Stowe-Area Hiking: Stowe Pinnacle

Hike Details

  • Skill Level: Moderate
  • View Trail Map
  • Type: Half-day hike
  • Distance: 3.6 miles
  • Time: 2.5 hours
  • Climb: 1,520’
  • Trailhead Location: Upper Hollow Rd, Stowe, VT 05672 (3.6 mile hike round-trip) or Pinnacle Heights Rd, Stowe, VT 05672 (2.6 mile hike round trip). From the historic village, take School Street for 0.3 miles. Bear right at the fork onto Stowe Hollow Road, continuing straight onto Upper Hollow Road about 2.0 miles from the historic village. Parking for the Stowe Pinnacle Trail is about 0.6 miles from the beginning of Upper Hollow Road. There is a secondary parking area at Pinnacle Meadows, which is off of Pinnacle Road (turn left just before the Stowe Pinnacle parking lot).

 

About the Hike

Stowe Pinnacle is a moderately difficult hike in Stowe Hollow which leads to one of the most photographed viewpoints in Vermont, and is a great day hike that will leave you feeling accomplished and in awe of  the Green Mountains’ incredible beauty.
Stowe Pinnacle can be hiked one of two ways: either from the trailhead on Upper Hollow Road (3.6 miles round-trip) or from the Pinnacle Meadows lot, which shortens the full hike by about a mile (2.6 miles round-trip). 

The Stowe Pinnacle Trail from Upper Hollow Road starts off at a comfortable incline as it weaves through thick Vermont forest. The trail becomes steep in parts with a few rocky sections where some scrambling is required. Follow the blue blazes for a mile until the trail forks, then follow the signs for Stowe Pinnacle. Make note of which trail you came up to ensure you head back down the same way. Eventually, you will reach a steep set of stairs to the Pinnacle view-point. Climb the rocks and make your way around to the top of the rockface to find a nice spot to relax as you admire the breathtaking views of Camel’s Hump, Mount Mansfield, the Worcester Range and the Sterling Range.
Hiking from the Pinnacle Meadows lot is a bit easier than the full Stowe Pinnacle Trail as it is a bit shorter The first portion of the hike follows an old fire road that takes you to the Pinnacle Meadow, an open clearing with great views looking back at the valley behind you, including Mt. Mansfield. Proceed further, and the trail changes over to the more classic-style of Vermont hiking trail, with rocky inclines, thick forest, and rooty steps, as it winds and eventually intersects the Stowe Pinnacle Trail. Follow the same steps, above, to reach the Stowe’s famous rocky viewpoint and snap all the pictures your camera can hold. Don’t forget to tag your photos with the hashtag #gostowe!

Additional Hiking Resources

Flip through the full Stowe Hiking Guide, download it to your device or continue to browse other local hikes.