Rutland is an excellent destination as there are many hiking options available. I researched several but haven't actually done them all, hopefully you will find something that meets your needs. An out and back is obviously possible in any direction and can give you full control over the desired distance/time, but I find the point to point routes more compelling.

How I Got There

I stopped in Iowa and stayed with a friend to split it into two one day trips. I didn't see any camping or hiking options to take advantage of on this leg of the journey but since I had a shower and bed waiting for me, I didn't put too much effort into it. The direct route from Glenwood Springs, CO to Rutland, VT is three segments on Amtrak.

  1. GSC to CHI (~26 hours) Departs 12:10pm, Arrives 2:50pm
  2. CHI to SDY (~6.5 hour layover then ~16 hours) Departs 9:30pm, Arrives 2:15pm
  3. SDY to RUD (~3 hour layover then ~2.5 hours) Departs: 5:28pm, Arrives: 7:46pm

Alternatives Considered

  1. Train route to end the hike in Rutland
    1. CHI to SPG (~19 hours) Departs: 9:30pm, Arrives: 5:40pm
      • Would have to overnight in SPG
    2. SPG to WAB (~4.5 hours) Departs: 3:15pm, Arrives: 7:50pm
      • Arrives too late for the Green Route bus (5.2 miles to the trail head)
  2. Bus route to start/end hiking in Rutland or Bennington
    1. CHI to ALB (6.5 hour layover then ~16 hours) Departs 9:30pm, Arrives 2:53pm
    2. Vermont Transline bus (~5 hour layover $24 Rutland, $10 Bennington Departs 7:45pm, Arrives: 10:33pm/9:00pm)
      • Either way I would have to overnight in town and catch the bus to the trail head on the next day

Directions to the AT/Long Trail from RUD

  1. From the Amtrak station walk 0.2 miles to the Marble Valley Regional Transit Center.
    1. East on Merchants Ave
    2. North (left) on Merchants Row
    3. East (right) on West St
  2. Take the Rutland-Killington Commutter to the Pico Mountain Resort ($2.00, 21 minutes)
    • In the summer you can catch the 8:15/10:15pm bus. The morning bus leaves at 7:15am as I wouldn't recommend a ten mile night walk on US-4.
  3. Walk North out of the resort back to US-4
  4. Head west (left) on US-4 (0.6 miles) look for the parking lot on the left it is just before the trail head(s).

Various Hike Options

Long Trail North

  1. Rutland to Waterbury (US-4 to Bolton Notch Rd/Route 2, 80 miles)
    1. Walk Duxbury/River road east to Waterbury Amtrak station (7.5 miles)
      1. Left on Winooski St
      2. Right on Main St
      3. Left on Park Row
      4. Right on Rotarian Pl
    2. Waterbury, VT (WAB) to Springfiled, MA (SPG) Departs 10:10am, Arrives 2:35pm
    3. SPG to CHI (~20 hours) Departs: 3:26pm, Arrives 10:12am

Long Trail/AT South

  1. Rutland to Manchester (US-4 to Prospect Rock, 55 miles)

    1. Hike out Town Highway 26 to Manchester Center Amtrak Bus Stop (4.5 miles)
    2. Albany (ALB)
      1. Vermont Translines ($16, ~1.5 hours) Departs: 4:25pm, Arrives 6:05pm
      2. ALB to CHI (1 hour layover then ~16 hours) Departs: 7:05pm, Arrives: 10:12am
    • Alternate if for some reason you wanted to return to Rutland (RUD)
      1. Hike out Town Highway 26 to Chittenden Bank Manchester (4.3 miles)
      2. Manchester Bus to Marble Valley Regional Transit Center ($2.00, 59 minutes, very limited schedule)
      3. Walk .2 miles to Amtrak
      4. RUD to SDY Departs 12:20pm, Arrives: 2:31pm
      5. SDY to CHI (~5 hour layover then ~23 hours) Departs: 7:33pm, Arrives: 10:12am

  2. Rutland to Bennington (US-4 to VT-9 90 miles)

    1. Bus back to Amtrak
      1. Emerald Line LT/AT trail head to the Bus Terminal, 215 Pleasant Street
        1. You must call to request a stop at the trail head (bus runs infrequently and is free)
      2. Albany (ALB)
        1. Vermont Translines ($10, ~1 hour) Departs: 5:00pm, Arrives 6:05pm
        2. ALB to CHI (~16 hours) Departs: 7:05pm, Arrives: 10:12am
      • Alternate if for some reason you wanted to return to Rutland (RUD)
        1. Orange Line Bus Terminal at Bus Terminal to Manchester Town Office (~1 hour, limited schedule)
        2. Use the Manchester Bus directions above to return to Rutland

  3. Rutland to Pittsfield MA (US-4 to MA-8 and 9-Dalton, MA) (132 miles)

    1. Gulf Road Parking lot to Park Ave & High St (0.2 miles east)
    2. Hinsdale #4 Bus to Intermodal Center ($1.75, ~40 minutes)
    3. Walk to Berkshire Regional Transit Authority for Amtrak (0.1 miles)
    4. PIT to CHI (Minimum ~1 hour layover then ~18 hours) Departs 4:42pm, Arrives: 10:12am

Appalachian Trail East

  1. Rutland to White River Junction (US-4 to Norwich 43 Miles)
    1. Exit the AT on Elm St and walk 1.2 miles to the Opp. Kildeer Farmstand SB
    2. Catch the Green Route (Free)
    3. Walk from the Hartford Municipal Bldg SB across the river to White River Junction for Amtrak (0.3 miles)
    4. WRJ to SPG (Minimum ~10 minute layover then ~3 hours) Departs: 11:36am, Arrives: 2:35pm
    5. SPG to CHI (<1 hour layover then ~20 hours) Departs: 3:26pm, Arrives 10:12am

Images from my Long Trail South Hike

Mendon, Vermont, United States Shrewsbury, Vermont, United States Cairn Summit Mt Tabor, Vermont, United States

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