Located in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Mount Pisgah is a popular hiking destination that provides hikers with rewarding views of the fjord-like Lake Willoughby (Vermont’s second deepest lake) and the spectacular nearby mountain scenery. Easily reachable from most places in Vermont, Mount Pisgah also makes a great hiking day trip from Montreal or Sherbrooke (Québec). There are several trails you can take to reach the summit, so to help you plan your outdoor adventure here we put together this Mount Pisgah Hiking Guide, which will include details on trail difficulty, how long you can expect the hikes to take, and the various viewpoints the trail offers.
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Mount Pisgah Location and Map
Mount Pisgah is located within Willoughby State Forest, itself located in an area of Vermont known as the Northeast Kingdom, approximately comprising Essex, Orleans, and Caledonia counties, near the state borders with both New Hampshire to the east and the province of Québec to the North.
Note: There’s another popular Mount Pisgah hike in North Carolina, so be sure to specify Vermont when researching the hike.
How to Get to Mount Pisgah
The easiest way to reach one of the Mount Pisgah trailheads is by car.
From Montreal (Québec): about a 2h15 drive (200 km)
From Sherbrooke (Québec): about a 1h15 drive (95 km), depending on if you are leaving from the town of Mont-Tremblant or the ski resort area.
From Burlington (Vermont): about a 2h drive (90 miles)
From Montpelier (Vermont): about a 1h15 drive (60 miles)
From Boston (Mass): about a 3hr drive (200 miles)
If you need to book a rental vehicle for your hiking excursion, we highly recommend using Discover Cars to get the best rates on your rental in Montreal.
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About Mount Pisgah and Willoughby State Forest
The main draw to the area is no doubt the spectacular Lake Willoughby with Mounts Hor (2648 feet) and Pisgah (2751 feet) that rise on its western and eastern shores. The highest peak in the state forest is Bald Mountain at 3315 feet and Lake Willoughby is Vermont’s second deepest lake (after Lake Champlain), with a maximum depth of 308 feet, making it one of the deepest lakes in the northeastern United States. The lake valley, which was carved by glaciers millennia ago giving it a notable fjord appearance, is also often referred to as the Lucerne of America due to its marked beauty and similarity to Switzerland’s Lake Lucern.
Mount Pisgah Hiking Trail Access, Fees, and Parking
Trail access & parking fees: As we alluded to earlier, there are multiple ways to reach the Mount Pisgah summit. All trails are free to use and car parks are free as well.
Trail opening Hours: All trails are open year-round with 24 access.
Trailhead & car park locations:
1) Mount Pisgah via Long Pond Trail: This is the least frequented of the trails. It’s longer than the others but not as steep. The car park is small (<10 cars) and easy to miss.
2) Mount Pisgah Via North Trail. Our favorite trail. The car park is also small (road lay-by, about 10-12 cars) and tends to fill up quickly.
3) Mount Pisgah Via South Trail. The busiest and most popular route, primarily because of the larger car park (30+ cars), spots are available on both sides of the road.
Facilities: There are chemical toilets available at the south trail parking lot. Additional toilets can be found (summer only) at the car park at the southern end of the lake.
Mount Pisgah Trail Details and Map
We haven’t hiked Mount Pisgah via the Long Pond Trail, so we won’t comment much on it further. It’s an out-and-back trail that is 8.5 km ( miles ) in length with a cumulative elevation gain of 348 m ( feet). For more details, we recommend consulting its AllTrails page. For the rest of this guide we will focus on the Mount Pisgah South and North Trails.
Mount Pisgah Via South Trail
Distance: 6.6 km (4.1 miles)
Route Type: Out & back
Elevation gain: 450 m (1475 feet) (cumulative elevation gain: 504 m)
Start point: Car Park
AllTrails rating: (4.7, 1991 ratings (2024))
Duration: Most people complete the trail in about 2h45h-3h15
Mount Pisgah Via North Trail
Distance: 7.7 km (4.8 miles)
Route Type: Out & back
Elevation gain: 480 m (1575 feet) (cumulative elevation gain: 517 m)
Start point: Car Park
AllTrails rating: (4.7, 820 ratings (2024))
Duration: Most people complete the trail in about 3h-3h30
Not an AllTrails member yet? We highly recommend signing up for either their free or paid membership plans. The free plan allows you to find new trails and plan routes but it can only be used while hiking if you have access to mobile data. The paid membership plan (AllTrails+) allows you to download trail maps for offline use and provides live progress updates and off-route notifications.
