Jay Peak rises to 3,858 feet in Vermont's northern Green Mountains, just a few miles from the Quebec border. As the northernmost high point in the state's alpine zone, it marks a geographic milestone for Long Trail thru-hikers and carries a distinctly remote feel, with weather systems frequently rolling in from Canada and the summit often catching clouds before neighboring ridges to the south.
The standard route follows the white-blazed Long Trail north from the trailhead on Route 242, gaining 1,633 feet over 1.7 miles. The lower section passes Jay Camp, a Green Mountain Club cabin with overnight bunks, before the trail steepens sharply. A series of open ledges and rock slabs lead to the summit cone, requiring careful footing when wet or icy; the out-and-back covers roughly 3.2 miles. Route details are available on AllTrails.
The rocky summit opens to panoramic views reaching well into Quebec to the north, across the Northeast Kingdom to the east, and toward Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks to the west. Jay Peak Resort operates an aerial tram that brings sightseers to the summit in summer, so the top can be busy on clear days. Early spring and late fall bring significant icing on the upper ledges; microspikes are advisable well into May.
