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Gile Mountain Trail

Two trail options are provided for Gile Mountain: a 0.68 mile hiking trail and a longer switch-backed bike/ski trail. Elevation gain to the summit ridge and fire tower observation area is 413 ft.  
Trail Activity
Hiking Mountain biking
Length
1.60 miles, Network
Difficulty
Moderate
Town
Norwich (VT)
Surface
Packed Earth/Dirt, Gravel/Crushed Stone/Cinder
Pets
Permitted on leash
Fees
No

Description

HIGH USE TRAIL:

This is a busy trail system, especially on weekends between 9AM-4PM. Consider visiting outside of peak periods. Use Trail Finder to identify other nearby trails. If the parking lot is full when you arrive, please choose another trail. 

Learn more about high use trail systems.

The blue-blazed multi-use trail climbs gently from the parking lot and makes a soft left onto an old flat woods road. At 0.16 mile, the trail turns right, leaving the woods road and ascending slightly. At 0.27 mile, the bike/ski trail leaves the hiking trail and veers left. The hiking trail continues straight ahead under the power-line carrying electricity from the Wilder Dam, crosses the cleared right-of-way and passes an intersection with the bike/ski trail just before entering the woods again, where it veers right to start the climb to the tower. After two switchbacks, the trail turns right at 0.6 mile to ascend the summit ridge to the fire tower, where, on a clear day, you will behold great 360-degree views of the Upper Valley.

This trail gets extensive use and requires extensive maintenance. Please observe mud season closings (typically April through mid-May).

Other Information

 

The Norwich Trails Committee is currently collaborating with the Upper Valley Trails Alliance to make the trail more sustainable by rebuilding eroded and steep sections using rock steps and gravel surfacing.

Please consider volunteering your time to maintain this or other trails in the region. Contact us at volunteer@uvtrails.org.

Trail Manager

For more information contact:

Norwich Trails Committee

Norwich Trails Committee
1396 New Boston Road
Norwich, VT 05055
Phone: (802) 649-1048
Nick.Krembs@gmail.com

Trail Tips

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Tell someone your plan and when you’ll return, just in case.
Legend
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Trailhead Information

From Main Street, Norwich, continue west out of the village and past Beaver Meadow Road for 0.5 miles. Turn left onto Turnpike Road and continue for 5.3 miles to the trailhead parking area on left. While traveling on Turnpike Road, stay left at New Boston Road and Upper Turnpike Road intersections, which are located 1.0 and 2.7 miles from Main Street. When you drive under the powerline corridor you’ll be 0.7 miles from the parking area.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
switbut3rfly2
October 04, 2020
This is a beautiful well maintained hiking area. I love the view. People please do not ever park on the road side as you will get ticketed no matter what day it was. There is a sign that says not to park on the side of the road but people just do not care and just park their cars. So your big reward after hiking is a big fat ticket from Norwich PD. I've seen so many cars parked and they all got ticketed. So if you care about it follow the sign not to park on the road even if you pull your car out of the way you will still be ticketed lol. If there is no available spot for you just wait cuz people come and go or just go a little bit up the hill and you will find a parking spot there. Good luck and enjoy the view on top of the fire tower.
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