If you are still uncertain – you should know that the All Trails mobile application was voted the 2023 iPhone App of the Year by Apple.
Other Mount Pisgah Trail Details
– Canine companions: Dogs are permitted on leashes on both trails.
– Summit: Mount Pisgah summit is located at an altitude of 849 m (2785 feet).
– Trail environment: Forest (you will be under tree cover for most of the trail).
– Number of viewpoints: Both trails boast 4 main viewpoints near the summit (two North Overlooks, the West Overlook, and the South Overlook). The south trail has an additional viewpoint near the halfway mark of the ascent (Pulpit Rock).
– Trail Surface / Technical trail: Although the trail path isn’t a very well-manicured one, it isn’t known as a very technical trail either. While several sections are quite rocky and with numerous tree roots, these sections aren’t overly challenging and don’t really affect your pace. The trail’s difficulty primarily comes from the steep ascent gradient.
Several trail sections can be quite muddy after rain.
– Average trail slope grade: 15% (south trail), 13.5% (north trail)
– Trail difficulty level assessment: Both trails would qualify as Moderately Challenging, with the South Trail being slightly more difficult due to the more pronounced slope.
(based on our personal assessment, taking into account the trail length, slope grade and trail surface – 5-point difficulty scale: Very easy, Easy, Moderate, Moderately Challenging, Challenging)
Mount Pisgah Trail Description and Summary
Don’t worry about getting lost along the trails, they are fairly easy to navigate and it’s almost impossible to take a wrong turn somewhere as there are numerous signposts along the way.
Mount Pisgah Via South Trail
Ascending Mount Pisgah via the South Trail is the more challenging of the two options: you’ll climb roughly the same elevation as you would via the North Trail but over roughly 15% less distance, making it the steeper of the two trails.
The ascent can roughly be divided into 5 parts: 1) Shortly after you leave the car park, you’ll cross between two small ponds and the path will stay relatively flat for the first half kilometre (0.3 miles).
2) You’ll climb a steep slope for the next kilometre (0.6 miles); it’s during this section that you will cross the first viewpoint: Pulpit Rock.
3) Then the path will plateau again and stay relatively flat for about half a kilometre (0.3 miles), 4) which will be followed a fairly steep (about a 30% grade) and unrelenting ascent over the next kilometre (0.6 miles), and 5) finally the summit and viewpoints section, were you well gently descend and cross 4 well-marked different viewpoints over the next half kilometre (0.3 miles).
Once you have enjoyed the viewpoints, you simply head back the way you came.
Mount Pisgah Via North Trail
Overall, the North Trail is very similar to the South Trail, with the main exception being that the ascent is on average less steep.
The North Trail is best divided into 4 parts: 1) A sharp but short ascent from the trailhead for about 0.3 km (0.2 miles), 2) a plateau with a very gentle ascent over the next kilometre (0.6 miles), followed by a steady climb over the next 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) that includes several switchbacks, and 4) finally the summit and viewpoints section, were you well gently ascent and cross 4 well-marked different viewpoints over the next kilometre (0.6 miles).
We once hiked the North Trail during misty and foggy weather, which created a fun eerie forest environment.
The drawback of hiking in that weather is that you run the risk if not having much to see at the summit! So to avoid this scenario be sure to check the weather ahead (we didn’t mind as we had hiked the trail several times before).
Which Mount Pisgah Trail to Choose?
We prefer the North Trail primarily because it is easier on the knees during the descent and also because the trail is the less busy of the two. Although the trail is a kilometre (0.6 miles) longer than the South Trail, people finish both trails in about the same amount of time. The main issue with the North Trail is the limited parking. We generally recommend to try and find a parking spot at the North Trailhead, and if there’s no space just head to the South Trail. Even if the trail is slightly more challenging, you’ll be rewarded for your efforts with the additional Pulpit Rock viewpoint.
Alternatively, if you are part of a group and have two vehicles, you can park one at each trailhead. If this is possible for you, we recommend ascending the steepest trail (South Trail) and descending the other (North Trail).
Mount Pisgah Hiking & Trail Tips
– During the peak summer and fall months, the parking lots can fill up quickly, particularly on weekends. Try to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon to guarantee a spot.
– Mosquitoes and black flies can be a nuisance at certain times during the year. The exact dates vary from year to year, but they are generally most present from mid-May to mid-July. Regardless of when you come, it’s always a good idea to carry some bug spray with you, just in case.
– Stick to the designated path to protect the surrounding environment.
