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Prospect Rock Trail
4.5 ★★★★★ 107 Google reviews · Running trail in Manchester Center, Vermont · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Prospect Rock Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Steep trail to a rocky overlook of the valley, plus a waterfall and streams along the way.
What runners say about Prospect Rock Trail
“Gorgeous in the fall, easy to follow trail - though moderate to difficult trail itself, streams and trees and amazing view from the roof itself.”
“Gorgeous in the fall, easy to follow trail - though moderate to difficult trail itself, streams and trees and amazing view from the roof itself.”
Vermont is incredible in Autumn season. The trail had so much color the only minor problem I ran into was the Heavy mud on the trail from the rain of that morning. Got lost a few times searching for the lookout only to find a sign on a tree eventually and phone never lost reception 👍 Other than that, it was great .
Lots of people said this hike was hard and short. Didn't find it hard but also didn't find it short. Took about a little under 3 hours to do if you're hiking at a leisurely pace and want to stop for photos at the overlook. The trail is at an incline and rocky so wear appropriate shoes.
Such a beautiful hike!! It was about 3 miles there and back. The actual viewpoint was hard to locate so we totally missed it at first. Just follow the red path and eventually you will see a bright pink ribbon and once you see that, just head down.
Well-maintained trail (really more of a road), steep but with numerous flat spots to rest. It's easy to miss the lookout since the trail continues past it. Amazing views, however!
Trail conditions & character
“Gorgeous in the fall, easy to follow trail - though moderate to difficult trail itself, streams and trees and amazing view from the roof itself.”
“Great, small local hike perfect for when you're pressed for time but still want a decent climb.”
“Very difficult finding the actual trail, as the sign one commentator pictures is not visible from the parking area.”
“The trail is at an incline and rocky so wear appropriate shoes.”
Plan your run at Prospect Rock Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitefs.usda.gov
- Phone(802) 362-2307
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Manchester Center
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Lake Shaftsbury State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 158 reviews
State park featuring a lake with swimming, a beach, and a playground, plus hiking trails and boat rentals.
The Mile-Around Woods
4.8 ★★★★★ 143 reviews
Hikes through pastures and woods for people and dogs with views of the countryside.
White Rocks
4.6 ★★★★★ 71 reviews
Kid-friendly hiking area featuring climbing opportunities and serene views.
