Bloodroot Gap is a scenic section of the Long Trail in Vermont where the trail crosses a high ridge between Mount Abraham and Lincoln Peak. The gap is named after the bloodroot, a native wildflower that blooms in early spring and has a distinctive red sap. The trail offers views of the Green Mountains and the Champlain Valley, as well as a variety of terrain and ecosystems. The gap is a popular destination for birdwatchers, as it is home to many species of songbirds, raptors, and woodpeckers. The Bloodroot Gap section of the Long Trail is about 12 miles long and can be hiked in a day or as part of a longer backpacking trip. The trail is well-marked and maintained, but it is also challenging and steep in some places. Hikers should be prepared for changing weather conditions and carry adequate water, food, and gear. 

Vermont’s Long Trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts-Vermont line to the Canadian border. Built between 1910 and 1930, it was the vision of James P. Taylor and later became the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail. The Long Trail and Appalachian Trail share 100 miles of trail in the southern part of the state.

On the Long Trail, hikers encounter the best natural features Vermont has to offer, including pristine ponds, alpine sedges, hardwood forests, and swift streams. Known as the “footpath in the wilderness,” it is easy in a few sections and rugged in most. Steep inclines and plenty of mud present hikers with plenty of challenges.

As maintainer and protector of the Long Trail, the Green Mountain Club works in partnership with the Green Mountain National Forest, the State of Vermont, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and private landowners to offer a world-class hiking trail.

The Long Trail is truly the trail for everyone. Each year, hundreds of thru-hikers set out to complete the trail in one go, a journey that has been completed in under 5 days but typically takes multiple weeks. Section hikers tackle the trail in bursts, often completing the Long Trail over the course of many years.

Hikers who hike every mile of the Long Trail, whether in day trips, multi-day sections, or all at once, are called “End-to-Enders” and are eligible to register for inclusion in the GMC’s official records.

Most trail users are day hikers, who enjoy desired destinations as day trips without camping out on the trail.

The Hiking Project website has a description and map of a hike at Bloodroot Gap.