By Andrea Sachs
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, September 17, 2006

Q. Is there a North American equivalent to the European hike from town to town? I'd like to hike during the day and spend the evening in a small town.

Arthur Roach, Arlington

A. Europe's hiking trails are like nature's interstates, linking the great outdoors to pockets of civilization. North America doesn't have such a pervasive or unbroken network of routes, but in some regions, towns do pop up between mile markers. "Backpacking Europe is an experience culturally comparable to that of the American road trip," says Andrea Ketchmark, outreach coordinator of the Silver Spring-based American Hiking Society (301-565-6704, http://www.americanhiking.org/ ). "It is harder in the United States, because it is so far from place to place. "

However, if you're flexible and have a lot of stamina, here are some options:

· On the East Coast, Ketchmark recommends the Appalachian Trail section from North Adams, Mass., to Kent, Conn. The 140-mile stretch of the National Scenic Trail passes through such quintessentially New England towns as Great Barrington, Mass., rife with bed-and-breakfasts, shopping and Berkshires culture. Info: Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 304-535-6331, http://www.appalachiantrail.org/ . For more structure, Country Inns Along the Trail (800-838-3301, http://www.inntoinn.com/ ) has self-guided trips in Vermont, including an excursion along the Long Trail, with stays in eight inns. Cost: $1,155 per person double.

· Switching coasts to Northern California, start at Bolinas, then follow the San Andreas fault through Olema Valley (try the Olema Inn; 415-663-9559, http://www.theolemainn.com/ ) and onward to Point Reyes National Seashore.

· In the Colorado Rockies, trek along Forest Service roads from the old mining town of Leadville to high-end Aspen. The route takes about three nights, so plan on sleeping in the 10th Mountain Division Huts (970-925-5775, http://www.huts.org/ ), backcountry cabins connected by 350 miles of routes. The summer hiking season ends in September, in preparation for winter.

· Up north, the Trans Canada Trail will eventually go from the Atlantic to the Pacific and onto the Arctic Ocean, and will cross every Canadian province and territory in between. On the island of Newfoundland, for example, the route goes from St. John's to Port aux Basque, with about 40 small communities offering food and rest along the way. Info: 800-465-3636, http://www.tctrail.ca/ .

For other U.S. trails as well as state-specific hikes and maps, see American Trails (530-547-2060, http://www.americantrails.org/ ).

What are some good places in Sedona, Ariz., to see the red rocks and sunsets?

Marge Besachio, Springfield

With the Coconico National Forest surrounding the Arizona town, Sedona truly is Red Rock Country. For sweeping views framed by Technicolor sunsets, Jennifer Wesselhoff, vice president of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Tourism Bureau (800-288-7336, http://www.visitsedona.com/ ), recommends three standout spots.

At the Airport Road overlook, the 180-degree panorama of Sedona includes such landmarks as Thunder Mountain and Coxcombs. For a more intimate viewing station, try Schnebly Hill Road, an unpaved route that was the original thouroughfare to Flagstaff. And to take in Cathedral Rock, hike around Red Rock Crossing/Crescent Moon Ranch, a day-use area on U.S. Forest Service land, or Bell Rock Pathway, off Highway 179.

To have the red rock scenery outside your hotel room window, try the Enchantment Resort (800-826-4180, http://www.enchantmentresort.com/ ), Amara Creekside Resort (866-455-6610, http://www.amararesort.com/ ) or Sky Ranch Lodge (888-708-6400, http://www.skyranchlodge.com/ ).

Since we can't carry liquids aboard planes anymore, can we ship wine from France?

Cheryl Taylor, Woodbridge

With the airlines' ban of liquids, compounded by Byzantine international shipping rules, you have only a few options for bringing back wine from France. The easiest way is to ask the winery or liquor store to ship it for you; many of the larger vineyard-based shops or alcohol retailers offer such a service. If the company does not ship, you can't mail wine unless you're licensed to distribute alcohol.

According to U.S. Customs ( http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/ ), you are allowed to bring back up to a liter of alcohol, which you can carefully pack in your checked luggage. Go over that limit, though, and you'll be slapped with a heavy duty. Another option is to ask the winery who its importer/exporter is Stateside, then track down the wine closer to home.

Send queries by e-mail (travelqa@wash post.com) or U.S. mail (Travel Q&A, Washington Post Travel Section, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071). Please include your name and town.