Hiking Mount Pisgah with kids...Tips!

We hiked Mt.Pisgah on Mother's Day, May 11, 2025. It was Mom's (that's me) choice on what to do for the day and Pisgah was calling my name. First off, I highly suggest taking a least one hike in the earlier spring like we did. There is nothing more grounding than witnessing the forest change from browns to vibrant variations of greens after a long and cold winter. I was truly in aww as you tend to forget how lush Vermont is in the spring/summer seasons. We did the South Trail and there was plenty of parking spots (along VT-5A) when we arrived. The weather was pure perfection. We started off in sweatshirts and were all in t-shirts by the end of the trip. There were zero bugs at that time which I'm sure has changed now that the black flies and mosquitos are out.  The hike starts off by going over a wooden bridge that goes over a beaver pond. Then as you make your way into the woods you will discover huge boulders where I suggest you stop and snap a family picture or two. Always climb on them with caution as they are BIG! My goal was to make it to Pulpit Rock so we could embrace the views of Lake Willoughby. What a view it was as Willoughby has beautiful blue waters on this end of the lake. Please do take caution at Pulpit Rock however as the rock overhangs a cliff that's about 500' up from the lake. My kids stayed plenty far back from the rock and they could still enjoy the views. Once we enjoyed the view, the kids decided they wanted to keep going. We continued on for another .4 miles before my two youngest decided they had had enough. We did not make it to the summit which was ok as I hear there are no views up there and I never want to push the kids too far. 1.3 miles was already fantastic and more than I expected them to do. Remember when hiking up a mountain that you have to make the trek back down so don't overdo it with your littles. If they are feeling done, let the hike be done. We want them to enjoy hiking and not leave hating it. We took one last break on a large boulder to have a snack and then made the hike back down.  We were stopped for a bit by a snake lurking in the path. That was fun for some but not for others. Note: A few of us (including me) do not care for snakes😬. The hike down was just as beautiful as the hike up. Once we got back down to the beaver pond my kids spent a few minutes enjoying it by trying to skip a few rocks. Then we ventured back to the car. Once we got in the car, we decided we didn't want the fun to end and took a quick car ride up 5-A to enjoy the winding drive that runs alongside Lake Willoughy . There are several waterfalls to enjoy along the way that are a must see. We also made a quick stop at the "Willoughby Lake Store." It's a must stop. They have just about everything from fishing supplies, basis groceries/snacks, liquor, souvenirs and ice cream!

I would say this was a moderate trail for kids. It was not too steep where we went but there are plenty of roots and rocks here and there on the trail. My kids are not seasoned hikers by any means though and they had no difficulty on this hike. They are 5, 11 and 14 years old. To be honest, when the kids asked me what I wanted to do for Mother's Day and I told them I wanted to hike...I heard a lot of groans. However, the second we got on the trail they mentioned how awesome it was and that it was a great idea. It turned out to be one of our favorite family adventures-just another reminder of how many hidden gems there are when you take the time to explore the "Wonders of Vermont."

Trail info: South Trail, Mt.Pisgah. Near Lake Willoughby.

Distance Covered: 1.3 miles (2.6 total as went down the way we came up)

Time it took: 2 hours

Trail Difficulty: Moderate for kids

Trailhead Location: On the side of Route-5A

Family friendly? Definitely! We saw many people with children and their dogs as well.

Tips: Always pack bug spray and sunscreen. Dress in layers as in the forest it can be cooler, especially in the early Morning and also in Spring & Fall. Wear sneakers. Pack water bottles or CamelBak's and SNACKS! Pause, breathe and embrace the scenery around you. Take pictures but remember to enjoy the moments as well.

Tips for Hiking with kids: Take breaks, several. Short breaks for water and longer breaks for snacks. If you are taking a longer hike, pack a lunch! Make it fun for them by letting them pick out their own spot for their next break. Whether it be a cool rock/boulder or spot near a stream/brook. Create a game to play as you hike! My two youngest made a game out of counting all of the dots (trail markers) on the trees as they made their way up and down the trail.