Vermont Inn to Inn Walking Tours — Hotel in Chester

Vermont Inn-to-Inn walk Review

First, the inns. All were comfortable and accommodating, easy to get around in, lots of nooks and quiet spaces. They varied somewhat, from pretty ritzy (Inn Victoria) to more “rustic” and country inn-like. But they all had a quality about them that I’m having trouble parsing. The best word I can come up with is “restfulness;” in every inn, regardless of style, I felt perfectly comfortable, after a long, hot walk, sitting quietly in a rocking chair, drinking a cold beverage, and nothing to do but show up for dinner. There are also TVs in the rooms and lots of games of various types and books if you’re inclined that way. And, of course, the people you walked with to talk with, share experiences, stories. You won’t be bored.

The hosts were all welcoming, charming, friendly, and helpful beyond measure. They provided snacks and drinks and meals and they were all great. (And of sufficient variety, so you won’t be bored.) Sometimes there were extra added attractions, an adorable child here, an equally adorable dog there. But the hosts were mostly important in explaining the walk you are to take the next morning. They provide information about your walk and information sheets with pictures and maps and special stuff (TURN RIGHT HERE) highlighted for your convenience. Generally, they are a wealth of information, but Lane and Ali have been on the job only seven (7!) weeks (as of our hike in mid-June, 24), and are just learning what is required. Still, trust your hosts; they know the way better than you do.

The walks are generally fairly easy, on either paved roads or well-maintained forest roads, so you won’t be doing any bushwhacking. But there are plenty of demanding uphills and steep downhills that can get pretty challenging. You walk at your own pace, and the hosts will provide rides for part, or even all, of the walk. At the age of 79, I confess I struggled, and at one point had to have Penny (from Inn Victoria) drive out and pick me up. (This was difficult, as I had been reduced to a sweaty puddle by the side of the road.) The other couples with us were all younger and much sprightlier than my wife and I and they breezed through the walks.

A special note fits in here. According to our hosts, the weather in that part of Vermont in mid-June is pleasant, with warm days and cool nights. For us, however, the weather had a special treat: extreme heat! It got into the mid-90s by midday, and with added humidity, the heat index was invariably over 100, except for the last day. Honestly, it was foolish of me to try to hike in that weather. I’ve hiked all over the world in all kinds of conditions, including New Mexico deserts, Spanish mountains, and Vietnamese jungles, but nothing beats Vermont in the mid-90s. It really put me down.

Bottom line: Go! You will have a wonderful...

I would rate this trip a 10 if I could! If it appeals to you and you are contemplating it—don’t hesitate, sign up now. I would rate the difficulty of the daily walks moderate. Each day’s journey takes 4-6 hours at a leisurely pace. It’s Vermont, so there is a mix of relatively flat stretches, some ascents, some descents; some of these stretches are long but keep in mind that you are always on a road designed for motor vehicles (plus one very short and easy cut down a wooded path) so the grade is never too extreme. The walks are almost completely on back roads, often gravel not paved, and a few forest tracks designed perhaps for ranger vehicles. The route has been designed conscientiously to keep to a minimum rare short treks on roads with traffic. The walks offer a lovely mix of canopied forest, pastures, mountain vistas. Daily written instructions are clear, detailed, explicit. The four anchor villages are small but all have a few shops to browse in if you complete your hike a bit early and still have some energy. As previous reviews have mentioned, each inn has its own distinct style and personality, and all are equally wonderful with super friendly and accommodating staff. The food was fantastic at each location; the four inns coordinate their menus so that you get a nice variety during the week, and of course they all cater to dietary restrictions or preferences. As other have stated, with the large country breakfasts, snacks available to take for the journey, and three course dinners, there is no need to plan for a midday meal. Casual dress is all that is needed. If you’re concerned that the walks may be too physically demanding, the inn keepers will help you weigh your options—get dropped off half-way to the next destination, ride all the way (with the luggage transfer), etc. If there are others walking the route with you, you will develop a great camaraderie, perhaps walking portions of the daily routes together, and trading stories over meals. The trip left me with memories that I will savor forever. I hiked in mid-September, we lucked out with early fall foliage, warm temps...

For a few years now I had been interested in doing this Inn-to-Inn hiking experience because I really enjoy hiking, but I didn't want to deal with all of the hassle of camping. I finally pulled the trigger this year and I am super glad that I did. I was hesitant at first that I would not gel with the people on the hikes or the Inn owners who might expect someone from a different crowd (I was a male solo hiker in my thirties who lives in Brooklyn). But I was I wrong. It was a spectacular experience and really everything I was looking for in a hiking trip. First off, the cleanliness of all the Inns is really commendable (with hundreds of hikers per season - I am sure this is no easy task). The hikes themselves are exceptionally curated and most of the hiking is on sparsely populated dirt roads that really immersed me in the natural environment. It was the perfect tonic to getting my mind off of work, and give myself a break from the noise and pollution of the city. The food and service at each Inn was also top notch. As someone who lives in New York City, a city known for its culinary scene, all of the meals exceeded my expectations. Talking to the Inn owners and and breaking bread with the other hikers was a real treat too because they were all so well-travelled, and they really made you feel at home. Even though some of the Inns are BYOB, there was no problem finding wine and beer in the local stores nearby. I brought a small bottle of whiskey, just in case, that I never ended up opening because of the availability of other beverages. I would highly recommend this trip for people of all ages, solo or with a group. It's the perfect way to see a lot of cool parts of Vermont, while eating great food and...