Inn to Inn Hiking

Inn to Inn hiking is hiking on a whole different level.

No 60-pound pack, no tent, no sleeping on the ground. While enjoying some of the most beautiful scenery that the Colorado Rockies have to offer, at day's end the walker arrives at the door of an intimate B&B or rustic lodge where a cold beer, a hot shower, gourmet dining, and a soft bed await.

In the morning after waffles and strawberries, the trail continues to the next anticipated stop. Luggage is transferred to the next destination so all that's carried is a daypack. Sound good? You may not have experienced anything better.

The newly established Walter Tishma Way is a 42-mile, inn-to-inn hiking route. Like the long-distance trails of Britain and Europe, the WTW makes use of existing trails, roads, and country lanes and although most of the route is in Rocky Mountain National Park, it never strays too far from civilization. Hiking distance between each inn is between 10 and 12 miles.

The route begins on the outskirts of Estes Park before gradually pulling west into Rocky Mountain National Park. It then skirts the Estes Valley through several of the beautiful open meadows once homesteaded and ranched before the Park's formation. The trail continues to the higher ground of Tahosa Valley, always within view of the dramatic east face of Longs Peak, then heads south to Allenspark.

Lodging is diverse and can range from an intimate B&B, a historical lodge, a dude ranch, or a cabin in the backyard. Whatever it is, it's fun and the change from night to night is part of the adventure. Take the opportunity to make the trip longer or easier by adding rest days or plan a day of fly-fishing, horseback riding, or a shopping day in town.
Guided and self-guided trips are available. If you're flying to Denver, you can even arrange to be picked up and dropped off at the Denver Airport for a total car-less vacation. No car. No gas.

As one walker said, "The blue sky was incredible, the scenery was magnificent and we ended with a great sense of accomplishment...and we saw three times as many elk as people."

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Footpaths of the World • 970.586.2995 • www.footpathsoftheworld.com