Killington Peak

2nd highest peak in Vermont and the southernmost of 5 4000-footers in the state
Killington Ski Resort lies on the north and east sides of the peak. It's trails don't go to the actual peak.
A treat for thru-hikers: just east of the peak is a large lodge with restaurant and panoramic views, usually open during the summer for people riding the gondola for scenic views.
Long Trail / Appalachian Trail traverses just west of the peak to 4-sided shelter Cooper Lodge. The summit is accessible via a short spur trail.

Routes

Bucklin Trail

23 summits • 13.0 mi • 3,288 ft gain • 4 hr 45 min

bucklin to long to killington spur

3 summits • 7.9 mi • 2,415 ft gain

Ski trail

2 summits • 6.0 mi • 1,707 ft gain • 5 hr 25 min

Killington Peak 18.2 mi route

1 summit • 18.2 mi • 4,450 ft gain • 9 hr 5 min

Killington Peak 7.6 mi route

1 summit • 7.6 mi • 2,423 ft gain • 4 hr 46 min

Latest summits

see all summits

"According to this map, https://cms.killington.com/sites/killington/files/2019-06/S19_Killington_Hiking_Web_Info1.pdf , the summit can be reached by three trails from the Killington resort side of the mountain: the A Trail, the C Trail and the E Trail. I did choose the C Trail because, according to the blog of a Killington resident who did try all existing trails, it is the one which offers the most scenic views during the ascent. Upon arrival at Kilington resort, the most obvious feature is the large quantity of heavy road work equipment. The way to the C Trail trailhead is not obvious and I asked a Killington employee who indicated it to me. He did so, but when I reached the designated area, there was nothing there. From the map, it is obvious that the C Trail passes under a chairlift, so I buswaked it this way and had no problem finding it. The so called C Trail is a gravel road. There was a lot of construction work under way around the road, but not on the road. I never saw a C Trail indication. Actually, the C Trail is officially closed, but the first written sing that I spotted saying that was nearly at the top and intended for the descending hikers. E Trail and A Trails a..." — pierredenommee • Jul 9, 2019

"While most are enjoying the 50+ degree day, I found winter! Bluebird skies, sunny, crisp views, a gorgeous winter wonderland atop Killington today, Vermont’s second highest peak at 4241 feet. 2/5 of the Vermont 4000 footers complete. " — scottturner • Mar 24, 2019

"we took a few days to explore two of the VT 4000 footers in winter as well as enjoy a day exploring Burlington. The weather was perfect, the trails were beautiful, the challenges were interesting and the laughs were plenty. Killington and Abraham were dressed in white with some deep snow." — deb-and-rob • Feb 21, 2019

"2 semaines solo de pure plaisir à faire du hiking à différentes places dont les Whites Moutains. 2ieme journée et je me rapproche des Whites en allant faire cette rando un peu plus difficile. Beaucoup de brouillard et j'ai aussi rencontré une grosse gang de thru-hiker vers le sommet. Certain avaient la bonne mine tandis que d'autre étaient assez découragé de la température. Ça l'air qu'ils avaient essuyé une bonne tempête la veille. Aucune grosse joie pour moi au sommet. Je m'attendais à un peu plus que simplement ça... " — fsoucy76 • Sep 18, 2018

"I have been wanting to climb Killington for a while, but the drive (with my children) to only hike when there are mountains closer to home they haven't done never made sense until I was able to combine it with a trip to Great Escape theme park - then the kids were 'willing' hikers. Looked like rain might come this morning, but the wet held off and the clod cover kept the temperatures comfortable. Went up from the ski are on 'E'. Currently the trail 'C' is closed due to machinery. " — hiking4000 • Sep 1, 2018

"2nd trip up Killington, this time with my wife Deb. I have gone up all 5 4000footers but Deb only did 2 so we are trying to catch her up! Absolutely awesome day, cool and sunny, a little breezy on the summit but the views were great. One of my favorite Vermont hikes!" — hbotc • Sep 10, 2017

"Solo. Coming off of day shift I have Friday, Saturday& Sunday off. The weather looked bad. But it looked great for Thursday! So I told my boss I was taking off. Playing hooky to go hiking! The weather was beautiful as promised, bright blue skies and in the 70's. I'm not sure why people love summer hiking so much or won't hike in other seasons, as soon as I got out of my car I was inside of a swarm of mosquitoes and black flies and immediately started spraying myself down to protect against being bitten. This trail is well-loved. There were 3 nice sturdy bridges over water crossings, a lot of little stairs and planks, and water re-routes on the upper trail. The first two miles were flat and wide, followed by maybe a mile of steep (~2500'?) of rocky trail, to the Cooper Lodge. The bugs were obnoxious, and the spiderwebs across the trail were plentiful. I was also sweating. A lot. Summer sucks. Anyway after the lodge there is a really dope rock scramble section that I loved maybe a quarter mile of it. Saw a guy on his way down on this portion who looked just like Santa Claus. I had the summit to myself & there was just enough of a breeze to keep the bugs off me. I snapped some..." — kellieirene • Jun 15, 2017

