Hiking Trails

Here is information about Trail access & Parking, Suggested Hikes, Rules of Use and the Trail Maps for High Ponds Farm, Moosewood Ponds, High Meadow, Burnt Mountain and Bear Paw Pond Conservation Area.

Summer + Fall

The Hazen's Notch Association maintains a network of 15 miles of trails and woods roads for hiking in Summer and Fall. These are part of a larger network of 24 miles of trails that are maintained in Winter for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the Hazen's Notch/Jay Peak area of northern Vermont.

The trails pass through a variety of interesting habitats that include meadows, forests, orchards, and beaver ponds. Trails range from restored woods roads that have gentle to moderate grades to narrow footpaths with steep climbs. There are numerous splendid views of the Jay Mountains in addition to the incredible beauty of the wildlfowers and wildlife that one sees along the trails. Pack a lunch and water as you will find several picnic tables at popular destinations such as the Moosewood Ponds, the High Meadow, Little Rock Pond and Bear Paw Pond. Bring a camera and/or binoculars. Most of the photographs on this website were taken while walking, skiing and snowshoeing on the Hazen's Notch Association trails.

Suggested Hikes

High Ponds Farm, Moosewood Ponds, High Meadow, Burnt Mountain
478 Rossier Road (2 miles East of Montgomery Center)

Bear Paw Pond Conservation Area
1000 Hazen's Notch Road (1 Mile East of Montgomery Center)

TRAIL RE-OPENING: At the High Ponds Farm, from the junction of the Notch Trail and the Sunset Ridge Trail, the Notch Trail is open over a new bridge that was completed August 10, 2021  East of the new bridge, the Notch Trail has been mowed to the junction with the Lower Window Rock Trail.  The Lower Window Rock Trail descends through beautiful woods to a refurbished bridge (August 2022) over Flood Brook and connects to the Beaver Ponds Trail near the lowest beaver pond at the entrance to the High Ponds Farm. This 1.5-mile loop is described in the one-page "Suggested Hikes".  See the Trail Conditions page.

Hazen's Notch Association Trails
Nordic Skiing and Snowshoeing

Skiers + Snowshoers

Winter Trails 2023: The trails are open from December 12, 2022 to March 30, 2023, after which they are closed during Spring Mud Season.

Winter

The Welcome Center is not staffed and is not open.  There is no charge to use the HNA trails.  Donations are welcome.  Winter access to HNA trails is limited to the Welcome Center parking area and the Bear Paw Pond area parking.  The High Ponds Farm access is closed to parking during snow storms so that the Town and private snowplowing trucks may pass.  In Winter dogs are prohibited from all areas within the trail network.

15 trails provide loops of different lengths for cross-country skiing and/or snowshoeing.  Trail difficulty is evenly divided between easy, moderate and difficult. As the trails are not groomed, skiers should choose to use wider, backcountry skis if possible.

Reviews

Zen-like hike in a pristine refuge. It feels like you are a million miles away from civilization. Mr. Arturo, 05.27.2012

I am so happy to have discovered this place and can't wait to come back when there is more snow! I should add that despite the lack of snow this winter the trails all had adequate coverage. The terrain is perfect- not too steep, the views are lovely and the warming hut is a great cozy place for lunch on a 0 degree day! (January 19, 2012)

Great XC skiing trails and wonderful hike up Burnt Mountain with views of Hazens Notch on top.
Hannah Halbreich (06/07/2020)

"One of my favorite places on the planet"
"High Ponds Farm at Burnt Mountain on Hazen's Notch is a beautifully (and minimally) managed cross-country ski and hiking area in Montgomery Center, Vermont. I'm not a skier, but spending countless hours hiking (or leisurely walking) on the trails in the summer, late spring and fall is a highlight of any day. Hanging out in the High Meadow in the Fall looking at the foliage or munching on an apple from the orchard, or in the summertime amidst the wildflowers, or sitting on a rock watching beavers swimming around in a beaver pond, or walking on a trail deep in the lush green forest, is akin to a religious experience in my book. I can't say enough about the beauty and peacefulness of this lovely place.

Janis Hess, Feb 2015

The trails of the Hazen's Notch Association are on privately-owned land. Landowners have given permission for limited public access for hiking from mid-May to mid November and for cross country skiing and snowshoeing from mid December to the end of March. In Winter access all trails from the HNA Welcome Center on Route 58.  For a map of the trails, go to the website: hazensnotch.org and follow the link to "Trail Map". You can print the map before leaving home or see the map on your portable device as you hike.

The High Meadow

The distance from the entrance to the High Ponds Farm to the Moosewood Ponds is only 0.25 mile, to the High Meadow only 0.5 mile. There is a very fine panorama of Jay Peak, Big Jay and Little Jay from the High Meadow. The upper or back of the meadow has a mowed "lawn" against a backdrop of tall spruce and fir trees. In the foreground and on Sugar Hill to the west are many sugar maples.

