As the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the country, Vermont’s Long Trail offers something for all hikers to enjoy. Thru-hikers spend weeks hiking from Canada to Massachusetts, following the ridge of the Green Mountains. Day hikers can spend a gorgeous afternoon taking in nature’s soundtrack, stopping for a snack break, or snapping a quick selfie against this stunning backdrop. While most of the world-renowned Long Trail’s 272 miles are protected, some sections have no legal protection at all, putting them at risk of development. So when Trust for Public Land saw the chance to protect one of these at-risk sections, we couldn’t pass up this incredible opportunity.

Trust for Public Land helped protect the Judevine Headwaters, a 13-acre property which is vital to the integrity of the Long Trail in Johnson, VT. By adding the Judevine Headwaters to the nearby Long Trail State Forest, this section of the Long Trail will now be safeguarded from development and ensures public access forever. With the help of the Green Mountain Club and Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources, we’ve secured funding to build a new trailhead parking lot and enhance trail access to the 16-miles that run through the area. The Long Trail draws thousands of tourists each year and provides economic benefits for local communities. It also serves as a connected and healthy habitat for native fish, plants, and wildlife as part of the Northern Green Mountain Wildlife Linkage, one of the most important wildlife corridors in the North Appalachian ecoregion. Trust for Public Land is committed to conserving the Long Trail and the few remaining unprotected miles along this iconic gem so more visitors can enjoy everything the trail has to offer.