This is the Web site of the Hartland Winter Trails. The cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails provide a unique opportunity to meander through fields and back woods; over gently-rolling to steep terrain in the Three- and Four-Corners areas of Hartland, Vermont. The trails are all on private properties, are created and maintained by volunteers, and open to the community free of charge.

Tiki Torch Trek Wrap-up

WOW! That pretty-well sums up the evening! Light fluffy snow was falling late Saturday afternoon as people began arriving before 5:00pm. A shuttle van carried people the short distance to the trailhead near the Hartland fire station. There, people donned their skis and snowshoes for the short trip to the food and bonfire area. We had plenty of food including some awesome cheese soup, chili, sandwiches, and a varied selection of dessert treats. These were donated by local businesses including BG's Market, Cedar Mountain Farm, Mike's, Simon Pearce, Skunk Hollow Tavern, and Stella's Restaurant, as well as many generous "friends" of Hartland Winter Trails. As some sat around the bonfire and listened to music, others ventured out onto nearby trails to follow the tiki torches and luminaries that guided the way. Poems by Robert Frost were scattered along the way, where they were lit by torch light.

The turn-out was truly amazing! Well over 100 people - many of whom were young children - experienced the magic of the evening, as the snow fell lightly. Thanks so much to everyone who came and shared this experience with volunteers from Hartland Winter Trails.

It is snowing heavily as I write this, with a very fluffy powder - perfect for skis and snowshoes. Get out there and enjoy it!

The first ski trail was created in the early 1970s by Hartland resident Henry Merritt. Mr. Merritt started cross-country skiing, with his daughter, from their back porch onto the trail Henry had cut. Three students from a local high school ski racing team, were looking for a place to train, and along with neighboring landowners, decided the trail could and should be extended. Through their efforts the Merritt trail grew into a 5-kilometer loop during the winter of 1973.

Over the years, the main trail loop was lengthened and connector trails were added - all of this with the help of skier-volunteers and through the thoughtfulness of the local landowners. The trail system now comprises approximately 20 kilometers of varied terrain which is groomed, when snow conditions permit by a trail volunteer.

In 2004, the group made some changes to further solidify its place in the community, and ensure the long-term stability of the organization and of the trails. We are now part of Hartland's town recreation department, although we are still self-governing and financially self-sufficient.

The Hartland cross-country ski and snowshoeing trails are entirely on private property. About 25 landowners are generous enough to let their property be used for winter recreation. It is only with each landowner's continued support that the trails will continue to exist. Good relations with the landowners are essential to the future of the trail system! Please respect the privilege of sharing their land.

That being said, we have permission to use the trails during winter for human-powered recreation - namely cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Other forms of transport such as horse, dog team with (or without) sled, snowmobile, and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) are not permitted with the exception of trail grooming equipment. Snowshoers; please, please, stay off to the side of the prepared trail and out of the tracks!

Use of the trails in other seasons is not permitted.

Now just a few words about landowner liability... We are fortunate in Vermont to have laws which help protect landowners from liability suits. The laws encourage landowners to open their property for recreational use. You - the skier or snowshoer - use the trails completely at your own risk.

We understand that active owners love to take "Fido" along for some exercise too. That's fine as long as man's (and women's) best friend remains on a leash and under control at all times. This is necessary to avoid any trouble with other skiers, dogs, or wildlife. Try to keep your dog(s) out of the prepared track. Please be courteous to the landowners and other trail users.

Help! Help! Help! That's how the trail network survives and thrives. From fall through spring there are branches to clear, brush to clear, markers to replace, landowners to talk with, snow banks to shovel out... Well, you get the picture. There are many opportunities for you to help keep things running. Please get in touch with us, if you can help out.