The narrow, winding path through Smuggler’s Notch in the northern Green Mountains is as rugged a road as any in Vermont. Massive boulders mark the inside of every horseshoe curve, and steep cliffs rise up from either side of the road.
Perched high above the easternmost cliff of Smuggler’s Notch in Stowe is a beautiful high mountain lake known as Sterling Pond. This is the ideal spot for a picnic or a summer swim, but you’ll have to work to get there.
Sterling Pond is tucked into a thickly forested alpine basin between Spruce Peak (3,330 feet), which is part of Spruce Peak Resort, and Madonna Peak (3,610 feet), which is part of Smuggler’s Notch Resort.
The spring-fed pond is a small refuge of beauty between these high-mountain developments, and while Sterling Pond Trail is popular, doing it as a loop means you’re likely to find some solitude along the wooded shores and trails on the far side of the lake.
Quick Facts: Sterling Pond Trail in Cambridge, VT
Length: 3.3-mile loop
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Estimated time: 2 hours
Elevation Gain: 1320
Dogs: Yes
Cost: Free
Maps: Trail Finder, AllTrails (the linked map shows the out-and-back route)
Getting there: Google Maps
No matter what time of year you choose to hike the Sterling Pond Trail, it’s a calf-burner, but if you hike in the summer, you can reward yourself with a dip in the frigid waters of this alpine lake. It’s sure to be an unforgettable experience!
Featured Read: AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont
Written by Tara Schatz and Jen Lamphere Roberts, this fully revised guide includes classic hikes such as Camel’s Hump, Mount Mansfield, and sections of the Long and Appalachian trails, along with new additions Raven Ridge, Killington Peak, Moose Bog, and more.
Whether you’re looking for an exploration of nature or to bag a 4,000-footer, AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont is indispensable.
Also Read: Best Hiking in Stowe VT: Easy to Moderate Trails
Hiking to Sterling Pond: The Details
First, if you are following AllTrails for this route, know that they don’t have the exact trail I’m describing within their ‘curated trails’ list. The 3.3-mile loop described here uses the Sterling Pond Trail, then loops around the pond on the Long Trail before cutting back over to the Sterling Pond Trail and back to the trailhead.
Let’s do this!
Sterling Pond Trail begins opposite the Smuggler’s Notch Visitor Center and ascends the east wall of Smugglers’ Notch.
Follow the steep flight of rock steps and the blue blazes, which quickly lead to a break in the trees and a view of 1,000-foot cliffs across the narrow valley.
These steep crags were exposed by mile-thick glaciers that plowed through Smuggoler’s Notch for thousands of years, gouging and scraping their way southward. Today, landslides and toppling rocks are part of the normal geomorphic activities shaping and reshaping the notch.
Sterling Pond Trail traverses the steep hillside above the notch for a short distance before turning up a rocky drainage area. The trail here is a mix of roots, dirt, and steep rock steps, interspersed with stream crossings.
As you climb in elevation, you’ll enter a cool spruce-fir forest with a distinct boreal vibe. After climbing for a steep mile, you’ll come to a clearing. This is Snuffy’s, part of the Long Trail and a ski trail in the winter.
Turn left to follow the Long Trail to Sterling Pond. If you are hiking with dogs, be sure to leash them at this point to protect this sensitive area. Views from the western shore are expansive across the water to the prominent ridge of Madonna Peak.
It’s as good a place to swim as any, but you’ll find a few more spots as you hike around the lake.
Follow the Long Trail north, crossing a log bridge across the pond’s outlet and climbing onto a ridge above the pond.
The trail weaves through thick shoreline woods and then ascends from the pond to traverse a wide, grassy opening. Pass the Sterling Mountain chairlift and look for white blazes on the opposite side of the lift.
Pass Sterling Pond Shelter at 1.3 miles and look for the blue-blazed Elephant’s Head Trail. At the fork, turn right for a view of Mount Mansfield across Sterling Pond, and then return to take the left fork to continue around the pond.
