May 14th, 2010 @ Tim Brady // No Comments
Last year the Brattleboro Retreat completed updates on a series of trails that climb throughout their expansive property. The trails date back to the 1800′s when many of them were created for the use of the patients and staff of the “Vermont Asylum”, which continues to operate today as the Brattleboro Retreat. As a matter of fact, the Brattleboro Retreat is celebrating it’s 175th anniversary this year. Many of the trails today still use the names they were given 175 years ago – including the pictured “last step”. Lucky for us, our home was once part of the Brattleboro Retreat and these trails connect to those that are located right in our backyard.
The trail system is open year round and is more than 9 miles long. The Retreat Trails cover over 400 acres of forest and agricultural land and include some interesting sites, like the Harris Hill Ski Jump, Grafton Cheese Country Store, the old Cemetery and the Retreat Tower.
There is a nice map of the trail system available at several information kiosks along the system, the map is also online here and we have printed copies of the map at the Inn for you as well.
The trails range from flat and easy, to somewhat steep and rocky. None are really more than “moderate” in difficulty and most can be trekked year round. We have taken some great winter hikes in the snow up these trails, sliding down the steeper parts in our snow pants.
For those staying with us at our Brattleboro B&B, you can access the trails from our back yard (these trails connect to the shorter Hogle Wildlife Sanctuary Trail). For others, there are 5 public access points to the trail system – outlined here.
