Join us for the Grand Hike on Saturday, May 10th!

We are excited to invite you to our signature celebration of CATS' town-to-town trails! Prepare for an unforgettable day filled with joy, camaraderie, and the stunning beauty of the Champlain Valley's majestic low-peak mountains and lush farmlands.

  

This exciting 16-mile hike through the beautiful scenery of the Champlain Valley features four rest stops with food, water, and restrooms, as well as a chance to connect with fellow hikers and make new friends.

  

Thanks to your feedback, we have improved parking, enhanced on-route amenities, added more trails along the route, and created a vibrant finish-line celebration to honor your accomplishment! Local food vendors, musicians, and community organizations will join this post-hike celebration. Shuttles and shortcuts will be available to customize your hike, ranging from 2 to 16 miles.

  

Plus, each participant will receive an event t-shirt!

  

Event Details

  

- Start Location: Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center in Lewis, NY

  

- End Location: Outside the  Whallonsburg Grange in Whallonsburg, NY. A lively post-hike celebration awaits hikers and walkers,  featuring live music, local food and drinks for purchase, outdoor games, and participation from community groups. 

The shuttle will return you to your car at the fairgrounds from the post-hike celebration.   

  

MAP AND ROUTE DESCRIPTION: Get ready for an adventure! Click here for an exciting map preview and a description of our amazing mostly-trail route! And thanks to a generous donor and landowners, this trail will be a CATS trail after the event and available on AllTrails for you to enjoy!

  

At the post-hike celebration, check out the delicious food available for purchase, enjoy community musicians, and learn from community groups. Treat yourself to tasty options from:

River & Rails Market & Deli: This local, family-owned business will offer a variety of deli sandwiches, sides, soft-serve ice cream, and refreshing drinks for purchase.

Farmstead Catering: Enjoy locally grown and made burgers (both beef and bean), hot dogs, sides, and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase at this pop-up by a local farm-to-table caterer in the Adirondacks.

Everyone is welcome to attend the post-hike and community celebration, so even if you can’t participate in the hike, we’d love to see you there!

  

Hike Schedule

- Check-in and day of registration: 8:30 AM to 10 AM at Essex County Fairgrounds, Westport, NY

- Start Time: 10 AM

- Post-Event Celebration:  2 PM to 7 PM behind the  Whitcombs Arts in Whallonsburg, NY. 

- Transportation: Hikers will board a bus at the Essex County Fairgrounds in Westport to get to the Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center.  You can also start your hike at one of the Oases or take a shuttle to the celebration from the Fairgrounds. The shuttle will return you to your car at the fairgrounds from he post-hike celebration. 

  

Registration Fees

The registration fee includes all of the following:

• An event t-shirt available at check-in  

• Transportation, snacks, water, portable toilets, and rest stops during the hike  

• A post-hike celebration featuring music and community groups  

• Food and drinks available for purchase during the post-hike celebration  

• Staff time dedicated to organizing the event throughout the year, including creating the trail for the event!

  

- $45 per person if registered by May 5th.

- $50 per person after May 5th.

- $55 per person on the day of the event.

- Children under 18 can hike for free and do not need to register!

  

  

If you can’t make it but would still like to support CATS, please click to donate!

  

  

  

THANK YOU, SPONSORS!

For sponsorship inquiries, contact Amber@champlainareatrails.com. All event proceeds support CATS' mission to save land and create trails that connect people to nature, all promoting economic vitality in the Champlain Valley.

  

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