Our inns are convenient to Vermont's Long Trail as well as its many side systems and other enjoyable hiking options. The Long Trail, Vermont's famous 250-mile footpath in the wilderness, is in a remote location along the main ridgeline of the Green Mountains. The words of one of our earliest brochures from the 1970's are still true today: "The Long Trail is classified as a wilderness trail and is by turns steep, boggy, and difficult ... the Trail is forested, within the treeline of the Green Mountains, and offers limited views. Less monotonous and more rewarding hikes can be taken within its side systems, with options for waterfalls, hidden lakes, stunning vistas, historical and cultural highlights, steep but short hikes to mountain overlooks, and so forth. These trails have the advantage of being located closer to our inns in many cases." While the Long Trail holds attraction for serious hikers, more casual hikers and walkers will wish to consider day-hiking from our inns on the LT's scenic side trails, even if challenging hiking is desired.

A door-to-door hike is available on one day of any self-guided hiking itinerary, between Blueberry Hill and Churchill House; the trail is 9 miles through the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area of Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest, and car shuttling is included in your package. Other than that, the inns are generally too far apart for door-to-door hiking, and you'll need a car for your inn to inn trip, whether you choose day hiking or Long Trail segments.

If you are a Long Trail purist and wish to hike several segments of the LT inn-to-inn, do not despair! The use of the car shuttle will enable you to hike as much of the Long Trail as you wish each day. Generally you will drive to the ending point of your daily itinerary, leave your car there, and the innkeeper with whom you had breakfast will shuttle you back to the trail head. This allows you to select the length and difficulty of each day's hike, and gives you use of your car each night, to drive the short distance to your next inn. Car shuttling is also available to self-guided hikers choosing other trails that do not offer a loop option.

When do the leaves change color?

It is impossible to know when the leaves will start to change color, when the foliage will be at its peak, or how long the foliage season will last. The last week of September and first two weeks of October are generally considered peak foliage for most of our inns. The color generally comes earlier in the north than in the south, and to higher elevations before lower elevations. Inns will fill quickly (and rates are considerably higher) during this period.