Sterling Pond Trail — Attraction in Cambridge

I'm in my 50s and have had multiple knee surgeries. We travel to Stowe and do this hike at least once a year. We time our ascent and consider it a level set for our general health. This is a great hike. Bring hiking sticks... you'll be amazed how it saves the knees...especially on the descent. The trail is professionally maintained, takes us about 45mins to get to the Long Trail and then left to Sterling Pond. Pro Tip: continue past the pond, go up the wooden stairs, continue on the path to the open gravel road...go right up the hill and you'll see a chairlift on your left. Go to it and be amazed by the views to Canada. Breathtaking... especially in the fall (second week of October is typically peak). There are many iterations of this hike...you can continue all around Sterling...you can take a right at the top of the first leg and hike to the top of spruce Peak. Download Alltrails and plan your morning. Soo...

I am 62, sort of OK shape. The hike is beautiful, but strenuous climbing up over 18 inch high boulders most of the way up. Boulders and dirt can be slippery from natural springs / wetness. I literally hallucinated 2/3 of way up that someone had built beautiful redwood stairs with hand rails for part of the trail. Which has never happened to me before (the hallucinations) ! I think worrying about turning my ankle on a boulder plus a bit of afternoon tiredness caused it. Bring bug spray, as the pond attracts insects. There was a younger person trail running down the slope. I marveled at her ability and the fact she...

Loved this trail. I have seen it called moderate and difficult. Yes, it is moderately difficult. There are some slippery parts and some challenging rocks to traverse, but well worth it. Great workout! Some suggestions: bring/find a walking stick, especially for the way down; wear hiking boots; use bug spray or wear a hat with a net if you get annoyed with bugs CONTANTLY buzzing your ears/eyes; after checking out the pond, take the long trail south pathway which takes you to an overlook as well as the top of a ski slope where there are amazing...