Departing north from US 4, this section of the Vermont Long Trail splits from the Appalachian Trail at the Maine Junction at Willard Gap. As it treks north past the Ralston Rest shelter, the feel and ruggedness of the LT’s path changes considerably. From here on, the route narrows and it treads over more rocks and roots as it climbs.
Heading northwest towards Brandon Gap, the route skirts the contours of several Green Mountain summits, but scales none. All the same, the LT does challenge hikers with an undulating and rugged route on this stretch, gaining just over 4,000 feet of elevation while losing about the same. Look for occasional westward views as the route criss-crosses through gaps and saddles en route to the section end at VT 73.
Shelters: Tucker Johnson, Ralston Rest, David Logan Hut, Sunrise.
-Mapped by Berne Broudy, AuthenticOutdoors.com
MORE LONG TRAIL MAPS
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To Trailhead
Start: From Rutland, head east on US-4 for 8.2 mi to parking on right.
End: From Brandon, head northwest on VT-73 for 7.2 miles to parking on right.
