Green Mountain Club

The Green Mountain Club (GMC) is the founder and maintainer of the Long Trail – the oldest long-distance hiking trail in America. Established in 1910 to build this trail stretching the length of Vermont, today GMC’s 9,500 members protect and maintain 500 miles of trails, shelters, and overnight sites that make up the Long Trail System. The mission of the Green Mountain Club is to make the Vermont mountains play a larger part in the life of the people by protecting and maintaining the Long Trail System and fostering, through education, the stewardship of Vermont’s hiking trails and mountains.

Free and open to all, the Long Trail traverses the spine of the Green Mountains from Massachusetts to Canada. The Long Trail’s breathtaking vistas and rugged trails provide a unique and pristine experience for hikers from all over the world. For Vermonters, having access to the Long Trail right in their backyard is a way of life; for visitors, it’s a reason to return to the Green Mountains.

With 40 professional field staff and 1,000 volunteers every year, GMC protects and maintains the Long Trail, Appalachian Trail in Vermont, and Northeast Kingdom trails.  Green Mountain Club members and volunteers share a love for hiking and a commitment to preserving and protecting the Long Trail System for future generations. Their support is what makes the trail possible and keeps access to it free. GMC is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors and is made up of fourteen local chapters, known as GMC sections, which each maintain a piece of trail and provide group outings in their region. 

View our latest COVID-19 response with updates on hiking, use of shelters and other guidelines.

Ways To Get Involved

• Go for a hike. Call or stop by our Visitor Center in Waterbury Center for hike recommendations and information along with maps and guidebooks.
• Join an outing. GMC Sections host group outings that are free and open to the public.  Check out our calendar to find a hike (or bike ride, or paddle) to join.
• Volunteer. Find a good fit with a variety of opportunities to help maintain our trails, educate hikers, monitor conserved lands, write for us, share photos with us, put together membership mailings, and more.
• Take a workshop. GMC offers a variety of programs and workshops to help you or your group travel safely and confidently in Vermont’s back-country and have fun while doing it.
• Become a member. Our members have diverse interests, but all share the common goal of protecting and maintaining the Long Trail system. Your membership contribution ensures the stewardship of the trail and helps foster a community of lifelong hikers and outdoor adventurers.