Mount Antone is the tallest mountain on the property at 2,600 feet.  It offers the most spectacular vista here at Merck, well-worth the 5 mile round trip hike.

Spruce Peak is the second tallest mountain on the property at 2,585 feet.  The summit provides beautiful views of the Taconic mountains and beyond, especially in the winter.

This trail is one of two interpretive trials at Merck Forest.  It offers interpretive signs discussing forestry management practices and their affects on area wildlife.  In addition, this trail has two short-cuts so you can really "choose your own adventure."  This is a great trail to look for wildlife tracks, especially when snow-shoeing in the winter.  This trail was recently upgraded by the VYCC in the summer of 2008.  Come check-out the results of Vermont's hard-working youth!

The silviculture trail is located about 1.25 miles off of Old Town Road from the Visitor Center.

Named for a long-time friend of the Merck family, John McCormick. An amateur forestor and conservationist, who served on the Advisory Council and was extremely influential in advising Merck Forest on its forest programs. The McCormick trail splits off of Old Town road up to Clarks Clearing eventually connecting with Antone Road.  It is a narrow trail and it is quite steep in portions.  There are spectacular old red oak trees in Clarks Clearing and wonderful winter views to the north-west.  It is a great loop when taken to Antone Road and then back to Old Town Road.  A good alternative to taking Old Town Road all the way to the back end of the property.

Named after a farmer who previously farmed the plot where the trail ends,  Stone Lot Road forks off of Old Town Road at the farm then travels through our vegetable fields before it dips down into the woods to the Stone Lot shelter.  Your destination is a beautiful, secluded spot where a number of streams come together.  The sound of the water trickling over the rocks is very relaxing.  Stone Lot is often used by those looking for a less challenging walk.  It has great views of the Green Mountains to the east and of the surrounding fields.

Old Town road is the main artery of the property.  At its northern end near the farm and Visitor Center it is Merck Forest’s most heavily used trail. Once you get past Birch pond, however, it receives relatively little use by hikers.  Old town road runs 4.5 miles from the Visitor Center to our back gate in West Rupert.  Old Town road has some spectacular views from the farm and across the upper horse pasture.  There is also a great deal of beautiful stream scenery near the back gate of the property where the property line snakes along the headwaters of White Creek. 

The Discovery trail is a short trail starting at the Visitor Center parking lot and looping downhill then up to the farm.  The trail passes through some young forest, then through wildlife habitat cuts,  then our orchard, ending alongside our horse pasture and sugar house. 

Named for a former manager/caretaker at Wind Gap Farm the Burke trail goes through mature, open woodland on a north facing slope.  There is a mixture of birch, oak, maple, and other northern hardwood trees.  The Burke trail gets little use in the summer, but it is a popular trail for cross country skiers in the winter who enjoy skiing in the fields near Rt. 315.