Question 1

Can I send a resupply package to your hostel?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you may send a resupply box to us, just be aware we are only open from April 1st – June 30th each year. Mail drops are free for everyone, overnight guest or not. But be warned, 95% of the time hikers picking up packages end up staying overnight. Please address your package as follows:
First Name “Trail Name” Last Name
c/o Quarter Way Inn
4083 Old Rich Valley Rd
Ceres, VA 24318 A note about resupply boxes: On my thru-hike in 2009 I went to a wholesale store at home, bought vast quantities of food, and prepped about 20 boxes. I’d call home and tell Brett where to send the next box and what pages of the guidebook to include. This worked well to resupply my contacts, contact solution, and for the guidebook pages (FarOut was a distant dream), but we got sooooo sick of the food we had packed halfway through the hike! Luckily, we were hiking with a guy whose moms would send him gourmet homemade goodies on a similar schedule, so we were able to swap our junk food and trail mix for his fruit leather and vegetarian chili. We also got in a bit of trouble with Post Offices being closed (Ugh, Columbus Day!) when we needed them to be open. So, my advice is to shop on-trail for food. I know a lot of people have special diets or medical needs and must rely on resupply boxes, or just like the security of knowing there is a box waiting for them, so I recommend shipping boxes to hostels rather than post offices, as they are open 24/7.

Question 2

Can I make a reservation in advance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make a reservation by calling 276-522-4603 (do not text – it’s a landline) or emailing tina@quarterwayinn.com. We are rarely able to answer the phone, so leave a voicemail with your reservation details and we will call you back to confirm. We recommend that you do not make a reservation more than a week in advance because the nature of thru-hiking leads to unpredictable schedules. Please, please, please – If you are not going to keep your reservation, call us so we can free up your spot for someone else. All reservations that are not checked in (or heard from) by 7pm will be released.

Question 3

Do you accept credit cards?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We take cash and all major credit cards.

Question 4

Do you have fuel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have fuel canisters, white gas, and denatured alcohol available.

Question 5

Can I take a shower and do my laundry if I'm not staying overnight?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Showers are $5 and include hot water, towel, wash cloth, soap, shampoo, conditioner. Laundry is $5 and is done for you. Depending on when you arrive there may be a bit of a wait. We provide loaner clothes while you wait (and a great VHS collection, too!).

Question 6

What time is breakfast?

Accepted Answer

Breakfast is served at 7am. Coffee is on at 6am. You must be signed up for breakfast by 7pm the night before.

Question 7

Can I come just for breakfast?

Accepted Answer

No. Breakfast is for overnight guests only. Our breakfast is a big production and quantities are made according to the number of people staying. Also, per our health department permit, we can only serve overnight guests.

Question 8

I have a special diet. Can you accommodate me for breakfast?

Accepted Answer

Usually, but not always depending on your specific diet. Breakfast is served family style and making special dishes is not always possible. I often do a “pay what you think it’s worth” deal for folks who don’t eat all of the offerings. Vegetarians are easy to accommodate, but it’s a bit harder with Vegans.

Question 9

What time is check-in? What time is check-out?

Accepted Answer

We’re pretty flexible around here – just come as early as you want (though you may have to wait for cleaning to be completed before moving in or put up with vacuum noise while you watch a movie). If you are going to arrive after 7pm, please give us a call to let us know you are coming and sign up for breakfast. Late arrivals may have to wait until morning for their laundry to be done, but we have plenty of loaner clothes for you to wear in the meantime.

Question 10

Can I park my car at the Quarter Way Inn?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you may park your car here for a limited time, even in the off season. Anything up to a week is fine, but if longer than that give us a call to discuss your plans. For short-term parking, just send me an email to let me know your schedule and your car, and park to the left (west) of the house up against the fence (not in front of the gate). No guarantees we will be around 24/7. Alternatively, there is also a public trailhead parking lot a couple miles north of us at VA42 at the O’Lystery Pavilion. There is also a small pull off right next to the Appalachian Trail on VA 610/Old Rich Valley Rd on the south side of the road to the west of the trail.

Question 11

Can I bring my dog?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we do not allow dogs on the property as a condition of our insurance policy. As a dog lover myself, I know this is a stupid rule, but my hands are tied. Of course, we welcome legitimate service dogs that have been specifically trained to perform a duty or task and are required due to a hiker’s disability.

Question 12

Do you have Wi-Fi?

Accepted Answer

Nope. #ruralproblems But, we do have a landline for you to use and folks with Verizon can usually get a signal from the top of our hill. We have a real 1990’s vibe here with the trail’s finest VHS collection, tons of board games, lots of puzzles, a few coloring books, rocking chairs, hammock chairs, two guitars, a ukulele, and a lot of just talking to each other! We’ve only had two guests storm off in search of Wi-Fi, but otherwise people generally think it’s refreshing to not have the pressure to update their online presence.

Question 13

Is there a kitchen?

Accepted Answer

Our hiker kitchen includes a toaster oven, microwave, hot water kettle, and refrigerator. We offer frozen pizzas and high-protein vegetarian meals, soda, V-8, ice cream, Gatorade, chocolate milk, and a full resupply shop.

Quarter Way Inn

A seasonal Appalachian Trail hiker hostel in beautiful Southwest Virginia

Home of the Bead by Bead on the Appalachian Trail Necklace

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