Vermont Inn-to-Inn Walking Tour
Everything to know before walking 42+ miles through Vermont.
In April 2026, I headed to Vermont by myself and spent four days walking the entire Vermont Inn-to-Inn route - solo! And it ended up being one of the most magical trips I've ever taken. If you've seen my Vermont content and thought, okay but HOW does this actually work?! - this guide is for you.
Summary At A Glance:
42.5 miles total
4 Days of walking
4 different Vermont Inns
Your luggage is transferred for you
Breakfast, trail snacks + 3 course dinners included
You only carry a daypack
Self-guided - and yes, I did it solo!
The route is a circle, so after four days of walking, you end up right back where you started. And no - you aren't backpacking. Your luggage gets a ride.
Real quick, I’m Meg!
Started walking to lose weight
& kept going because I got my life back🥹-93lbs naturally | 10k steps + Calorie deficit
Wellness tips • Motherhood • Girls Trip!
Do you actually walk from inn-to-inn?
Yes - with a little nuance!
On two of my days, I walked straight out the door of one inn and all the way to the next. On the other two, I got a short ride to a safer starting point and walked from there to my next inn.
Either way, every day had the same goal: put on my shoes and walk until I reached where I was sleeping that night. There is something SO satisfying about arriving somewhere and realizing your own two feet got you there.
How to get there?
I flew into Manchester, New Hampshire (MHT) because it was the cheapest plane ticket from my home airport. I then rented a car and drove about two hours to my first inn. You can also fly into New York, Burlington, and Boston.
It may seem pointless to rent a car and leaving it for the duration of the walk, but the walking tour is not centrally located and has zero public transportation. Because the route is circular, my final walking day brought me right back to where I'd started - and my car! I then went back and visited all the cute stores I walked past during my walks. You’re going to want the flexibility.
The Inns are part of the experience
This isn't a trip where your hotel is just somewhere to sleep. Each inn felt completely different - and like a reflection of the people who ran it.
Golden Stage Inn
It felt so cozy. I loved the setting, and during the warmer months there's a pool that would feel AMAZING after a long walking day.
The Governor's Inn
It was incredibly charming. The descent down the hill with the Inn as the prize was epic! I loved sitting in a rocking chair on the porch, and you're right in Ludlow where you can explore town once you arrive if you are up for it.
Inn Victoria
I was so taken by all its character! Another front porch worth relaxing on, and oh grab a complimentary cookie with your welcome snack because they were delicious.
COHO Inn & Motor Lodge
I may be partial because I started here & booked an additional night after the tour, but it was so inviting. The Inn is a little removed from down, but the day you end your walk at COHO you need to make sure and get a creemee from The Vermont Country Store when you pass by!
But my favorite part wasn't necessarily the inns and their amenities. It was the people.
Getting to know the innkeepers, hearing their stories and being welcomed into the places they've created became one of my favorite parts of the entire trip.
Talk to your hosts. That's genuinely one of my biggest pieces of advice.
Should I add a 5th night?
I did! Since I flew in, I wasn’t sure what time I would finish my final day so adding a 5th night allowed me to rest up before traveling back home. I spent my 5th night at my first Inn (where my rental car was), so I finished the walk and just checked in to rest, it was perfect! Some friends from my group booked their 5th night at the Inn where they spend night number 4. So they finished their walk, grabbed their car and just drove back to the previous town. This is a great option too because two nights in one Inn means you don’t have to re-pack!
If you drive in & only have a few hours to get you home, I think staying the 5th night would be based off of your preference, as I’m sure you’d finish in time to drive home.
What is the food like on the walking tour?
I was expecting the walking to be a highlight. I wasn't expecting the FOOD to be one too.
Every morning started with a big breakfast. The inns provided snacks to bring on the trail, there were refreshments waiting when I arrived at the next inn, and then we'd sit down for dinner that evening.
I packed extra snacks because I was convinced I'd be starving after walking all day. I never needed them.
I'm also gluten intolerant and every inn was able to accommodate me because I let them know ahead of time.
Honestly, the food was part of what made the whole experience feel a little luxurious. Walk all day -> arrive at a cozy inn -> shower -> eat a beautiful dinner -> sleep -> repeat. YES PLEASE.
Is it safe to walk alone?
I can honestly say yes! I walked the entire route by myself.
There were other people doing the experience at the same time, and I could have joined them. But some were celebrating anniversaries and honeymoons...and honestly? I WANTED to walk alone.
I always felt safe. People who live along the route are used to seeing walkers. I'd have people wave or encourage me as I passed, which was so sweet.
My little solo-walking strategy
I tried to leave first every morning. That way, I knew there were other walkers somewhere behind me if I ever needed them.
