appalachian trail adventures

My weekend with ATA was one of the best solo trips I've ever taken. Originally scheduled to go in August, I had to cancel my trip twice, but John didn't give up on me. He welcomed me as though October was my first/original reservation. A native Brooklynite, this was my first time doing anything like this, so I was a little nervous. The staff of ATA provided encouragement and made me feel at ease throughout the weekend. So, much so that I felt guilty for backing out of the caving expedition at the last minute. One of the great things about ATA is the custom services they provide to their customers. The daily hikes are customized to each a hikers abilities and desires and after the hikes side excursions are also customized. Although I traveled solo, I took my hikes with a group of friends who were there the same weekend. However, at our first pre-hike morning meeting, John assured me that he would provide a separate guide for me if I didn't want to do the hikes the other ladies were interested in. The accommodations and food were also excellent. The staff at the lodge were friendly & helpful, the rooms were comfortable and the meals provided were substantial enough that I didn't find myself hungry between meals or during the hike. I look forward to taking a longer trip next season & can see making this an annual solo trip if I can't coax any of my city slicker friends to join me. Oh... how could I forget Aeolus, John's adorable beagle that accompanied us on the hikes & my great post-hike massage.

I can only echo all that has been said before me. My sister and I and another were looking for something to do for a week Appalachian Trail Adventures fitted the bill perfectly. Each morning John would arrive and work out the options for the day with the aim of providing everyone with what they wanted. Which is exactly how it worked We walked, we kayaked, we kayaked across beaver dams (that was a new experience), visited a corn maze and Woodstock. The Summit Lodge is comfortable and friendly and John provides a sitting room with computer and tea and coffee makings. We all had great massages which made the muscles fairly ache-free. John and his team do all they can to make your stay as good as it can be

My week with ATA exceeded my high expectations. I coordinated the visit with a friend who had gone three years before and loved it. In our week long stay I enjoyed 6 hikes (mostly 5-6 hours with a shorter outing on day of departure), kayaking, massages, yoga classes, hot tub, and even a tennis lesson with an expert pro on clay court. John and his assistants Leslie and Jen were wonderful guides, choosing hikes each day based on our abilities and interests. Usually my friend and I were alone with a guide, though sometimes a larger group started out with multiple guides. I was never pushed beyond my moderately slow pace. And thanks to yoga and hot tub, I didn't experience a single sore muscle or even stiffness. I am 68 and relatively fit, but expected some pain from daily hikes with elevation changes. I was pleasantly surprised at the diversity of the other guests. During our stay there was one group of 8 women who came together, but also four people who came as individuals - two of them young women (one from England, one from NYC), a middle aged man from Canaada, and a woman from Manhattan who didn't hike but wanted to enjoy the outdoors and friendly company. The Summit hotel has seen better days and is a little rustic, but accommodations were adequate and breakfast and packed lunches were good enough.

I am delighted that I chose ATA for my hiking vacation in Vermont. John is much more than a hiking guide. He is a genuinely thoughtful man who takes pride in gearing each guest's holiday to their individual ambitions and needs. He has an extremely in-depth knowledge and love of the local area which means his suggestions are well considered and his planning is meticulous. He has also provided some thoughtful facilities at The Summit which meant I felt less like a guest during my time there and more like a resident :) He works with some very talented local guides - I was lucky to spend time with Lesley, Jen and Trisha, each of whom made me feel very brave despite my novice status. I had a couple of amazing days with Lesley towards the end of my trip, she managed to teach me loads about the local environment while making me laugh so hard I forgot my legs were aching! I saw some absolutely beautiful sights during my time there - herons, loons, incredible views from summits, plus fall colours which changed magically by the moment. Added to which I felt genuinely looked after and welcomed by everyone there. Thank you so much John and everyone at ATA (including Aeolus) for such a great holiday. Micki from the UK

So we are a couple 50+ boomers who live on the West Coast, but our bucket list includes hiking the Appalachian Trail. What to do? So glad my internet search found John Keough's Appalachian Trail Adventures in Killington, VT. John's all-in-one trip service is so much more than hiking. Our guide Leslie was a keeper. She made each hike fun and informing - time flew by. The morning hike was followed by sightseeing one day and kayaking another - we chose the activity. The trip included all meals, lodging, transport. So cool to just come as you are. Thanks for the memories. Just do it!

