Self Guided Walking Tours
Walking Vermont by Season
People often think of fall first when they imagine Vermont, and for good reason. Our fall walking tours fill quickly thanks to the foliage, crisp air, and classic New England feel. Those dates are limited and priced accordingly.
What many people don’t realize is that spring and summer offer equally beautiful, and sometimes more comfortable, walking conditions, with more availability and lower rates.
We’re from Mississippi and had never explored the rural areas of New England before.
This tour was the perfect opportunity to see the countryside, meet some locals,
sample the regional cuisine, and stretch our legs. The accommodations were all
different and ranged from eclectic to romantic, the hiking was primarily on quiet
dirt roads, and the towns were charming. We had one full day of rain and were glad
to be prepared.— Alex B.
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Seasonal Temperatures at a Glance in Southern Vermont*
- May: Highs in the mid-60s to low 70s
- June: Highs in the low to mid-70s
- July: Highs in the mid-70s to low 80s
- August: Highs in the mid-70s to around 80
- September: Highs in the mid-60s to low 70s
- October: Highs in the 50s, cooler mornings and evenings
*Weather varies year to year, but overall the Green Mountains remain one of the cooler and more comfortable regions for walking tours from late spring through early fall.
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Spring Walking Tours
May & June
Spring in southern Vermont is a time of movement and change. As the snow melts off the mountains, streams and rivers run full, fields turn bright green, and the woods begin to wake up.
Walks in May and June often pass:
- Flowing rivers and waterfalls
- Early wildflowers along quiet back roads
- Farm fields with baby farm animals
- Cool, fresh air that’s ideal for long days on your feet
Temperatures are typically mild, with daytime highs in the 60s and low 70s and cooler mornings and evenings. It’s a favorite season for guests who enjoy watching the landscape come back to life and prefer quieter trails.
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Summer Walking Tours
July & August
Summer in Vermont is very different from summer in much of the country. While large parts of the U.S. experience extreme heat, southern Vermont tends to stay warm but manageable, especially at elevation.
Many of our summer guests come from places like Texas, the Southeast, or the Southwest; regions where July and August can feel oppressive. Here, daytime highs usually land in the 70s to low 80s, with noticeably cooler nights. Precipitation: Generally moderate, with about 3.76 inches of rain throughout the month. July is considered the peak of summer, making it ideal for hiking and swimming (The Golden Stage inn offers a fabulous pool with loungers, and there are local swimming holes along the routes – just ask your innkeepers for recommendations).
Summer walks offer:
- Shaded forest roads and mountain breezes
- Long daylight hours
- Lush fields, gardens, and working farms
- Comfortable evenings for sitting outside at the inns
If you’re looking for a way to stay active without battling extreme heat, summer is one of the most underrated times to walk Vermont.
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Fall Walking Tours
September & October
Fall is Vermont at its most famous. By late September and October, the green hills around Weston, Chester, Cavendish, and Ludlow turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold.
Fall walking days are cooler and drier, with daytime temperatures often in the 50s and 60s. Streams tend to be lower by this point in the year, and the landscape feels calmer and more settled after the busy growing season.
Because fall dates are limited and in high demand, these tours typically book well in advance and are priced higher than spring and summer departures.
I did the Vermont Inn-to-Inn walking tour in May 2024 and loved it. About 90% of the walk is on quiet rural dirt roads so it wasn’t just beautiful and safe, but also soft on the feet. The highlight of the walk was the Inns. They are each pretty but very different reflecting the personalities of the owners. They all share one thing in common, passionate and friendly hosts that make you feel at home. The other highlight of the adventure is getting to know other hikers. You’re in a group that stays together for 4 days. We usually walked separately, but we shared drinks and meals together each day and got to know each other very well. (It’s as close to a Camino de Santiago social setting as I’ve ever seen in the US.) FWIW… My wife isn’t a long distance walker, so while I walked, her friend and she did various activities in the area including horseback riding and sightseeing. We all loved the Inn-to-Inn tour and highly recommend it.
— Bill W.