Camel's Hump State Park — Attraction in Duxbury

Great mountain for beautiful hiking. I've hiked both the Burrows and Monroe trail, and couldn't tell which was more difficult based on reviews so I'll share some details that might help. I am 5'5" and average build, I like to hike but don't live near mountains so I don't keep in hiking shape most of the time.

The Burrows was my first hike up, and it was extremely strenuous for me. It starts ascending super fast, with huge rock stairs that are very tough for shorter people to get up. It was so steep and difficult I had to stop a ton. I could see someone enjoying Burrows if they just wanted to get to the top asap, and love a good challenge. I almost thought I'd never hike Camels hump again until I found the Monroe trail.

The Monroe trail was a beautiful stroll compared to the Burrows. Very few steep stair climbs, almost none, and goes flat in places even as you're ascending to let you catch your breath. Honestly I didnt stop to catch my breath ever on this trail. There are some areas with flat rocks that you may need to slide down on the way back, but this was a super easy trail. I will never be hiking Burrows again since the reward is the same for both. Even in the pouring rain I'd take this trail over the nice sunny day I had...

This place is beautiful, I'll give it that. When I looked online, the Monroe trail was of moderate difficulty. We found that to be wrong. After walking for a while and thinking we must be at least halfway through the 3.8 mile hike, we came to a marker saying we'd walked a whopping 1.8. discouraged but hopeful, we continued. After climbing rock faces and tromping through streams and desperately asking people on their way back down how far and everyone telling us not that far and the view is worth it, we continued. Close to tears, I thought for sure we would turn a bend and see the summit. Alas, instead we came across a marker that said we still had an ENTIRE MILE TO GO. Out loud we screamed, a nightmare. We sat, defeated. And back down the mountain we trudged.

Tl:dr: this mountain is not for the faint of heart. If you're not physically fit , there is a shorter path around the other side. Do...

Camels Hump is an iconic VT hike, right there with Mansfield. Like Mansfield, the views on Camels Hump are what make it special, both from the top and during the hike while walking through the beautful birch forest. A perk to Camels Hump over Mansfield is that because there are so many ways to get to the top, I found the trail to be pretty quiet and crowd free. The top isn't as peaceful but there is plenty of space for everyone to enjoy the view.

I started the hike from the Duxbury lot and took the Monroe Trl to Dean Trl to Long Trl to the top. Returned via the Alpine Trl to the Monroe Trl. I thought that loop was fairly strenuous, from the moment I left the parking lot you were immediatly hiking up the mountain. Additionally, on the Long Trail there were some pretty exciting rock scrables. If I wanted an easier hike I would stick to just...