The Equinox Pond, Equinox Pond Rd, and the Pond Pavilion are on private property owned by the Equinox Resort and are not a part of the conserved lands forming the Equinox Preserve.
IMPORTANT NOTICE – Liability: The State of Vermont has long maintained a policy of encouraging private landowners to make their land and water available to the public for recreational uses. Private landowners, such as those who own lands on the Equinox Preserve, who allow recreational users to enter their property at no cost have no duty to inspect their land to discover dangerous conditions and shall not be liable for personal injury or property damage sustained by such recreational users unless the injury or damage is the result of the wanton or willful misconduct of the landowner. Thus, non-paying recreational users take the land as they find it and are expected to exercise due care for their own safety. A full copy of the statute is found here.
Easy loop through beautiful hardwoods around Equinox Pond on a level woods road. Please note: The Equinox Resort may close a portion of the Pond Loop Trail during special events at the Pond Pavilion (most often May-October), if the Resort anticipates there may be a potential conflict between trail users and those attending an event.
Hiking, Cross-country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding
Cross over trail between the Red Gate and Equinox Pond Loop on rolling woods roads.
Hiking, Cross-country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding
A wide, flat and easy trail that hugs the 1200’ contour line from the Red Gate trail to the Black Gate.
Hiking, Cross-country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding
A connector trail off the Pond Loop to the Southern Vermont Art Center Loop through lands owned by the Vermont chapter of The Nature Conservancy as well as private landowners.
Hiking, Cross-country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Mountain Biking
The Snicket (an English word for narrow, winding path) is a lovely walk through mature forests that were farm fields a century ago. Look for the stonewall — evidence of a time when the land was cleared for farming.
Hiking, Cross-country Skiing, Snowshoeing
Shortcut connecting the Trillium Trail with the Red Gate Trail.
Hiking, Cross-country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Mountain Biking
A steep, but brief climb leads to Robin’s Lookout. From here, there are spectacular views of Equinox Pond, the Battenkill Valley and the Green Mountains to the east.
Hiking, Snowshoeing
This trail narrows and ascends steeply along a series of stone stairs through lovely hardwoods to meet the Mountain Bluff Trail. As the slopes here are very steep and sensitive to human impact, please stay on the trail.
Hiking
(Commonly known as the Burr & Burton Trail) From the Red Gate, this trail ascends for a long distance on a rather steep woods road to the Upper Spring (half-way point), then becomes a narrow hiking trail, ascending steadily through high elevation forests, and eventually reaching the summit.
Hiking & Snowshoeing on the entire trail, plus cross-country skiing, and mountain biking BELOW THE TRILLIUM TRAIL ONLY. Horseback riding is permitted only up to the point where the Red Gate trail departs to the left (south).
Beginning from the Trillium Trail and crossing the Blue Trail, this trail follows a gently sloping woods road, eventually descending steeply to the SVAC Loop.
Hiking, Snowshoeing
This trail loop follows rolling woods roads through lands owned by the Vermont chapter of The Nature Conservancy.
Hiking, Cross-country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Mountain Biking
With steep ascents and descents, this is a challenging trail. The trail climbs to an elevation of 1580 feet, then runs pleasantly along the contour before descending to the south and joining the Pond Loop.
Hiking, Cross-country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Mountain Biking (as permitted by The Nature Conservancy).
All trails are open for pedestrian use. The Equinox Preservation Trust may close some trails temporarily for repairs or to protect them from damage during muddy conditions.
An enlarged trail map is on display along with copies of the handy pocket guide & trail map, updated program information and special notices.
Informational kiosks greet visitors at both entrances to the Preserve. A third kiosk is located near the trail connector at the rear of the Equinox Hotel parking area.
Naturalists have long held Mt. Equinox in high esteem for its beauty and natural diversity, a valued source of study by botanists and ecologists since the late 1800s.
A variety of mammals populate the slopes of Mt. Equinox, protected by the thick natural cover and food sources that the forest provides.
