Vermont Guides
Vermont's most iconic summit — 4,083 feet, no ski resort, pure alpine ridge — 35 minutes from the inn in Shelburne.
Camel's Hump is the summit that appears on the Vermont state seal and in the silhouette that defines the Green Mountains when seen from the Champlain Valley. At 4,083 feet, it's Vermont's third-highest peak — and the highest that remains entirely undeveloped. No ski resort, no toll road, no gondola. Getting to the top requires hiking, and the hiking is genuine: 2,500 to 2,800 feet of gain from any trailhead, exposed alpine rock on the upper mountain, and a summit that feels earned in a way that Mansfield's toll-road access cannot quite replicate.
The trailheads are approximately 35–40 minutes from Heart of the Village Inn in Shelburne — making Camel's Hump one of the closest 4,000-foot peaks to the inn and a realistic day hike for guests in good physical condition. Plan for a full day: 5–7 hours round trip from the trailhead, plus drive time.
The most direct approach to the summit is via the Burrows Trail from the Couching Lion Farm trailhead on Camel's Hump Road in Huntington. The trailhead is accessible from Shelburne via US-7 North and Huntington Road — about 35 minutes. From the trailhead, the Burrows Trail climbs 2.7 miles to the summit ridge, where it meets the Long Trail; total round trip is 5.4 miles with approximately 2,600 feet of elevation gain. This is the shorter and more popular route, though it's no easier for being shorter: the gain is steep and sustained, and the upper half of the mountain is above treeline on exposed rock.
The Monroe Trail approach from the Camel's Hump State Park trailhead on Camel's Hump Road in Duxbury is longer but gives a gentler lower-mountain experience before the steep upper section. Accessed from Shelburne via I-89 North to Exit 9 (Richmond) and then east on local roads — about 35–40 minutes. The Monroe Trail is approximately 3.5 miles each way, for a 7-mile round trip. The ridge section in the upper mile is shared with the Burrows Trail and the Long Trail. This approach sees slightly less traffic and is preferred by those who want a longer, more immersive hiking day.
The summit of Camel's Hump is an exposed rock outcrop above a band of alpine tundra — the same fragile plant community as on Mansfield's ridge. Cairns and paint blazes mark the route above treeline; trails are clear. The summit views encompass Lake Champlain to the west, the Adirondacks beyond, and the Green Mountains running in both directions. On a clear day, Mount Washington and the White Mountains are visible to the northeast. The summit is typically cold and exposed to wind regardless of conditions in the valley below; bring layers even in July.
Camel's Hump State Park charges a day-use fee; confirm current rates with Vermont State Parks before visiting. Both trailhead parking areas can fill on summer and fall weekends — arrive by 8 AM for a reliable spot. The mountain is managed by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation; the Green Mountain Club maintains the Long Trail section across the summit.
Timing: The upper mountain typically holds snow into May and can see early season conditions in October. Check the Green Mountain Club's trail conditions report (greenmountainclub.org) before your hike in spring and fall. Summer (late June through August) offers the most reliable weather, though afternoon thunderstorms are common — plan to be above treeline in the morning and descending by midday.
What to bring: Water (no reliable water sources on the upper mountain), food for a full day, rain layer, extra insulation, trekking poles (optional but useful on the steep descents), and sturdy boots. Trail runners work on the lower sections; the upper rock requires footwear with grip.
4,083 feet — Vermont's third-highest peak and the highest without a ski resort. The distinctive double-hump silhouette is visible from Burlington and the Champlain Valley.
The Burrows Trail (Huntington, west side) is the most direct — 5.4 miles round trip, 2,600 feet of gain, about 5 hours. The Monroe Trail (Duxbury, east side) is longer at 7 miles but gives more gradual lower-mountain terrain. Both are strenuous.
Trailheads are approximately 35–40 minutes from the inn. Huntington (Burrows Trail) via US-7 North and Huntington Road; Duxbury (Monroe Trail) via I-89 North to Exit 9 and east on local roads.
Yes. All approaches gain 2,500–2,800 feet over steep terrain, and the upper mountain is exposed rock above treeline. Bring layers, water, food, and sturdy boots. Not suitable for inexperienced hikers.
Heart of the Village Inn is Vermont's only adults-only (21+) B&B in Shelburne Village — 35–40 minutes from Camel's Hump trailheads. Made-from-scratch breakfast to fuel a summit day, free on-site parking, and a quiet Vermont inn to return to afterward.
Book Now ↗Vermont's highest peak at 4,393 feet — summit toll road, alpine tundra, and Long Trail ridge walking, 45–50 minutes northeast.
The dramatic cleft on Mansfield's north side — towering cliffs, boulder caves, and Sterling Pond hiking.
Valley hiking and lower-elevation trails for early season — Shelburne Farms, Red Rocks, and the Champlain Bikeway.