Underhill: Hiking Trails and Ski History at Mt. Mansfield

At Mt. Mansfield, Underhill brings together hiking history and today’s outdoor experiences. Underhill State Park lies on the mountain’s western slope and provides direct access to hiking trails, including the Sunset Ridge Trail and the Laura Cowles Trail. There is also a long ski history, a mountain bike trail loop, and winter ice skating. This gives you a range of interests to consider for your trip.

Hiking Trails on the Western Slope of Mt. Mansfield

Underhill State Park is a convenient starting point if you want to explore trails on Mt. Mansfield: it provides direct access to trails on the mountain. The Sunset Ridge Trail and the Laura Cowles Trail are two of the options mentioned. Plan your hike using the information you need for the particular trail, and don’t choose based on the name alone.

The park’s camping areas also have a distinctive location on the mountain: the Halfway House was a hotel built near the current camping area. The upper camping area is listed as having seven lean-to sites and two tent sites. Access is important for planning: all campsites can only be reached from the parking lot by a short walk; you cannot drive right up to the sites. If you want to combine camping and hiking, consider this difference when choosing your accommodation.

Ski History and Current Activities

Underhill has two notable connections to the history of skiing. In 1924, the first alpine ski trail, The Teardrop, was established on the Underhill side of Mt. Mansfield. In addition, cross-country skiing in Vermont began in Underhill Center. These two stories relate to different forms of skiing and make the area interesting to anyone curious about their development as well as the activities themselves.

If you prefer getting around on two wheels, there is a mountain bike trail loop behind Underhill Central School. It is open to the public Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., as well as on weekends, holidays, and days when school is not in session. These listed hours are key to planning your day. In winter, Moore Park offers another way to enjoy the outdoors: you can ice skate there every winter. The skating rink offers views of Mount Mansfield.

A Market and a Schoolhouse as Other Discoveries

The Old Fashioned Harvest Market is held annually on the last full weekend in September at the United Church of Underhill. If you want to plan your stay around this market, this recurring time frame offers a specific reference point for trip planning. It is different from the activities at Underhill State Park and Moore Park, which appeal to other interests: hiking, biking, or ice skating may play a different role in your trip than a visit to the market.

Another option with clearly defined hours is the District No. 5 Schoolhouse. It is open Saturdays from May 23 to October 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This means you can include a visit alongside outdoor activities in your plans. If you are traveling with your family, it is worth weighing everyone’s interests together: should the focus be on trails on Mt. Mansfield, ski history, a mountain bike ride, or seasonal offerings? These preferences can provide a practical guide when choosing a vacation rental or vacation home in Underhill, without assuming any particular accommodation or amenities.

Discover More Places

You can also discover South Burlington, Williston, Colchester, Burlington, Essex Junction and Shelburne as other places to visit.

For the broader travel overview: Chittenden.