Sugarbush isn’t just a winter destination — come summer and fall, the resort has a full network of hiking trails at Lincoln Peak, free for anyone to explore. After our stay at the Liberty Hill Inn in Rochester, our family enjoyed a midday hike up halfway up the mountain to stunning views and a perfect picnic spot.
Our Hike: Lower Jester to Allyn’s Lodge
We had perfect weather for a sun-and-shade stroll up the Lower Jester Trail to Sugarbush’s mid-mountain lodge, Allyn’s Lodge. The trail starts at the bottom of the Super Bravo lift and climbs about 2 miles one-way, gaining roughly 1,600 feet along the way — a decent workout, but a manageable one broken up by switchbacks and plenty of places to pause.
With the trails in full bloom and lined with ferns, we took in views around every corner while getting some of our boys’ energy out. The route winds up the work road, criss-crossing the trail Organgrinder, where you can catch beautiful views of the Mad River Valley below. Eventually the trail leads to you Allyn’s Lodge — a great place to picnic and use the bathroom.
Fun Fact: Allyn’s is uniquely open to the public year-round, 24/7 as part of an agreement the builders had with both Sugarbush and US Forest Service. While Sugarbush runs services out of it in the winter, folks can seek shelter there at any time of day (or night!).
From the Lodge, you can either turn around and hike back down or keep going on Upper Jester to the summit of Lincoln Peak, for even more expansive view of the Champlain Valley. Due to our late start and tired legs, we called it there and made our way back down, which, true to form, took about a third of the time as the climb up.
Pro tip: If you’ve got hesitant hikers, play a little game of hide-and-seek along the way to break it up and cut down on the “are we there yets.” It’s our family’s go-to trick on walks and hikes and ends up a ton of fun.
Other Hiking Options at Sugarbush
Lower Jester isn’t the only trail worth your time at Lincoln Peak. Sugarbush maintains routes for every level, all free to hike and open daily through the summer season. A few standouts, pulled from Sugarbush’s own trail guide:
Beginner
- Lollipop Loop — 1.1 miles, 100 ft. of elevation gain, about 30 minutes to an hour. A flat, easy loop that follows Clay Brook near the base — a good pick for very young kids or a quick pre-dinner walk. Great for a winter snowshoe, too!
- Super Bravo Loop — 1.0 mile, 750 ft. of gain, about 45 minutes to an hour. Short but loops around the lower mountain and under the Super Bravo lift. A good tester for little legs.
Intermediate
- Sleeper Road to Castle Rock Runout Loop — 3.1 miles, 750 ft. of gain, about 1.5–2 hours. Climbs to the top of the Gate House lift for views over the base area and Mad River Valley before looping back down.
- Gatehouse Woods Loop — 2.5 miles, 750 ft. of gain, about 1.5–2 hours. Half wooded singletrack, half ski trail — a nice mix of terrain for families who want more of a “real trail” feel.
Advanced
- Lower Jester to Allyn’s Lodge — the trail we hiked (details above).
- Top of Heaven’s Gate from Allyn’s Lodge — 2.0 miles round trip from the lodge, 700 ft. of gain, about 1.5 hours. Continues past Allyn’s up to a summit observation deck with 360-degree views and access to the Long Trail — a good add-on if your crew has more miles in them.
Expert
- Castle Rock Summit — about 6 miles round trip, 2,300 ft. of gain. A serious undertaking best suited to older kids and experienced hikers, ending at the Castlerock Hut with sweeping views to the east.
Pro tip: On select holidays, Sugarbush runs the Super Bravo lift for hikers, giving you a boost partway up the mountain — a nice option if you want bigger views and less climbing, or if you’re visiting during leaf-peeping season and want to maximize time up top.
Tips for Hiking with Kids at Sugarbush
- Download the trail map first. Sugarbush recommends grabbing the online trail map before you head out, since cell service can be spotty on the mountain.
- Stay clear of active operations. Some areas near mountain operations and construction zones are off-limits — signage will point you the right way.
- Pick a trail that matches your crew’s stamina. With options from a 30-minute flat loop to a 6-mile summit push, it’s worth matching the trail to your kids’ ages and energy levels rather than defaulting to the most scenic one.
- Bring water and snacks, and a first-aid kit. There’s no services once you’re on the trail — pack accordingly, especially for the longer routes.
- Build in a turnaround point. We hiked to Allyn’s Lodge and turned back rather than pushing further — a good strategy if you’re not sure how your kids will hold up partway through.
- Stay for lunch or dinner! Rumble’s Bistro in the base area was hosting lots of local lunch-goers when we arrived, and has a gorgeous patio with mountain views. Or check out the new Clubhouse at the Golf Course.
Whether you’re looking for a quick loop near the base or a full-day summit hike, Sugarbush’s trail network makes it easy to find a solid hike fit for your family. Check the full trail guide before you go, get prepped with us, and lace up!
Sarah Wojcik founded All Mountains Mamas in 2012. Becoming a mother in 2017, she grasped the opportunity to share her passion of skiing and snowboarding with families across the U.S. Formerly the Director or Marketing and Communications for Ski Vermont and associate editor, art director and marketing for Ski Area Management magazine, she writes with great knowledge of the ski industry and from the point of view of a mother working to get out on the slopes with two kids in tow. Sarah is currently the proud owner of Vermont’s #1 family fun resource, FindandGoSeek.net.