– Best time to visit: We tend to prefer hiking in this area from mid-August to early November. The weather will be pleasant and the likelihood of being harassed by bugs is significantly reduced. Moreover. Note that trails are quite busy during the weekends of the leaf-peeping season (typically from late September to mid-October), so it’s best to arrive early or to try to come on a weekday.
The trail is also very beautiful come winter, but we haven’t tried it ourselves that time of year.
Hiking Packing List
All Trails subscription – This comes in really handy for areas with little or no cell reception, as the annual subscription allows you to download trail maps for offline use.
External Battery – If you are using your phone to track your progress along the trail or to help with navigation, you certainly don’t want your phone to die on you. That’s especially true in the unlikely event that you might get hurt or need assistance.
Hiking poles – These can be particularly useful in steep trails or muddy/boggy trail conditions.
What Else to Do Around Mount Pisgah
Check out The Lake Willoughby Shoreline Trail
There’s a trail that hugs the southern lake shoreline and offers fantastic views of the lake. Although the trail continues along a part of the western shoreline, we don’t particularly recommend following it as it is a very rocky and technical trail with little reward in terms of viewpoints once you leave the shoreline. The trail also passes by a small rocky beach area known as the Southwest Cove (an area known to be frequented by nudists). As you can see from the pictures below, it’s also a great spot to head out onto the water with some paddleboards.
To reach the trail and southern coastline, you simply need to get to the large parking area immediately south of the lake.
Spend Some Time on the Beach
If it’s a warm day, you might want to head to Lake Willoughby North Beach. It’s not very large, but it’s a nice sandy beach that rarely gets too busy.
Drive Along the Lake’s Eastern Shore.
If you are coming from the north you will likely drive down this road anyways. If coming from the south, you might want to add this short drive to your itinerary, it’s a short scenic drive, with a few pullouts, including one by a small waterfall.
Hike Mount Hor and Wheeler Mountain
If you are looking to do another hike while in the area, the next two most popular hikes to do in the area are the Wheeler Mountain Trail (which takes about 2h30 to complete) and the Mount Hor Trail (which takes about 3h to complete). Both trails climb to summits on the western shore of Lake Willoughby (opposite Mount Pisgah).
Where to Stay Near Mount Pisgah
If you would like to overnight or spend the weekend in the area, the most immediate options are one of the several campgrounds around the lake. The most popular is the White Caps campground near the southern end of the lake. Alternatively, there’s the Will-O-Wood Campground near the northern end of the lake. Regarding hotels, the nearest one is about a 30-minute drive south, the Comfort Inn & Suites Near Burke Mountain in St. Johnsbury (VT).
If you would like to grab snacks or supplies before undertaking your hike, your best bet is the Willoughby Lake Store. The best for prepared food is The Gap Pub & Grill, less than a mile north of the lake.
Want to Discover More Hiking Trails In Southern Québec?
You might be interested in these pages:
Best Hiking Trails Near Mont-Tremblant
Best Hiking Trails Near Montreal
Best Hiking Trails in the Eastern Townships
Quebec Hiking Trails that Are Stunning in Winter
Photography Gear
If you like our photography, you might be interested in some of the gear we use to shoot our travel and hiking destinations.
Camera Body – Nikon Z 6ii Fx-series Mirrorless Body
Main Lens – NIKON 24-120mm F/4G ED VR AF-S
Zoom Lens – Sigma 745-306 150-600mm f/5-6.3
Polarizing filters – Urth Circular Polarizing (CPL)
Camera Tripod – K&F Concept 64-inch Camera Tripod
Mini-tripod – Lammcou Flexible Camera Tripod
Camera/hiking backpack – Vanguard Alta Rise 48 Backpack
Universal Travel Adapter – VYLEE Universal International Power Travel Plug
Other Travel Essentials
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Car Rentals
Discover Cars is our go-to website for car rentals. We almost always find our preferred rate there.
Transfer from Airport
Welcome Pickups is our favourite private transfer service, which you can pre-book at a fixed price. Currently available in 220 cities all over the world (mostly in Europe, but with several major cities in Asia, the Middle East and the US).
Kiwitaxi is another private transfer service – we haven’t tried it yet, but it’s currently available in a few more countries (102 as of 2024).
Hotels and Accommodations (coming soon)
Photography Prints
If you found this blog useful, you can help support our blog by purchasing low-cost digital prints. Printed physical prints are also available for purchase.
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Well, that wraps it up! We hope you enjoyed our Mount Pisgah (Vermont) Hiking Guide and that it will prove useful for planning your hiking trip.
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