I'm a bit partial to this hike since I spent three summers stewarding and guiding on this trail, but the Quechee Gorge Loop in Quechee, Vermont is a quick, beautiful hike steeped in geological and anthropological history. It descends 156 feet into the gorge. On the way down you can see the glacial striation in the schist rock, a remnant of the Laurentide Ice Sheet and Glacial Lake Hitchcock that once dominated the land. You will also see evidence of the 2023 flood that completely wiped the trail out with water levels of over 50 feet. In the fall, bright blazing foliage lines the trail and it feels like walking through a psychedelic wonderland. On the back side of the loop is a massive white pine stand and a few wise old maples. The ostrich ferns grow up to six feet tall and make the area feel like a jungle in the middle of New England.
In the summertime, you might even be lucky enough to catch a few hot air balloons soaring overhead. You can also traverse the Gorge Bridge, the oldest steel arch bridge. Today, Route 4 runs across the bridge, but in the 1900s it served as a railway bridge, connecting the towns of Woodstock and White River Junction, and also servicing the Dewey Wool Mill that sat on the edge of the Ottauquechee River. As an outdoor enthusiast, I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to do this hike because it is pretty quick and simple. However, the surrounding area is full of fun things to do and if you find yourself there, it's worth checking out!