Lower Window Rock Trail to Notch Trail to the High Meadow

One can make a loop with the Notch Trail to the east and back to the parking lot via the Lower Window Rock Trail. That loop is 1.5 miles and takes not more 90 minutes, longer if enjoying the views from the meadow where there is also a picnic table. From the entrance to the High Ponds Farm, follow the Beaver Ponds Trail past the first beaver pond on your right. The next left is the Lower Window Rock Trail. Cross Flood Brook on a wooden bridge and ascend to the Notch Trail. Turn right and follow to the High Meadow. Return via the High Meadow Trail and the Beaver Ponds Trail.

High Ponds Farm to Bear Paw Pond

From the Welcome Center walk east on Route 58 for 1 km (.6 mile). Turn right and walk up the Rossier Road to the High Ponds Farm following the Beaver Ponds Trail. At the junction with the High Meadow Trail, stay right on the Beaver Ponds Trail, passing a picnic shelter that overlooks the Moosewood Ponds with the fine view of Burnt Mountain. Continue on the Beaver Ponds Trail over gentle switchbacks to the saddle between Sugar Hill and Rossier Hill. From there it is a moderate descent to the Old Sugar House at the junction of Beaver Ponds Trail, Sugar House Trail and Dark Entry Trail to the beautiful Coyote Meadow with views of the Jay Mountains. The adjacent Bear Paw Pond Conservation Area next to the meadow has picnic shelters and the pretty Bear Paw Pond. Continue 5 minutes further diagonally across the meadow and you will descend to Route 58, the Hazen's Notch Road. Turn right and walk a short distance to the Welcome Center. That loop is 3 miles.

Burnt Mountain

From the entrance to the High Ponds Farm, follow the Beaver Ponds Trail to the junction with the High Meadow Trail. Turn left on the High Meadow Trail and continue to just past the wood sheds. Turn left and walk along the stonewall to the Notch Trail. Turn left on the Notch Trail and then right at the junction with the Sunset Ridge Trail. This trail is a woods road until it reaches the west-running ridge. It becomes a footpath to the main ridge where the trail turns right and continues through a stand of Mountain paper birch (Betula cordifolia) on its way to the wooded summit and to the panoramic view beyond. The view was discovered in 1989 by Rolf Anderson who created the original route and the current route.

HNA Conservation Land Management Information

All of the trails, parking areas and lands described in the text and depicted on the maps on the pages of this website are on private land. Your ability to access these areas is at the discretion of the Hazen's Notch Association and the respective landowners. These private lands are being managed first and foremost as nature preserves. Conservation land management goals prioritize the protection of all natural resources including soils, water, animal and plant life.  Recreation is limited to hiking in summer and fall and to skiing and snowshoeing in winter. The HNA will restrict recreation access if necessary to minimize threats to natural resources and other human impacts on these lands.

Rules for Use of Area / Trails

Please observe all trail and area use rules. They are posted at the trail access parking areas and on signs along the trails. Fires, camping, motorized vehicles, swimming and fishing are not allowed.

Dogs must be on a short leash at all times. In addition to minimizing conflicts between other people and their dogs, the leash rule is intended to prevent dogs from harassing wildlife which use the trails and adjoining areas as travel and feeding corridors as well as sites for raising their young.

Note that retractable "flexi-leads" are inadequate for controlling your dog. With 12 to 15 feet of lead, a dog can catch and kill a small animal before the owner even realizes that their dog is doing more than sniffing in the vegetation along the trails. Hermit thrush, for example, will regularly nest as few as 12" above the ground and within a few feet of the edge of a well-travelled trail. Fledgling grouse, as yet unable to fly more than 3 feet high or more than a distance of 12 feet, can be easy prey for a dog. Hikers who do not observe the HNA dog leash rule will be asked to leave.

For a complete list of rules, please see Visitor Information

Important Information about Access to Trails

 

Please be aware that all HNA trails, parking areas, access roads, and all adjacent lands are private property. Access is at the discretion of the Hazen's Notch Association and the respective landowners. The trails and parking areas are open during daylight hours only. Do not drive past any gates even if left open. Gates that are open are open for the convenience of the private landowner and are not an invitation to drive beyond the gate.

Group Visits:

Please note that while the HNA Trails are open to the public at no charge, a fee is charged for groups. This includes school, home school, church or other community groups. This includes both non-profit and for-profit groups and whether your visit is self-directed or facilitated by HNA staff. There are many costs associated with the management of trails that are open to the public. Group use fees and membership contributions help the HNA to meet these expenses. Please contact the HNA to arrange your group visit.   Thank you.

Visitor Information: 

For Travel Directions, a Locator Map of trail access parking areas, & complete area use rules, see Visitor Information