Battell Trail
- Length
- 1.8 mi
- Climb
- 1,720 ft
- Time, one way
- about 1 h 55 min
- County
- Addison
- Difficulty
- Strenuousestimated
- Surface
- dirt
- Segments
- 3
Download GPX for a GPS app or watch
About this trail
The Battell Trail climbs the western side of Mount Abraham from Lincoln. It passes through a sugarbush, crosses a brook on planks, and zigzags up a steep slope to reach the Long Trail near Battell Shelter. From there the Long Trail climbs to Abraham's open, alpine summit with views into three states. The Green Mountain Club puts the round trip to the summit at about 5.8 miles with roughly 2,500 to 2,600 feet of climbing, with rocky scrambles in the last stretch.
Good to know
- The summit is alpine tundra: the plants cannot survive being stepped on, so walk only on rock.
- Lincoln Gap Road is closed in winter, which makes this the usual winter route; the end of the access road is not maintained then.
Written by VTHiking from Green Mountain Club, Battell Trail to Battell Shelter, Green Mountain Club, How to Hike the VT 5 and Vermont Trail Finder, Mount Abraham: Battell Trail, checked Oct 24, 2026. Distances in this text are the source's own; the figures above are measured from the mapped line and can differ.
Where to park
We haven't confirmed the fee at the lot below yet. Check posted signs when you arrive.
Walking distances follow the mapped trail network. They are not a route, they ignore slope, and they are not driving directions.
Elevation
Climb, time and difficulty are estimates worked out from the mapped line and USGS elevation data, not measurements or official ratings. Time assumes about 2.5 mph plus an hour per 1,500 ft climbed.
Shelters and campsites
1 mapped within about 500 ft of the trail, listed north to south. Brown dots on the map. Check the land manager's rules before relying on one: some need a fee, a reservation or a permit.
- Battell Shelter Lean-to
Management
- Network
- lwn
Other trails nearby
Trail geometry and attributes from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation from USGS 3DEP. Lengths are computed from mapped geometry and are approximate. Safety disclaimer.