Killington Peak via Bucklin Trail

This route starts and ends at the Bucklin Trail parking area on Wheelerville Road at Brewers Corners, in Mendon. From the parking area, follow the Bucklin Trail east on an old logging-road grade, climbing gradually alongside Brewers Brook. At 2.0 miles, the grade steepens through hardwood forest. At 3.3 miles, turn right (south) onto the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail, passing Cooper Lodge, at 3,900 feet, the highest shelter on the Long Trail. Continue to the base of the final summit spur, an extremely steep 0.2-mile climb that requires some scrambling over rock, gaining the last stretch to Killington Peak's open, rocky top at 3.6 miles. Retrace the same route back down the spur, the Long Trail, and Bucklin Trail to the trailhead for a round trip of about 7.3 miles, gaining roughly 2,493 vertical feet.