Sterling Pond Trail
A steep notch trail reaches Vermont’s highest-elevation trout pond, with stone stair trail and sterling pond shaping the visit
Artwork inspired by Luigi Lucioni
A steep notch trail reaches Vermont’s highest-elevation trout pond, with stone stair trail and sterling pond shaping the visit Stone steps and rocky tread climb from Smugglers’ Notch to a quiet pond beneath ski-area ridges, with optional connections toward Spruce Peak. The compact route changes from roadside boulder canyon to spruce-fringed water, demonstrating how quickly elevation reshapes vegetation and mood.
Arrive before the Notch lot fills, climb at a steady pace, and circle only if time and trail conditions support the added distance. Wet stone, ice, crowds, and winter closure of Route 108 complicate access; the pond shore is fragile and swimming conditions are not managed.
- Pond elevation
- About 3,000 feet
- Trailhead
- Smugglers’ Notch
- Route
- Steep out and back
Quick guide
- Beat the parking rush
- Notch access fills early on fair weekends.
- Expect stone steps
- Short mileage does not mean easy tread.
Know before you go
- Beat the parking rush
- Notch access fills early on fair weekends.
- Expect stone steps
- Short mileage does not mean easy tread.
- Pause at the pond
- Quiet shoreline rewards a slower circuit.
- Recheck the descent
- Wet rock is harder going down.
Good to know
Wet stone, ice, crowds, and winter closure of Route 108 complicate access; the pond shore is fragile and swimming conditions are not managed.
Notice these
- stone stair trail
- Sterling Pond
- spruce shoreline