And then we'd all come together again at night. We'd eat, recap our days and laugh about everything that happened along the way.
You can have solitude during the day and community at night. For me, that made it feel like such a great first solo walking experience.
I was alone. But I never felt completely on my own.
How do you know where to go?
You aren't just handed an address and told, 'Good luck!'
Every evening, our innkeepers would go over the next day's walk with us. We'd get our directions and talk through what to expect along the route. I always felt really prepared.
I could also cross-reference my route with Google Maps probably 90% of the time. Cell service was only spotty in a few areas, but I'd still recommend downloading the Vermont area in Google Maps before your trip so you have it available offline.
What to pack on your inn-to-inn walking tour?
NORMAL CLOTHES. 😂
I packed almost entirely athleisure because...walking trip = leggings. Right?
Then every evening I'd shower, come down for dinner and realize everyone else had somehow remembered that humans occasionally wear something other than workout clothes. Next time, I'd bring a couple of casual dinner outfits.
But MORE importantly: COMFY SLIP-ON SHOES.
After spending the entire day walking, the last thing I wanted to do was put my walking shoes back on. Give those feet their freedom.
What was in my daypack?
Because my luggage was transferred between inns, I only needed to carry what I'd use during the day. I used a small daypack with a hydration bladder + straw, which I LOVED.
· Blister prevention for hot spots
· Rain jacket
· Sunscreen
· Bug spray
· Phone
· Headphones
· Portable charger
· Trail snacks
· Tripod
Was the tripod necessary? Absolutely not. Was I walking through Vermont alone and determined to come home with pictures?
Absolutely.
You don’t need hiking shoes
You're mostly walking rural, gravel roads - not technical hiking trails through the woods - so I wore regular walking shoes.
Do not bring brand new shoes.
I brought two pairs that were already broken in and that I knew I could comfortably walk miles in.
And equally important: GOOD SOCKS.
I wore Feetures, but whatever you choose, I'd prioritize comfortable, supportive socks you've already worn on long walks. Forty-two miles is not the time to experiment with your footwear.
How hard is it to walk the inn-to-inn tour?
Before Vermont, I had already been walking five miles a day for about a year, and I felt like that prepared me really well for the mileage.
But here's what I WOULD specifically prepare for: HILLS.
There were some pretty steep inclines almost every day. I found them manageable because eventually they leveled out, but I had some practice on hillier routes before my trip and I'm really glad I did. The innkeepers mentioned that people coming from very flat areas sometimes have a harder time because they're simply not used to the elevation changes.
So my advice isn't necessarily: walk more.
It's: add some hills to your walks.
And if you're worried about a day's distance, talk to your innkeeper before you head out. They may be able to modify the route or drop you farther along so you have fewer miles to cover.
Is this trip for you?
I feel like this should go without saying...but you need to actually like walking.
Walking isn't one activity on the itinerary. Walking IS the itinerary.
You're spending four days doing a lot of it - and the official route is hilly.
But if the idea of waking up, eating breakfast, putting on your shoes and spending your day slowly making your way through Vermont sounds dreamy...you might love this as much as I did.
My 3 biggest tips for the Vermont Walking Tour
If my best friend texted me tomorrow and said, 'Meg! I booked Vermont!' I'd immediately tell her:
1. Bring great, broken-in shoes.
Don't experiment with footwear on this trip.
2. Get to know your hosts.
Their hospitality and stories are such a big part of what makes the experience special.
3. Pack comfy slip-on shoes.
I'm serious about this one. Your feet have earned it.
The Part I Still Think About
I don't think there's one specific moment. It's the whole experience. The accomplishment of walking 42+ miles. The charm of the inns. The kindness of the innkeepers. The Vermont countryside. The quiet hours walking by myself. And the feeling of arriving at the next inn knowing: I WALKED HERE.
I'm really proud that I did the whole thing. Four days. Forty-two-plus miles. Solo. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I'm taking my love of walking travel across the pond and walking the Cotswold Way in 2027. But Vermont left me with another question first:
WHERE ELSE CAN I DO THIS IN THE USA?!
If you know of another inn-to-inn walking experience, please DM it my way. I'm officially obsessed.
Got More Questions?
For current dates, pricing, booking information and official route details, go directly to Vermont Inn to Inn Walking Tours. Tour availability and details can change, so their website is the best place for the most current information.
If you book a walking tour, tell the owners Meg said hey! (I don’t get any commission, they’re just friends for life now.)
Hey, I’m Meg!
Started walking to lose weight
& kept going because I got my life back🥹-93lbs naturally | 10k steps + Calorie deficit
Wellness tips • Motherhood • Girls Trip!