mt. philo state park

Mt Philo is an easy hike that could be made more difficult and wild, depending on the route you take to the top. The reward is the view at the top with expansive view of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks, although many might say the road taken is just as beautiful, esp in fall at peak. Mt Philo, like Vermont is just simply beautiful.

Hiked the park road from top to bottom in early-mid May, before it was open to vehicles,...no leaves on the trees yet so really nice views, yet could hardly tear our eyes away from the profuse and diverse wildflowers. Perfect in that.we hardly had to watch our step on the good pavement and had it all to ourselves...the other park visitors were on the woods trails.

Mt. Philo is oftentimes packed with locals and tourist crowds alike due to its relative proximity to Burlington and ease of access in the Champlain Valley. The views from the summit/picnic areas is exceptional offering great panoramic views of the entire area. This is especially true during foliage season. There are also several hiking trails that lead from the first parking area to the summit and these can be quite overcrowded as well. On a slow day, it is an enjoyable short hike though.

Stunning views from the top. Very serene place. Had it not been cold we would have spent more time and enjoyed the beautiful views. You can spend a couple hours. There is a small entry fee. Highly recommended.

Great hike. Wonderful panoramic views at both the mid way point and the top. Did this with my 3 & 5 year olds and was able to get all the way up and halfway down before the complaining started. Got some great photos.

The summit is a terrific place for a sunny summer wedding, with an unforgettable view of the valley and Lake Champlain.

We hiked up the fairly steep trail but it is very well maintained and well worth the effort for the views. Was very warm the day we went up so we recommend bringing a water bottle along and can fill up at the top. Also a picnic area so pack a snack and enjoy the summit! I would plan for about a 2 hour visit.

This park is a short ride from Burlington. We normally hike,but my husband was nursing a sprained ankle, so we came here because you can drive to the summit. Entry was 3 dollars a person and the ride is short. There will be people walking on the road so watch them. THere is a trail as well. At the top is a campground, picnic area, and chairs with scenic views. A really nice way to spend a couple of hours.

This hike was recommended to me by friends who grew up in Burlington. We were looking to a do a fairly quick hike and this fit the bill. There was a $3/adult entrance fee to the park, and there was a paved road you could drive/walk up, but we chose the hiking path. The path was well marked and well maintained. There were a few steps/paths set up if the terrain called for it. Once we got to the top there were great views of the Appalachians and Lake Champlain. We spent some time at the top, and if I had to guess I would say we spent about 2 hours total at the park, which is just what we were looking for. The hike was easy-moderate, and any physical ability would be able to make it up. We saw lots of kids and friendly dogs on the path, too :)

We went there off-season and ended up walking to the top. Some of the walk was on the paved road and some was on well walked paths. This trip was in late October. A bit late for great foliage and this day was a bit overcast, but still a nice mountain. The views from the top are well worth the climb to the top.VT, NY and who knows what else you can see on a clear day.There is a small fee during the season, and still worth the price.

While spending a weekend with friends, we decided we needed to do a small hike so we could claim we participated in the "outdoor sports" scene of Vermont. Mt. Philo was only a 10-15 minute drive from the center of Burlington, and was a perfect hike for us. It took about 35-40 minutes to get to the top. It was pretty steep at some points and not so bad at others. If you have physical limitations i'm not sure I would recommend it, otherwise it should be fine for most. Once you get to the top, the views are absolutely stunning. You can see mountains, Lake Champlain, tons of trees all in one panoramic view. Besides the Grand Canyon, I can't recall seeing a view that great in a long time, and i'm amazed I only had to hike 40 minutes to do it! There are bigger mountains in the area for more adventurous travelers i'm told. But for the 4 of us, Mt. Philo was perfect.

A typical visit here might include a scenic walk, bicycle ride, or drive up the tree-lined, paved, and narrow road to the summit; and a rewarding walk along the impressive vistas of Lake Champlain from the hilltop. There are benches and Adirondack chairs to sit on and restroom facilities at the hilltop.

After reading some of the other recent reviews, I echo the senitments that the views from the top make the trek worthwhile. We hiked the road at too fast a pace (for me) and the road is STEEP. I imagine the dirt trails are as well. So be prepared and take your time, or drive the road to the top to enjoy the views. FYI, I understand there have been numerous break-ins into cars in the lot at the base, so do not leave valuables. There is a $3 pp fee paid as you enter the lot.

I enjoyed this mountain. It is a very manageable size. I was by myself with not too much time, so first I drove up to the top, took pictures and relaxed in the Adirondack chairs and on the picnic tables they have at the top. Caution - the road up & down the mountain was narrower than I would have expected and with no railway, at least you've got the mountain on one side. After I drove down, I hiked for a little bit and it was beautiful and well marked. I definitely want to go back and hike it all. It was very easy to find, a beautiful view from the top and just a $3 entry fee too.

We hiked up for a mother's day picnic and it was as lovely as usual. This is about a 30-45 minute hike (with my kids it's faster than with my friends). You can go up either the road way, or via a wooded path which goes off to the left just as you start up the road. The views are lovely!