The Dome (Pownal)
Vermont
Free — you'll pick up right here.
4.6 mi
Distance
3,177 ft
Gain
1h 34m
Time
No verdict for this trail
We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.
What we do know
Inside Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests
2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data
What's missing
No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.
Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.
Why you'll love it
Here's your day, mapped
The Dome (Pownal)
Suggested plan · check conditions before you go
Meals
Gear for the day
Elevation & route
- Distance
- 4.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 3,177 ft
- Elevation loss
- 3,177 ft
- Highest point
- 2,730 ft
- Lowest point
- 1,140 ft
Photos
Directions & GPX
Permits & access
- Bikes
- Allowed
Source for bikes: USDA Forest Service National Forest System Trails (EDW)
About this trail
The Dome in Pownal, Vermont offers a challenging 4.60-mile out-and-back adventure on singletrack terrain for experienced hikers seeking technical trail work. This expert-level route demands solid skills and fitness, making it an ideal destination for those ready to test their abilities on Vermont's more demanding paths.
Facts about this trail
The climb
- High point
- 2,730 ft
- Total climbing
- 3,177 ft
- Total descent
- 3,177 ft
- Steepest stretch
- 21% grade around mile 0.2 on the way out
- Length (round trip)
- 4.6 mi
- Shape
- Out and back
Source: Roamze elevation profile and trail geometry (DEM samples along the mapped route)
When to go
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Pownal 1 Ne, VT weather station, 2.9 mi away. High / low in °F.
- Jan31° high12° low
- Feb33° high13° low
- Mar42° high22° low
- Apr56° high33° low
- May68° high43° low
- Jun75° high52° low
- Jul81° high57° low
- Aug78° high55° low
- Sep72° high49° low
- Oct59° high39° low
- Nov47° high29° low
- Dec36° high20° low
The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this spot, so expect it to run cooler up here.
Where it is
- Manchester Ranger District · Ranger district
- Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests · National forest
Source: USFS EDW boundaries
Conditions
Active alerts for Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests as of Oct 9, 2026:
Thundering Falls Use Restrictions, Middlebury/Rochester Ranger District, VT
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
OHV Use Restrictions, Green Mountain National Forest, VT
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Firewood Restrictions, Green Mountain National Forest, VT
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Appalachian Trail and Long Trail Shelter Restrictions, Green Mountain National Forest, VT
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
FR 54 and FR 233 Use Restrictions, Middlebury/Rochester Ranger District, VT
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Wilderness Areas Use Restrictions, Green Mountain National Forest, VT
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Rattlesnake Cliff and Mount Horrid Area Restrictions, Middlebury/Rochester Ranger District, VT
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Warren Falls Occupancy Restrictions, Middlebury/Rochester Ranger District, VT
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Blueberry Lake Occupancy and Use Restrictions, Middlebury/Rochester Ranger District, VT
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Chittenden Reservoir Occupancy Restrictions, Middlebury/Rochester Ranger District, VT
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Source: USFS forest alerts
Nearby
- East Dome TrailHiking0.7 mi
- Dome 2/3 Summit TrailHiking0.9 mi
- Westerhoff CutoffMountain biking0.9 mi
- Old Seth Warner Shelter SiteCamping1.7 mi
- Seth Warner ShelterCamping3.1 mi
- Clark CragRock climbing5.7 mi
- North Branch Hoosic RiverCanoeing6.1 mi
- Monroe State ForestRock climbing9.9 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Add to a trip & share
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