Section hike in Sept from Bennington, VT to Pauling, NY

[Stepinwolfe]

I’m planning a section hike in Sept from Bennington, VT to Pauling, NY. I live in VA and need advice on transportation options, parking (if I drive), and whether to do this section N-S or S-N.

[Slo-go'en]

Bennington is only 17 miles from the MA/VT line. Unless you have some overwhelming need to do those 17 miles (which aren't all that interesting), you'd be better off starting (or getting off) at Williamstown, MA (and is basically on the VT/MA boarder) which you can get to by bus from Boston. (if you really need to do that little piece of VT, do an up and back from Williamstown).

Just north of the road to Pauling, NY is the AT Railroad station which you can go to NYC on (but only on the weekends so you have to time it right). Doesn't much matter which way you go as far as physical effort goes.

[Jeff]

There is local bus transportation from Williamstown, MA to Bennington M-F 4 times a day.

http://www.greenmtncn.org/benn-williamstown-purple.html

A connection in Bennington takes you directly to the AT/LT trailhead M-F 3 times a day.

http://www.greenmtncn.org/emerald-line.html

[Sarcasm the elf]

Bennington is only 17 miles from the MA/VT line. Unless you have some overwhelming need to do those 17 miles (which aren't all that interesting), you'd be better off starting (or getting off) at Williamstown, MA (and is basically on the VT/MA boarder) which you can get to by bus from Boston. (if you really need to do that little piece of VT, do an up and back from Williamstown).

Just north of the road to Pauling, NY is the AT Railroad station which you can go to NYC on (but only on the weekends so you have to time it right). Doesn't much matter which way you go as far as physical effort goes.

Regarding Pawling the full service Pawling train station is only 2.5 miles away from the A.T. Crossing at rte 22, so if you get to the A.T. Station on a weekday, it is easy enough to get to the Pawling station from there.