John, Leslie, and Jen were very friendly and geared your hike to your ability and pace!Guides knew the trails, and weather conditions in the mountains, guides also did a checkof your gear on what to bring on an outing, Guides also new about the flora and fauna, wildlife,places to eat in the area, and also had a good sense of humour.

We weren't really sure what to expect but it turns our we didn't need to worry. John discussed the options for the day regarding the type of hike we wanted and selected a trail that would meet those needs and concerns for our fitness level. We had three days of challenging but fun and entertaining hikes. We saw beautiful waterfalls and wonderful views. John and Leslie educated us on the Appalachian Trail and its flora and fauna. We also learned to kayak. We had never kayaked before but John and Leslie taught us the first day on a calm pond. By the next day we were hopping beaver dams and successfully navigating the small rapids. We looked forward to nightly massages, set up by John, which were most welcome after a very active day. We thoroughly enjoyed John and Leslie's company and guidance during our hiking and kayaking adventure. They provided everything you need for the day, including lunch, so we just had to show up and enjoy the day.

Just came back from spending a 3 day weekend with Appalachian trail adventures hiking in Vermont. What makes this outfit not your regular run of the mill hiking club is its owner and operator John . His enthusiasm, dedication and love of sport and area can rarely be matched. His unique approach to every guest guarantees that you will have an experience that suits your personal adventure tolerance level. Not to forget his assistant Aeolus ( a beagle named after the Greek god of wind) .Loved it!

This tour exceeded our expectations! The mile long hike up to the cave was a really refreshing workout in a beautiful forest, including a rock scramble directly up to the cave, and the cave itself was challenging and very different than the usual. John was so friendly and accomodating, letting us pick and choose which parts of the cave we wanted to explore based on our comfort level. Thank you for a really great day and lots of fun memories!

John and Leslie were incredibly attentive hosts for our father/daughter hiking trip. They tailored the experience based on our interests and abilities and remained flexible as our preferences changed throughout the day. They catered to our every whim - nothing was too much for them. They chose beautiful hikes and kayaking excursions and made it incredibly easy for us. I highly recommend them!

I just came back from a four-day adventure with Appalachian Trail Adventures, and I have to say the experience exceeded my expectations in every way. John and his staff of guides--Leslie and Betsy--were amazingly attentive, doing their utmost to customize the experience for each guest. And the experiences themselves were awesome, including hikes on the Appalachian trail, kayaking on local streams, and caving in a nearby Talus cave.The caving adventure, in particular, was absolutely unique! John and his staff dealt with all of the logistics, so I could just focus on having fun. In addition, it was great to meet new people sharing the adventure. John helped with this, too, as guests were encouraged to meet for dinner as well as share breakfast before the day's activities. Very highly recommended!

Our guide John was friendly, reliable, and very knowledgeable. His company was easy to do business with and John was always professional. John ensured that we had all the equipment we needed for our adventures and he kept us safe. Can't wait to return!!

I have spent 5 wonderful days filled with hiking and kayaking excursions with the ATA team this July. John and the guides were super friendly and they did everything to make my stay so very enjoyable. The level of challenge of the activities was perfect, they took care of all the logistics and I could simply enjoy it all with zero stress. The Inn was clean and comfortable, the food was very good. I recommend it without any hesitation.Helene L.

I was looking for a place where I could leave my head and just enjoy some physical activity w/o having a travel companion. John made that possible while he was flexible and gave you options ..he took care of all the details. Leslie, one of the guides, was so encouraging and made me feel very comfortable. We had a blast together. The food was great and the local people very friendly.

Went with a girlfriend for a weekend of hiking and had a great experience with John and his colleague, Leslie. Great hikes, afternoon kayaking and good company along the trail! Definitely recommend ATA.