Champlain Area Trails (CATS) will host the 2018 Grand Hike on Saturday, May 12. This year’s 14-mile route will run from the Westport Train Station to the Essex Inn, beginning with a new trail on land CATS just conserved in the Westport area.

The Grand Hike leads to a Block Party at The Essex Inn, featuring the Steady Benders band, food and drink. A buffet dinner will be available at the Essex Inn for $15, with reservations made with the Grand Hike registration.

Hikers will park their cars in Essex at 10:30 am and catch a shuttle bus to the check-in at Westport from 10:45 to 11:30 am, and then walk to Essex. Those shuttle buses will run all day between Westport and Essex, passing the three oases staffed with volunteers and refreshments along the route. Hikers can join or leave the Grand Hike at any of those oases as well. This year’s oases are sponsored by Ernie’s Market in Westport, Essex Initiatives and Dak Bars, Dogwood Bakery in Wadhams and the Village Meat Market in Willsboro.

The Grand Hiker is open to all. The registration fee is $25 before May 7, $30 after May 7. Children under 17 are free. Non-hikers are welcome at the dinner and Block Party. To register, click here or call the CATS office at (518) 962-2287.

Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is a nonprofit organization that creates and maintains hiking and cross-country ski trails in the Champlain Valley, with the goal of linking communities, connecting people with nature and promoting economic vitality. For more information, visit their website or call (518) 962-2287.

Photo of Grand Hike provided by Champlain Area Trails.