighton Recreation as we celebrate the 7th Anniversary of the Grand Opening of the Kingdom Heritage Trail. We will lead guided hikes on some of the area’s great trails! Some hikes will lead to summits, while others will explore forests and streams.
 
 

Hike Details (pre-register for hikes below hike descriptions)

Bluff Ridge Trail, Warrens Gore, – 11.1 miles, elevation gain 2212 feet, hike time: approx. 7 hours

A difficult hike because of the distance. This hike starts at the Unknown Pond Trailhead following the Unknown Pond Trail to the junction of the KHT. From there it heads south eventually connecting to the Bluff Community Trail. There are several viewpoints and 3 summits (Bluff Low, Bluff, Bluff South) along the way.

The Bluff Ridge Trail is a portion of the Kingdom Heritage Trail. The trail was first conceived in 1998 but didn’t become reality until 2001, when the Green Mountain Club became corridor manager for hiking trails on the former Champion Lands and then 2010 when NorthWoods Stewardship Center crews constructed the first sections of trail on the north side of Middle Mountain. With support of the partners- Weyerhaeuser, Sweet Tree, the Town of Brighton, VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Nature Conservancy, and Vermont Land Trust- the Kingdom Heritage Trail system now rambles over 20-miles of Northern Forest terrain. The trailhead is about 15 minute ride  from the Island Pond pavilion.

Middle Mountain Trail, Norton, VT – 7.1 miles, elevation gain 1805 feet, hike time: approx. 5 hours

A moderate hike up and over Middle Mountain. The hike begins on the Gore Mountain Trail with a gradual climb, crossing a couple small streams until the junction of the Kingdom Heritage Trail. Once on the KHT we will ascend, stopping at Split Rock, then continuing to the summit of Middle Mountain (3.4 miles). There will be glimpses of Gore Mountain along the way. After a break at the summit we will gradually descend the other side through evergreen forests and ferns. We will stop at Bear Ledge viewpoint about 1/10th of a mile before the junction with the Unknown Pond Trail. The trailhead is about 20 minute ride  from the Island Pond pavilion.

For more details: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/middle-mountain-trail

Bluff Community Trail (KHT) and Lookout Trail, Brighton, VT – 3.1 Miles, elevation gain 1,216 feet, hike time: approx. 3 hours

A moderate out and back hike with a loop possible on the Lookout Trail (metal rungs and a very steep ascent if the Lookout Trail is chosen). 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. Depending on a group vote the leader will either continue on the Bluff Community Trail or take the Lookout Trail. 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 view of Island Pond. The trailhead is about 5 minute ride  from the Island Pond pavilion.

For more details: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/bluff-mountain-community-trail

North Branch Trail, Lewis, VT – 4 Mile, elevation gain 259 feet, hike time: approx. 3.5 hours

An easy loop hike in the Silvio O Conte National Wildlife Refuge. 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. The trailhead is about 15 minute ride  from the Island Pond pavilion.

For more details: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/north-branch-trail

Northwoods All Persons Trail, Charleston, VT – 0.76 Miles, elevation gain 65 feet, hike time: approx. 1.5 hours

An easy loop hike in the Northwoods Stewardship Campus. 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. The trailhead is about 15 minute ride from the Island Pond pavilion.

For more details: https://www.northwoodscenter.org/wordpress/trails/all-persons-trail/

Pre- register for Hikes

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Hikes currently being offered

• Bluff Ridge Trail - 11 miles (difficult)
• Middle Mountain Up & Over - 7.1 miles (moderate)
• Bluff South Summit - 3.1 miles (moderate)
• North Branch Trail - 4 miles (easy)
• All Persons Trail - .67 miles (easy)

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