"Forecast for sunshine but found a lot of clouds and cold wind, especially on top of summit. Still views from all over the top of Killington are fantastic. Much less windy on south side of summit. Bagged Pico on the way up." — Alohabuffy • Sep 24, 2016

"Due to my wife Deb away for job training, I had to do this one solo and probably the next two in Vermont as well as I get the 5 Vermont 4000 footers done. Gorgeous day, mild temps. sunny and breezy, met people on the way up and down, had alot of fun and great views the hole way. The trail was easy, then moderate and finally the last 2 10ths steep. Next is Mount Ellen and Abraham, will do Camels Hump with Deb!" — hbotc • Sep 17, 2016

"NoBo AT Thru Hike 2016. Met Tom, Footlong, and Tumbleweed at the summit and hung out in the Peak Lodge for a little bit before heading down to US4 and going to DudeFest at the Inn at the Long Trail. " — Kim-Stilson • Aug 15, 2016

"On Monday I dropped Kim off at Cold River Road to head north on the AT, while I drove around to US-4 to head south on the AT with a plan to meet at the Peak Lodge at the summit of Killington. We ended up getting to the summit within 10 minutes of each other. I met Footlong and Chef Tumbleweed at the Cooper Lodge and they joined us at the Peak Lodge for a couple beers. We then all headed down to my car the way I had come up before heading to the Inn at the Long Trail for Dudefest. " — LGH-Tom • Aug 15, 2016

"After Mendon, I bushwacked over to the Long Trail, then eventually reached the Bucklin Tr/Killington Spur Tr. The last .1 miles of Killington Spur Tr was ice that my microspikes did not want to dig into. Coming down Bucklin Tr, most of the trail was ice. Then bare dirt at the end." — newenglandwarrior • Feb 23, 2016

"A full moon hike that had my wife and i complete this 7.4 mile trip in 4.5 hrs including stop overs at the old Cooper lodge built in 1939. We talked with some nice A/ T through hikers resting at the lodge. My wife is a hooper so she had her hula stlye hoop with her. Spent some good time on the summit." — mikezilla • Sep 8, 2014

"This hike consisted of four peaks: Ramshead Mountain, Snowden Mountain, Killington Peak, and Skye Peak. The day was beautiful, and the hike contained a lot of variety. We hiked on dirt paths, on ski slopes, through seven foot grass, on the Appalachian Trail, on a catwalk, and on typical hiking trails." — GSDTheFlea • Jul 9, 2012

"In the mountains again for the first time in 2 weeks, this time in Vermont. This was a nice, early morning hike with my sister to the peak of Killington & Pico Mountain, on the Long Trail. Limited views this morning due to the fog & clouds." — VonSelmer • Jun 11, 2012

"During a summer at the Killington Music Festival, we took a night hike (or "wee hours of the morning hike"), hoping to make it to the peak in time for the sunrise. It's amazingly uncomfortable hiking in the dark with only an hour or two of sleep. Good views, fun people, and quite the memory." — gooner • Jul 24, 2011

"Daughter and her friend rode up in gondola also, but didn't climb with us. Ellen, Frank and I had a very tough 5.8 miles on the Long Trail to Upper Cold River Ed. after we had climbed down from Killington summit. We later learned that the storm we'd endured had caused extensive damage throughout Vermont. " — barbaratraver • Jun 27, 1998

"Day 8 of Long Trail hike: Both on the verge of sickness, we decide to push on to Cooper Lodge nestled near the summit of Killington Peak. A light rain, chilly conditions, and faltering energy levels challenge us as we ascend the second highest mountain in Vermont. In the last half hour of light, we reach the empty Cooper Lodge. It is freezing, we are exhausted. A quick bowl of ramen noodles and we pass out immediately after inflating our Thermarests. After a rock-solid 10-hour sleep, we wake up to a brilliant day. Venturing to the summit of Killington, we make an amazing discovery – the Killington ski area cafeteria is open! We devour some snacks and then hit the trail fully energized with all hints of sickness gone. It is a great Vermont day and the views and scenery are worth all the grimness of the previous days. " — scott • Jul 2, 1992

"By now I had stopped trying to avoid the Long Trail and AT so when I reclimbed Killington (this time with my husband), we went that way. Met 69 year old AT thru hiker, "Massasoit" and others." — barbaratraver • Sep 2, 1990

"solo. At this point in my hiking career I was trying to avoid doing bits of the Long Trail/AT because I envisioned a thru trip someday. But I also wanted to climb Vermont's 4000 footers, so I took the Bucklin Trail. Met and hiked partway with several other climbers, inc. a man who was a fifth grade teacher." — barbaratraver • Aug 9, 1988