This little resort town is ready to charm you. The pace of the town slows the heart and, after a brief adjustment, you'll find yourself wanting more. Grab a picnic lunch and a backpack and head off through town. Killington offers 45 miles of hiking trails from the top of its eight-passenger K1 Gondola. The Killington Hiking Center offers 14 self-guided trails for day hikers, and 20 different and distinct routes covering five of Killington's seven peaks. The Nature of Killington guidebook presents concise descriptions of Killington's various features, flora and fauna; cost is $3. Call 802-422-6200.

The Green Mountain Club (802-244-7037; http://www.greenmountainclub.org) publishes The Guidebook of the Long Trail and The Day Hiker's Guide to Vermont, as well as various trail maps. P.O. Box 889, Montpelier, VT.

Other spots to hike include Aiken State Forest, off Stratton Road from Route 4 in Mendon; Blue Ridge Mountain Trail, Mendon, 4.8 mile round-trip; Camp Plymouth State Park, Plymouth, Echo Lake Vista Trail, 1.5 miles, marked; Deer Leap, Killington, off Route 4 behind The Inn at the Long Trail, two-hour round-trip; Gifford Woods State Park, Sherburne; and Hawk Inn and Mountain Resort, Plymouth, which has 11 trails and map available.