Two Winter Hikes Not to Miss in Woodstock, VT
Woodstock, Vermont is a perfect year-round destination, but there is something extra special about this town in winter. Think perfect outdoor snowy adventures paired with cozy dining spots, craft cocktails, and cute local shops.
Sharing two of my favorite Woodstock hikes that are perfect for winter and also offer some beautiful views!
View of downtown Woodstock from the top of Mount Tom
Winter hiking is a great way to get outside and enjoy the snow! These two hikes offer a moderate amount of elevation gain, with a steady uphill climb but no drastic inclines making them perfect winter hikes for beginners too. The trails are located just minutes from the center of Woodstock and the trails well labeled. Cell service is also available while on both trails so I felt very comfortable hiking each of these trails solo.
Mount Tom
Mount Tom is easily my favorite hike in Woodstock! The hike offers an incredible view of downtown Woodstock from the top and the trails are easy to follow.
To reach the parking area for the hike, map to the Billings Farm & Museum. You’ll find plenty of parking here. During the late fall and winter months (from November - February), the museum is open on weekends and makes a great post hike stop.
From Billings Farm & Museum you will cross the street to the Marsh-Billings Rockefeller National Park and walk up the main driveway.
Note that the visitor center and museum are closed during the winter months so there are no restrooms available on-site. From the main driveway you will find the Mountain Road trail on the left.
This is a multi-use trail groomed trail open to hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Hikers and snowshoers should be mindful to not step in the set tracks for skiers, keep to the edge of the track, and allow skiers the right of way. Because the trail is groomed, snowshoes are not needed. There are also side trails you can take that are only open to skiers or snowshoers, so plan to bring snowshoes if you are looking to adventure off the groomed trail.
I took the groomed Mountain Road trail out to the Pogue which is a small body of water with scenic views. This is also where the Mountain Road trail intersects with the Pogue Loop trail which is a loop trail, so you also have the option for some additional steps. From the Pogue I then headed back and followed the signs pointing to Mount Tom, taking the Mount Tom Road trail.
As someone who always gets lost hiking, I love how easy it is to follow the trails here. I did the hike solo and felt very comfortable navigating the trails as they were well marked and there are very few turns. The trails are popular so you are likely to see others out on the trail. I hiked the trail on a weekday and while I did spot a couple other hikers and skiers I was mostly by myself.
Once you reach the top of Mount Tom there is a nice bench to stop at where you can relax and have a snack. The views are amazing from the top and I love how you get a perfect view of the town. It’s a lot of fun locating all of the buildings and Middle Covered Bridge which is in the center of Woodstock. In the winter, there is also a giant star at the top of Mount Tom, which you can see glowing at night from the town center.
To make your way back, you will follow the trail the same way you hiked to the top, making it about 4.5 miles round-trip.
Quick Trail Recap:
About 4.5 miles round-trip; out and back hike
Groomed multi-use trail open for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing
No on-site bathrooms in winter
Dogs welcome on leash
Trails are free to use
Micro-spikes were not needed on my visit but I always recommend packing a pair just in case
Mount Tom Trail Winter Map; source: https://www.woodstockinn.com/sites/default/files/2020-01/Mt%20Tom%20Trail%20Map.pdf
Mount Peg
Make your way to the Woodstock Inn Nordic Center which is the home base for your adventure. The Nordic Center is open for both snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Rentals are available as well as cross-country skiing lessons. You’ll also find restrooms, lockers, and a store with outdoor gear like gloves, hats, and sunglasses as well as energy snacks. There is a daily use fee for the trails and the store is also where you will purchase your trail pass.
The fee ranges from about $15-$40 depending on age, whether you’re from Vermont or out of state, and day of the week you visit. I paid $40 for a weekend, adult, out of state day pass.
Snowshoes are required on the trails in winter. If you don’t have snowshoes you can rent them from the Nordic Center. While I have been snowshoeing many times, this trail is great for beginners because it’s well traveled and the snow is packed down nicely, making the trek a bit easier to the top.
The trail takes you across the open field from the Nordic Center and into the woods on a narrow trail, crossing a couple bridges along the way. The trail itself meanders across the mountain with a fairly steady climb, but it’s not too steep. Unlike Mount Tom, the trails at Mount Peg are single use, with separate trails for snowshoers and cross-country skiers. You are likely to see other snowshoers and skiers (as the trail intersects the ski trail several times on the way up). The trails are also super well labeled with yellow markers on the trees, so it’s very difficult to get lost.
The top of Mount Peg provides some beautiful views at 1,080 feet and you can see all the way over to Mount Tom (just look for the star). You will also find a picnic table and some benches at the top where you can enjoy a moment of relaxation and take in the views.
To make your way back to the Nordic Center, you will take the same trail you did to reach the top. The trail is downhill almost the entire time on the way back. It’s about 3.5 miles round trip from the Nordic Center to the top of Mount Peg and back.
Quick Trail Recap:
About 3.5 miles round-trip; out and back hike
Option to snowshoe or cross-country ski to the top; rentals available
Restrooms, lockers, and a store on-site
Dogs are not allowed on the trails
Trails require a fee to use ($15-$40 depending on age and day of the week visited)
Open Daily 9 am - 4 pm
Mount Peg Winter Trail Map; source: https://www.woodstockinn.com/sites/default/files/2020-01/Mt%20Peg%20Trail%20Map.pdf
Tips for Winter Adventures!
If you’re new to winter hiking and snowshoeing, I recommend these tips to make sure you have a fun experience:
Pack and wear layers: It may be cold outside but you’re going to warm up quick as soon as you get moving. Layers are key for regulating your temperature and making sure that you have a fun day. I recommend packing or wearing the following (do not wear cotton):
Wool base layer
Fleece jacket or fleece vest
Synthetic insulted jacket
Wind resistant jacket
Gloves and mittens - at least two pairs
Hat or fleece headband
Wool socks (pack an extra pair in case your feet get wet)
Waterproof boots
Wear sunglasses: Especially on a sunny day, it can be bright out there with the sun reflecting off of the snow. I recommend wearing a good pair of sunglasses (polarized if you have them).
Bring water and snacks: Water and snacks are key for any hike as you want to make sure you stay well hydrated and have options for extra energy as needed. I always pack at least 32 oz of water for my hikes and have an apple or a protein bar at the ready (I love GoMacro protein bars and Orgain protein bars).
Pack microspikes (if hiking): Icy patches or icy trails can be common in winter and a good set of micro spikes can really make sure that you stay safe and have an enjoyable hike. I like to bring microspikes with me on all my winter hikes just in case I need them. I have a pair of Kahtoola Microspikes which cost about $75. They are well worth the investment as I purchased mine over 10 years ago and they are still going strong.
Check the trail conditions: Make sure to see the latest trail conditions before starting out on your adventure. You can find the latest trail conditions for these two hikes on the Woodstock Nordic Center Website. For other hikes, I recommend checking out the latest conditions on AllTrails.
