Green Mountain Club
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.
Coffee hour between 8:00am and 9:00am at the Brighton Town Pavilion with coffee and treats from Three Branches Cafe. Sign up for hikes will happen during coffee hour or you can pre-register below, there is a limit of 10 people per hike. At 9AM we will carpool to the trailheads.
We all love our pets and most of our pets love hiking. We may offer a pet friendly hike this year (details to come).
Several of these hikes meet and follow the Kingdom Heritage Trail (KHT)
Hike Details (planning and hikes in progress, stay tuned)
North Branch Trail, Lewis, VT – 4 Mile, elevation gain 259 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
Northwoods All Persons Trail, Charleston, VT – 0.76 Miles, elevation gain 65 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
Bluff Community Trail (KHT) and Lookout Trail, Brighton, VT – 3.1 Miles, elevation gain 1,216 feet
This is considered a moderate hike, though there are metal rungs and a very steep ascent if the Lookout Trail is chosen. It is about a 5 minute ride from the pavilion to the trailhead. Estimated Total time: 3 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. 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 of Island Pond.
For more details: Trailfinder: Bluff Community Trail
Thank you to Kingdom Heritage Land Managers and the town of Brighton
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Join us for fun and adventure! We are a welcoming group and enjoy spending time with people of all hiking abilities.
Contact us for more information. gmcnek@gmail.com
Monadnock Trailhead Closed
Please be advised:
The trail closure on Monadnock Mountain remains in effect. There's still a "NO TRESPASSING" sign on the gate at the gravel pit, although it is easily overlooked when the gate is open. The continued presence of an old trailhead parking sign at this location only adds to the confusion over its status, but a person working at the gravel pit confirmed to me that this trail is still closed.
As some of you may be aware, there is an alternative route that avoids the gravel pit, but I wouldn't recommend using it at this time. It follows a private right of way that encroaches on a nearby dwelling. While this property isn't posted, its owner has expressed no interest in encouraging public access to their land. Please respect this choice and find another mountain to hike for now. Thank you!
