Quechee & Tafstville Running Options

Quechee is a village in the town of Hartford, known for its scenic covered bridge across the Ottauquechee River, the forested Quechee Gorge, the Quechee Lakes planned community, and the old Quechee mill, which now houses the Simon Pearce glass-blowing facility and restaurant.  Here are some of the best places to run in Quechee:

Lake Pinneo Route. This route mainly uses roads around the Quechee Lakes planned community. There are quiet roads passing by condos,Lake Pinneo, a golf course, and a small ski hill. From Quechee Center, cross the covered bridge and run along Murphys Rd., do a small loop around Lakeland Rd., and continue on Murphy’s Rd. to the end at Rt. 4. This is a 4.2 mile out and back. MAP

• Hill Loop Option: Instead of out and back, cross Rt. 4 and take the quieter roads above Rt. 4, headed east: Chester Arthur Rd./Atkins Byway, Marsh Family Rd. This involves ~350 foot gain.

Hill Running. For some great hill practice on quiet roads, run the roads around the Quechee Lakes Ski Area. From Quechee Main St., there’s a nice 4-mile loop on mainly forested, paved roads: Wheelock Rd./Hayes Ln., Red Barn Rd. Note: Very hilly — 860 foot gain.  ROUTE MAP  Scenic Extension: At Red Barn Rd., continue along scenic Old Town Farm Rd. for 1 mile each way.  Trail runners can also run the steep ski hill trails, in season.

Taftsville Route. Just west of Quechee is the historic town of Taftsville, a historic 19th-century industrial village known for its covered bridge. There’s nice running along Old River Rd. — a dirt road along the north side of the Ottauquechee River that’s a quiet alternative to the busy Rt. 4. Head west toward Woodstock. It’s 3 miles one-way to Woodstock (Old River Rd. turns into Town Hwy 53 and is away from the river). Rolling hills! ROUTE MAP

• Loop Option: For a hilly loop option, instead of running all the way to Woodstock, run on Old River Rd. for 1.4 miles to where it turns into Town Hwy 53 and turn RIGHT on High Pastures Rd. Run for 1.4 miles, and then RIGHT on Hillside Rd. back into Taftsville. 4.7 mile loop, 385 foot gain. ROUTE MAP
• Option from Quechee: It’s 4.2 miles from Quechee to Tafstville along Quechee Main St. This road isn’t too busy, as most cars use Rt. 4 on the south side of the river. However, there’s no shoulder, so use caution.