Vermont's 'Footpath In The Wilderness' Is A Historic Trail Beloved By Solo Female Hikers

Vermont may not look big on a map, but as the Long Trail proves, there sure is a lot of it. This hiking route extends from the Canadian border in the north to Massachusetts in the south, winding its way along the spine of the Green Mountains for 272 miles. The terrain is an endless succession of ancient mountains, each densely covered in forest. While they're not particularly tall, their trench-like trails are a challenge to traverse, and it's no wonder Vermonters refer to out-of-state visitors as "flatlanders."

The Long Trail is also the oldest continuous footpath in the United States, completed by the Green Mountain Club in 1930 and pre-dating the full Appalachian Trail by seven years. Actually, about 100 miles of these two systems overlap, so the Long Trail is usually replete with thru-hikers. Many people recognize "Long Trail" as the name of a Vermont-based brewery, not realizing that these much-loved ales and IPAs take their name from a rugged path. The Green Mountain Club refers to it as a "footpath in the wilderness," and they aren't wrong.

But the Long Trail has another claim to fame as well: It has long been a haven for outdoorsy women. Since its founding — and well before the can-do advocacy of Second Wave Feminism — female hikers have taken to the Long Trail to prove their mettle, savor independence, and just get some fresh air. This legacy is just one reason the Long Trail is considered one of the best long-distance hiking trails in the world.

Way back in 1927, three friends decided to hike the full length of The Long Trail. They would later be known as "The Three Musketeers," and they successfully traversed the entire way, winning headlines in various newspapers. This achievement might not have merited much attention, except that they were three women, "without male escort or arms," as one journalist is said to have put it. Their names were Hilda Kurth, Kathleen Norris, and Catherine Robbins, and they crossed Vermont on foot at a time when most women weren't even allowed to run in track and field events. The trail wouldn't be finished for another three years, so walking its length probably required some detours; still, it took them only 30 days.

That legacy continues (and proliferates) today. In 2021, outdoorswoman Hannah Goodman wrote a blog post for The Trek about solo-hiking The Long Trail. At the age of 17, Goodman hiked alone for five days on The Long Trail. "Becoming comfortable hiking as a young solo female has been an empowering process," she wrote, anticipating a solo thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.

The Long Trail is a great place to start, because it's both challenging and doable. Four weeks is a long time to muscle through forest, but hikers could just sample different sections or tackle the entire length in stages. You don't have to contend with elevation sickness or grizzlies, as you do in the Rockies, and Vermont has a reputation for safety. In 2020, the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security published a study called "The Best and Worst States to be a Woman"; Vermont was rated the fourth best state in the country. The Green Mountain State is also gorgeous: Vermont is full of scenic drives, and hiking is even more immersive than road-tripping.

The Long Trail does have its challenges for hikers of any gender identity. Vermont is cold and snowy much of the year; the long spring is locally described as "Mud Season," due to heavy rains and soupy soil. The mosquitoes in Vermont can be maddening in summer, especially near bogs and wetlands. Like so many New England walking paths, the Long Trail has largely worn down over the years, and the way is filled with rocks and roots. Vermont is dotted with towns, so you're bound to find places to resupply without much trouble, but you will have to prepare for a good number of "bonus miles" along the way. Cell service is patchy, especially in the highlands, which can sometimes unnerve solo hikers.

The good news is that The Long Trail is well-marked and easy to follow, and you're likely to run into friendly fellow travelers along the way. Dozens of overnight sites are reasonably spaced, and in many places, hikers are permitted to wild-camp as long as they follow certain rules. A good number of private cabins and huts are available as well, so you can maintain your rustic regimen while also showering off and sleeping in a cozy bed. The Long Trail is a terrific training ground for longer expeditions — such as the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest — but there's no rule that says you have to do the whole thing. A night or two in the Green Mountains can work wonders.