WILLOW CREEK — Hikers can now walk from one bed-and-breakfast to another without ever leaving the trail, under a new inn-to-inn hiking program that links Willow Creek’s two lodging houses with the Mattawamkeag River Trail system.
The route begins at the Maple Crest B&B on Pond Road, follows 3 miles of marked trail through the Farr Family Farm woodlot, joins the Mattawamkeag River Trail for 4 miles south along the river, and ends at the Riverbend B&B on River Road. The total distance is 8 miles, suitable for a moderate full-day hike with time for lunch at the Dry Dock, which sits near the midpoint.
Each B&B offers a discounted “hiker’s package” that includes overnight lodging, a packed lunch, and a shuttle back to the starting point. Combined, the two properties can accommodate up to 14 hikers per night.
Maple Crest owner Patricia LaFleur said the program grew out of a tourism committee brainstorming session.
“We have two beautiful B&Bs and a beautiful trail, and nobody had ever connected them in a way that made multi-day hiking possible,” LaFleur said. “This is not the Appalachian Trail. It’s a gentle river walk with a good dinner at the end. That’s the audience we are targeting — people who want to hike, but not suffer.”
The two B&Bs collaborated on a common brochure and website page, sharing the $600 printing and design cost. Tourism committee chair Dean Moreau contributed a sample dinner menu for the hiker’s package participants who end their day at the Dry Dock.
Route signage was installed using volunteer labor from the Willow Creek Trails Association. Trail conditions are rated moderate, with two stream crossings on footbridges and a gradual elevation gain of approximately 300 feet through the Farr woodlot.
Henry Farr, whose farm sits at the midpoint of the route, said the hikers have been good for business.
“I sell more cheese and eggs to B&B guests than I do at the farmers market,” Farr said. “And they don’t complain about the price.”
The route opened May 15. The B&Bs reported a combined 12 hiker bookings for the opening weekend.