Waterbury Trail
Reaches Mount Hunger (3,553 ft).
- Length
- 1.8 mi
- Climb
- 2,250 ft
- Time, one way
- about 2 h 15 min
- County
- Washington
- Difficulty
- Strenuousestimated
- Surface
- dirt
Download GPX for a GPS app or watch
About this trail
The Waterbury Trail is the main route up Mount Hunger in C.C. Putnam State Forest, starting from the lot on Sweet Farms Road in Waterbury Center. It climbs a steady slope through the woods, and near the top the trail turns to open rock that takes some scrambling. The bald summit looks east, south and west over almost the whole Green Mountain range, including Camel's Hump, Mount Mansfield and Killington. Hunger's summit is linked by the Skyline Trail to Mount Worcester and Stowe Pinnacle.
Good to know
- A popular trail: go early or on a weekday, and pick another hike if the lot is full.
- The open rock near the summit is slick when wet or icy.
- Sweet Farms Road is plowed in winter, so the trailhead can be reached year-round.
Written by VTHiking from Vermont FPR, C.C. Putnam State Forest and Vermont Trail Finder, Mount Hunger: Waterbury 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.
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.