Bethel Village Trails

Blue trails are ski trails, some of which are great for hiking during the off-season. Light green trails are summer biking trails that can also be hiked. My map is incomplete — there are more x-c ski, snowshoe, and fat bike trails here!

This Nordic ski trail system is lengthy and fantastic: There are almost 15 miles of groomed Nordic track and more than 9 miles of snowshoe and fat bike trails that spread out around the golf course behind the Bethel Inn. Two little hills punctuate either end, Pine Hill and Grover Hill, creating some drama for skiers. The mountain views are really lovely from many points along the trails. You can buy a day pass in a little shop tucked into the backside of the Bethel Inn.

The trails around the golf course are mostly easy, with some being quite exposed. The wooded trails across Route 5, on Pine Hill (behind Gould Academy), are curvier and steeper — it’s where the students practice and race.

Hiking: While you can hike here, the area during the non-winter months is geared toward mountain bike riders. That means a lot of excessively windy trails, narrow single track through wide grassy lanes, and bike riders you should make way for! That being said, I really enjoyed my summertime hikes here. I walked from the golf course to Grover Hill seeking views, and while I did have an occasional peek of a distant mountain, including from the end of the Grover Hill Summit Trail (nothing too spectacular), the best part of the hike was the peaceful solitude. Another nice place for walkers is the streamside trail between Mill Brook and Route 5.

Directions: The best place to start is at the Bethel Inn, at 21 Broad Street. Park in the lot next to the main building (between the inn and health center/pool) and walk around to the back of the main inn to find the ski center/shop/rental place. It’s near the tennis courts (and converts into the golf shop in the summer). Additionally, there’s a shoulder on Fairway Road where you can park if you’re hiking in the summer.