Elephant’s Head Trail circles the eastern end of Sterling Pond. You’ll pass a few more rocky beaches for swimming before ascending away from the pond and weaving through thick forest, past moss-covered boulders, and over thick slabs of rock with foothills chipped away for a better grip.
The trail passes through a narrow notch of rock before making a final steep ascent and connecting with the Long Trail once again.
Turn right to follow the Long Trail north for 0.3 miles of easy walking to the top of Sterling Pond Trail. Turn left to return to the trailhead the way that you came up.
Tips for Enjoying Your Hike to Sterling Pond
This hike is not difficult, but it’s steep in some sections, and there are a lot of roots and rocks to contend with. You’ll find yourself looking down a lot to get your footing right. Here are a few tips for making your hike to Sterling Pond memorable for all the right reasons.
- The road through Smuggler’s Notch is closed in the winter. Sterling Pond Trail is best hiked between Memorial Day and mid-October, and you may need Microspikes in October for better traction.
- Hike to Sterling Pond on weekdays and start early. This is one of the most popular trails in the region. To avoid crowds, plan to start your trek early (7 am) or hike during the work week. It’s especially busy in early to mid-October.
- Use AllTrails+ so you can download your maps for offline use. Cell service is spotty up here, so if you’re using AllTrails for navigation, be sure to download your map before heading out. AllTrails+ is $35.99 per year and well worth the cost.
- Use trekking poles. When navigating steep trails like Sterling Pond Trail, I highly recommend using trekking poles to help you maintain stability and balance while reducing the load on your knees. I hike with trekking poles (at least one) on all but the easiest trails.
- Wear the right shoes: The first part of the trail is very rocky, with ample opportunities to roll or twist an ankle, so it’s important to wear shoes with a sturdy sole and good grip. This is not the trail for flip-flops or sandals.
- Pack the ten essentials. Here’s an overview of the items you should bring with you on every hike.
- Pack out your trash. Like the rest of the Long Trail, this route doesn’t have trash disposal, so remember that anything you bring up will have to come back down with you. Want to be a good trail ambassador? Bring a small garbage bag to clean up trash left by less thoughtful hikers.
- Leash dogs in sensitive areas. The Green Mountain Club places strings along the trail to protect sensitive areas from heavy foot traffic. Restrain your dogs when hiking near the pond.
- Be careful going down! Although it feels like going up is the real challenge, going down the steep rocky part of the hike can be just as strenuous, and a fall on those steps would be a fast way to ruin your hike.
- Pack plenty of water. The steps are a killer workout and I’ve found that the best way to conquer them is by going slow and drinking often. Expect to finish a whole bottle on the way up; I finished my first one before the one-mile mark.
- Bring bug spray! Hiking without bug spray in the summer is another great way to ruin a hike. Black flies love this area in June and early July, and then the mosquitoes come out!
Where to Next?
Stowe is a popular tourist town in every season, and there are lots of cool things to do nearby. Here are a few ideas for what to pair with your hike to Sterling Pond.
- Grab a beer or dinner at Idletyme Brewing. The food is delicious, and the outdoor patio is dog-friendly.
- Hike more trails! Here are some easy/moderate trails in and around Stowe.
- Spend the weekend! We love Tälta Lodge for its low-key, cozy vibes and lovely views of the river.
- Drive to the top of Mount Mansfield. A long ridge connects Mount Mansfield’s various body parts — the nose (4,062 feet), upper lip, chin (4,393 feet), and Adam’s apple (4,060 feet). You can drive right up to the nose on the Auto Toll Road from Stowe Mountain Resort. This 4.5-mile road starts at 3,850 feet and is open from late May to late October ($32 for car and driver. $12 for additional passengers).
Read Next: 18 Delightful Things to Do in Stowe in Every Season
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Tara Schatz is a freelance writer and the founder and editor-in-chief of Vermont Explored and Back Road Ramblers, an American road trip blog. She is also the co-author of the 3rd edition of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont, released in May 2023, and the author of 100+ Wonderful Ways to Experience Vermont.