Snake Mountain Hike Guide

Updated July 14, 2026

Snake Mountain is one of the best short hikes in the Champlain Valley — a moderate climb of about 4 miles round trip to an open summit (roughly 1,300 feet) with a sweeping view west over Addison County's farm fields to Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. Plan on 2–3 hours at an easy pace. The trailhead is a short drive from Whitford House in Addison, which makes the cottage a comfortable base for an early start.

The hike at a glance

• Distance: about 4 miles round trip.
• Time: roughly 2–3 hours.
• Difficulty: moderate — a steady climb on old woods roads and trail, not technical.
• Payoff: a wide, open view west across the valley to the lake and mountains.

Trail details vary by route and season — confirm the current trailhead, parking, and conditions on a resource like the Green Mountain Club or AllTrails before you go, and note that Snake Mountain is a state Wildlife Management Area, so hunting seasons apply in fall.

What you'll see at the top

The summit is unusually open for Vermont, thanks to a large concrete slab — the foundation of a 19th-century summit hotel — that now makes a fine viewing platform. On a clear day you look straight down onto the patchwork of Addison County farms, across Lake Champlain, and out to the Adirondack High Peaks. It's a spectacular spot in fall foliage.

When to go

Spring through fall are all good; autumn is the standout, when the valley below turns color (see the foliage itinerary). Go early to have the summit to yourself, and bring water and layers — the top can be breezy.