Situated in between the Taconic and Green mountains, Dorset, Vermont is your destination for gorgeous scenery, classic Vermont hospitality, as well as outdoor fun and adventure. Dorset makes an excellent location for those looking for a weekend getaway or a quick day trip. It offers plentiful outdoor adventure with stunning views and unique shopping with plentiful Vermont products as well as a vibrant arts and theatre scene. Dorset is known for having some of the most scenic trails that lead to some of the best mountain biking and hiking in Vermont as well as easy access to swimming, fishing, as well as great skiing, snowshoeing, and more. Dorset makes a great location to live, with a lively community and a historic, beautiful town center. 

Manchester and Dorset are both home to world class hiking, rich New England history, and beautiful town centers. Manchester has long been a shopping mecca and never disappoints. It offers a downtown Manchester Riverwalk, expansive Rec Center, rail trail, Southern Vermont Arts Center, Hildene and the Vermont Summer Festival horse show to name a few. Dorset offers expansive hiking and biking and its town green alone is worth a visit. Time almost stands still here.

Chartered in 1761, Dorset VT is famous for its charming and quaint historic New England community that’s situated between the Taconic and Green mountains of southern Vermont. Known for its four season outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country and nearby alpine skiing, Dorset is a tucked away scenic town perfect for those visiting Vermont for any occasion. With a deep New England history, Dorset is the historical site of America’s oldest marble quarry and is the birthplace of Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholic Anonymous. Dorset is historically known for the nation’s first marble quarry. The Norcross-West Quarry is right on Rte 30 and is very welcoming and popular swimming location. 

Manchester VT, just 10 minutes from Dorset, shares some of the same hiking trails, biking trails, forest trails and view trails. Nestled between the Taconic and Green Mountains, Dorset and Manchester share the same iconic and famous hiking trails for all levels and experiences. From Equinox Preservation Trust Trail, Lye Brook Falls Trail, Prospect Rock Trail to Gilbert’s Lookout and Owl’s Head, Dorset, like Manchester, is a great stopping place for all levels of hiking. Dorset has recently created great hiking/mountain biking trails including Humphreys/Bunkers Loop and Grouse Lane. View Alltrails for more.

Dorset is known for quarrying the nation’s first commercial marble. It is a very popular swimming/sunning destination. First opened in 1785 the Norcross-West Quarry is a 60 foot deep massive swimming hole home to one of the best places to spend a day in the freshwater. The quarry was America’s first marble quarry, and it supplied marble to the New York Public Library, Brown University’s library and several exquisite mansions in NYC. There are also beautiful hiking trails in the Dorset Town Forest leading to a gorgeous scenic lookout at the Gettysburg Quarry and trails leading to the Lower Prince and Klondike quarries as well as Gilbert Lookout on Owl’s Head. Dorset is located on Rte 30 and is a wonderful place to stop by if you are driving up to nearby Bromley and Stratton mountains or enjoying a weekend adventure in southern Vermont. 

There are many locations to cross country ski in Southern Vermont. Nearby Hildene, Wild Wings and Stratton Mountain offer great facilities. Dorset has plentiful cross-country and snowshoe opportunities and is actively investing in expanding its offering in its town forest.

Southern Vermont, which includes Stratton Mountain, Bromley Mountain, Manchester and Dorset has no shortage of bike trails. The Dorset Mountain bike trails are popular destinations for those traveling from Southern Vermont and beyond. A truly hidden gem that is off the beaten (bike) path. For Dorset mountain biking check out https://www.trailforks.com/region/dorset-1456037602/

Yes, they are. Many families, locals, and visitors take the opportunity to swim in the quarries. The Norcross-West Quarry, America’s first marble quarry, is a 60 foot deep massive swimming hole, and home to one of the best places to spend a hot summer day in the freshwater getting up to around 50 degrees in the summer.

Vermont is known for food items such as Vermont cheddar cheese, maple syrup and of course, the home to Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Vermont is also known for its farm to table cuisine from its many farms that service artisan food, fresh produce, wineries, breweries, and distilleries. It is renowned for its reputation as the leading craft beer state in the nation. Vermont is also known for its skiing, hiking, stunning foliage views in autumn, quintessential New England towns like Dorset, and vast green farm lands. 

If you’re looking for the best hiking trails around Vermont, Dorset is just the place to be. Dorset is situated in between the Taconic Mountains and the Southern Green Mountains, with excellent hiking trails and scenic views. Vermont is one of the best places for hiking on the east coast. With multiple trails including the Appalachian Trail and trails in the Green Mountain National Forest, it is hard to say what are the best places to hike in Vermont. With endless trails that are open to mountain bikers, horseback riders, to cross country skiers and snowshoers, Vermont is home to state-of-the-art hiking and all year around adventure. For lodging options in Dorset and Manchester check out https://www.dorsetvt.com/business-category/where-to-stay/ and https://www.manchestervermont.com/stay/

Vermont has no shortage of destinations. Between Burlington on Lake Champlain, to Stowe with Smugglers’ Notch, to Stratton, Bromley and Killington, Vermont is a one stop shop for outdoor adventure, scenic and historic landmarks, quintessential New England feel and the ski capital of the Northeast. Dorset finds itself tucked in Southwestern Vermont, a perfect getaway for a one day stop from Albany, the Berkshires, Saratoga Springs, or a longer vacation, or a place to live. Dorset is filled with a rich history, beautiful scenery and tons of outdoor activities.