Sterling Pond Trail in Stowe, VT

We went to Stowe this past weekend to research my final three Vermont hikes for the Dog Hiking New England guide I’m working on. With a June 30th deadline coming right up, this trip was happening, rain or shine.

Rain we got and wet hikes we had, but there was a silver lining; two of the hikes included waterfalls. Flowing in abundance during rainy seasons, these falls were powerful and spectacular. Additional benefits included dramatic photos of fog hovering over calm water, vibrant orange-red bark from peeling birch trees, and tiny waterfalls seemingly everywhere.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll share three incredible hikes we discovered in Stowe, and I’ll start with the 2.3-mile out-and-back Sterling Pond Trail.

Located off Vermont Route 108, also known as Smuggler’s Notch, this narrow pass through 1,000 foot cliffs in the Green Mountains includes a steep and winding road lined with massive boulders, balancing in remarkable ways. Across from the trailhead is Smuggler’s Cave, which was used to hide contraband during the early 1800’s when trade with Canada was prohibited. Smugglers would cross The Notch with donkeys and horses carrying supplies, hiding themselves within the large caverns of the towering boulders. Transporting illegal goods through The Notch continued into the 1920’s during the height of prohibition, when an improved road allowed for automobiles.

There are two large parking lots for the Sterling Pond Trail: the first is just south of the trailhead on the right and the second is just beyond it on the left, near the Smuggler’s Cave Information Center and bathroom.

The trail begins with a steep ascent up a long section of stone steps.

The trail continues to steadily climb, following a stream bed with small waterfalls alongside the path most of the way.

There is an abundance of birch trees here and we found pieces of it’s orange-red bark all over the trail.

At just under a mile, you’ll reach the junction with the Long Trail. Go left and follow it down some rock ledge before arriving at the mountaintop pond. Our view was socked in with fog, but lovely none the less.

The pond is stocked with trout and we did run into two boys with fishing poles. Add some mileage by following the 1.4-mile loop around the pond. Or continue past the pond, along the Long Trail Nouth, to the top of the chairlift at Smuggler’s Notch Resort.

This hike is a must-do if you’re visiting Stowe. Let me know if you make it here!