Prospect Rock Hiking Trail is Used for Nature Trips, and Birding
Directions from Manchester: Travel northeast on Vermont Route 11 / 30 and make a sharp right onto East Manchester Road. Then, continue straight onto Rootville Road. Follow until the road forks and bear right (about a mile). The trailhead Prospect Rock Hiking Trail to is at the end and parking is limited. Prospect Rock Trail is a 3.1 mile out and back trail that features a 1069 ft elevation gain, a waterfall, and a moderately difficult hike.
The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is accessible year-round. The trail, blazed with blue, follows the old Rootville Road up along the Downer Glen Ravine. After passing the Forest boundary and a spur trail, the trail then meets up with the Appalachian/Long Trail at about 1.5 miles. Just past the junction, a spur trail on the right leads 200 feet west to Prospect Rock. The summit has a jaw-dropping view of the Manchester Valley.
