Appalachian & New England Walk

Begin your walking tour with the Mount Hunger Trail, after a rather steep climb you are rewarded with impressive mountainous views including, the New Hampshire Presidential range, on clear day. You will overnight in Stowe, a quaint town that lies in a broad, fertile valley between Mount Mansfield and the peaks of the Green Mountains to the west, and the Worcester Range to the east. You have the opportunity to taste your way there with stops at Ben & Jerry’s, Cabbot Cheese and Lake Champlain Chocolate Shop (own expense). Stowe will be your base for the next two nights, where it’s easy to fill your time with a walk by the river or explore the local crafts and cuisine. If you would prefer to hit a nearby trail, you also have this option… TRAIL NAME: MOUNT HUNGER TRAIL (RETURNING ALONG SAME TRAIL)Mileage: 3.7 miles (5.95 kms)Altitude change: 2260 FeetDuration: Approx 4 hoursRating: Strenuous

Today you can stretch your legs on a full day hike (18 km) on the Worcester via Skyline Trail. Wildlife is commonly spotted along the trail, including moose and bears. This primitive yet sublime trail is rated as strenuous but as soon as you set foot on the trail, your efforts will quickly be rewarded with some of Vermont’s most scenic ridges. The trail will lead you through mossy forest floors, rocky outcrops and miles and miles of pure, unadulterated hiking pleasure… TRAIL NAME: WORCESTER VIA SKYLINE TRAIL (RETURNING ALONG SAME TRAIL)Mileage: 11.4 miles (18.34 kms)Altitude change: 4,258 feetDuration: 6-7 hoursRating: Strenuous

You’ll walk the backbone of the Northern Appalachians, the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Many of the trails here are above the timberline, offering wonderful views of this impressive range. On arrival, you delve straight into the beauty of this area with a planned hike to Lonesome Lake. The trail leads to the southern end of Lonesome Lake with an additional 0.5 miles to an Appalachian Mountain hut and the option of extending further. Most of the trail is tree covered so will be shaded from the sun, making it even more of an enjoyable experience… TRAIL: LONESOME LAKE (LOOP TRAIL)Mileage: 3.1 miles (4.82 kms)Altitude change: 1,033 feetDuration: 3 hoursRating: ModerateOn day five you have the option of hiking the Franconia Ridge trail which starts right at your campsite. Rated as one of the best in New England, you’ll have the opportunity to scale three peaks (Little Haystack, Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette), all of which offer wonderful views. This area is well known to hikers all over the world, both for its stunning scenery and constantly changing weather. Challenge the elements here or catch the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, which began operating in 1938 and was the first passenger aerial tramway in North America. From the top, there are panoramic views of three states, so it is mostly definitely worth a trip… TRAIL: FRANCONIA RIDGE (ROUND TRIP)Mileage: 9 miles (14.48 kms)Altitude change: 4,000 feetDuration: 8-10 hoursRating: Strenuous

You travel from one of the most well-known segments of the Appalachian Trail, to the most pristine. Baxter State Park is home to Mount Katahdin, the finishing point of the 3,500 km long Appalachian Trail. Wander and enjoy the largest of the most remote wilderness areas in the eastern USA. Here you can truly get away from it all on footpaths that wind through undisturbed forest and along the crystal-clear lakes and streams of northern Maine. Keep both eyes and ears open for the chance to encounter some of the wildlife that thrives here. This tranquil wilderness is virtually untouched since the days of the first settlers, over three hundred years ago. As you pause to reflect on the solitude of this beautiful place, it’s hard to imagine that two-thirds of America’s population lives within a day’s drive of the Appalachian Trail.On day seven you hike Mt Katahdin via the Hunt Trail, which is a strenuous hike with more than 4,150 ft. elevation gain, taking approximately 10 hours. The rewarding views on this trail are some of the finest in New England, but should only be attempted by those fit enough. .. TRAIL NAME: MT KATAHDIN VIA. HUNT TRAILMileage: 9.26 miles (14.90 feet)Altitude change: 4,150 feetDuration: 10 hoursRating: StrenuousDay eight features a nature trail to Daicey and Kidney Ponds, with the Appalachian Trail running through a section of it. It is rated as easy with little to no elevation difference. Canoes can be rented after a couple of miles for a very different and unique experience, or you can simply sit back and admire the views… TRAIL NAME: DAICEY & KIDNEY PONDMileage: 2 miles (3.21 kms)Altitude change: n/aDuration: 1.5 hoursRating: Easy

Continue your journey by visiting the incredible Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island. Acadia National Park is a joy to the senses with a pristine natural landscape of granite mountains, lakes, rocky coastlines, islands and rolling ocean waves, with an abundance of wildlife.Of course, the reason Acadia has built such a reputation is due to the sheer volume of hiking opportunities available, with about 125 miles of trails which are often interconnected, and which range in difficulty from easy to strenuous.In the afternoon of day 9, you walk an easy trail but one of the best of its class in this area. The scenic Ocean Path trail meanders in a southerly direction along the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island, for approximately two miles until it arrives at Otter Cliff and Otter Point with numerous points to stop for the perfect picture. For those not wanting to walk today, you can explore the town of Bar Harbor or try one of the optional activities and excursions this area is so well known for, such as sea kayaking or deep-sea fishing… TRAIL NAME: OCEAN PATHMileage: 2 miles (3.21 kms)Altitude change: minimalDuration: 1-2 hoursRating: EasyThe following day you walk one of Acadia’s most beautiful hiking trails, the Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail – after all, there are some hikes that just must be done. Rated as moderate, this hike is gradual and most of the trail is easy going on exposed granite. The trail features numerous scenic lookouts over Frenchman Bay in Bar Harbor, as well as interesting groves of stunted pine fit for a hobbit… TRAIL NAME: CADILLAC MOUNTAIN NORTH RIDGE TRAILMileage: 4.5 miles (7.24 kms)Altitude change: 1148 feetDuration: 2-3 hoursRating: Moderate

On the way back to Boston, you’ll drive up Mount Battie for views over Camden and the islands around Penobscot Bay. Your journey ends in Boston, one of America’s oldest cities. We recommend you book yourself a few extra nights’ accommodation to explore the many attractions of the city.Founded in 1630 by Puritan colonists, it has been at the forefront of American history and the country’s fight for independence. Events like the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party played pivotal roles in that struggle and have become part of American folklore. With time to explore you could also pay a visit to Harvard University, located in the suburbs of Boston. New England is renowned for its delicious seafood, the thick seafood soup known as New England clam chowder, so before you leave make sure you grab a bowl or two.This tour ends at our gateway hotel in Boston at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.