Hut to Hut Hiking USA

A Comprehensive Guide to Hut-to-Hut and Inn-to-Inn Hiking

Welcome to a fresh perspective on hiking in the United States. If you’re exploring options for your next outdoor adventure, you may be familiar with the traditional images of backpacking across expansive national parks and rugged landscapes.

However, there’s a different approach to hiking, one that offers a unique blend of adventure and comfort, solitude and connection. This guide introduces you to the European hiking styles — hut to hut and inn to inn — adapted for the rich and varied terrains of the U.S.

Thru-hiking / Backpacking vs. Hut-to-Hut / Inn-to-Inn Hiking

Hiking in the United States has traditionally been synonymous with backpacking or thru-hiking, where adventurers carry all their necessities on their backs, setting up camp in tents or shelters along the way.

This form of exploration, while rewarding, demands a significant degree of self-sufficiency and comfort with remote, often rugged conditions.

Examples of backpacking or thru-hiking in the American style, which emphasizes complete self-sufficiency, include the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and the John Muir Trail. The Sneffels Traverse, with its self-catered lodges, also aligns with this approach.

In contrast, a style of hiking popular in Europe offers a different kind of journey – one that treads the line between adventure and comfort, solitude and community.

This approach, known as hut-to-hut or inn-to-inn hiking, is built around the idea of walking from one catered lodging to the next. Unlike the American perception of huts as basic, uncatered shelters, the European model typically involves fully serviced huts.

Here, hikers are greeted with a warm meal and a bed for the night – amenities that provide a welcome respite after a day’s trek. While a sleeping bag might still be necessary, the focus is on minimizing the load carried by hikers, allowing for a more leisurely exploration of the trails.

Hut-to-Hut Hiking vs. Inn-to-Inn Hiking

Hut-to-hut hiking ventures into the wilderness, connecting remote huts that offer basic but crucial services, far from the nearest road. It’s an experience that immerses hikers in nature, away from the trappings of modern life, yet provides a level of care and comfort not typically associated with backcountry hiking.

On the other end of the spectrum, inn-to-inn hiking is designed for those seeking an even more comfortable experience. This hiking style is less physically and technically demanding, connecting towns and villages through trails that lead to hotels or B&Bs each night.

It’s an ideal choice for those who wish to enjoy the beauty of the landscape without the full rigor of backcountry hiking, blending outdoor adventure with the comfort of a well-made bed and a hot shower at the end of the day.

4 Best Hut-to-Hut Hiking Areas in the USA

1. White Mountains, New Hampshire

In the White Mountains of New Hampshire, hikers can traverse the majestic Presidential Peaks, finding refuge in the Appalachian Mountain Club’s strategically placed huts, which offer a blend of comfort and camaraderie in the heart of the wilderness.

2. Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite National Park in California invites adventurers to explore its towering mountains and serene valleys, with the High Sierra Camps providing a network of high-mountain camps that serve as serene stopovers amidst the park’s breathtaking landscapes.

3. Sneffels Mountain Range, Colorado

The Sneffels Mountain Range in Colorado offers a route for the more adventurous types, featuring a self-sufficient hike through rugged terrain, with self-catered small lodges offering a modest respite from the elements.

4. Bigelow Preserve, Maine

Nestled in the expanse of Bigelow Preserve in Maine, hikers can discover a series of Maine huts that follow the European tradition, offering a cozy retreat and a touch of hospitality amid the natural beauty of the preserve.

4 Best Inn-to-Inn Hiking Areas in the USA

1. Monterey Bay, California

Along the scenic coast of Monterey Bay, hikers are treated to breathtaking waterfront trails and expansive sandy beaches, with a rich array of wildlife complemented by cozy inns.

2. San Francisco, California

San Francisco serves as a gateway to astonishing landscapes, offering an escape from the bustling cityscape into serene coastal towns, state parks, and beaches known for their surfing traditions, capturing the spirit of Northern California.

3. Rogue River Canyon, Oregon

The Rogue River Canyon presents an untouched natural wonder, accessible only by foot or raft, where the serene trails of the Rogue River Trail unfold along the river’s course, lined with lodges that offer solace amidst the canyon’s grandeur.

4. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Around Estes Park, the Rocky Mountain National Park unfolds in a spectacle of mountains, meadows, and high mountain passes traversed by the Walter Tishma Way.

Why this type of hiking?

By introducing these European hiking styles to the United States, we aim to offer an alternative that marries the beauty of America’s natural landscapes with the pleasure of comfortable, catered accommodations.

Whether drawn to the simplicity of hut-to-hut hiking or the ease and comfort of inn-to-in trails, there’s a path for every preference. Our mission is to make these memorable experiences accessible to all, regardless of one’s desire or ability to backpack in the traditional sense.

In embracing the European approach, we’re opening up a new way to explore the United States and inviting all hikers to discover a different pace of adventure.