One of the unique stops along the Retreat Trails is the Retreat Tower. This tower was built by the patients of the Vermont Asylum (now the Brattleboro Retreat) in 1887. At the time, doctors believed that hard, meaningful labor could help mental patients regain their stability. So a group of patients was put to work building this large stone tower, as a scenic overlook of the Asylum grounds.
While I’m sure that the doctors had the best of intentions, some patients chose to use the tower in a different manner. In the years following its construction, according to the book “Weird New England” a fair number of patients climbed to the top of the tower and hurled themselves off of it onto the rocky cliff below. While the number of suicides at this site is a closely guarded secret, the tower was sealed off and remains so today.
For those looking for the haunted side of Brattleboro, ghost hunters report sightings of an airborne human-like form at the top of the tower that appears briefly and then disappears into space.
You can find the tower off of the “Tower Climb” trail on the Retreat Trail system. It’s a fairly easy 10 – 15 minute walk from our Inn. The tower is visible from the Retreat Meadows and a lot of the north side of Brattleboro as well – particularly in the winter and fall as the trees clear.
The tower opens to the public typically just one or two times per year. The dates are not consistent, but you can certainly keep an eye on our twitter feed to know when it opens – as we will definitely be there.
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.
Mount Monadnock, in New Hampshire, offers some great half day hikes to an amazing bare rock summit with 100 mile views to points in all six New England States. Mount Monadnock, located in the Monadnock State Park, is said to be the second most frequently climbed mountain in the world, after Japan’s Mt. Fuji.
While there are a variety of approaches to the summit, we have found our personal favorite to be the White Arrow Trail. Hiking the White Arrow Trail takes about two hours from the parking area up to the summit and about an hour and fifteen minutes down. We would say that this hike is moderately difficult, the park states that there is an average 27% grade. There are some sections that are steep and rocky. We would not suggest hiking this trail in the wet weather as there are sections that become streams in the rain. On an average day most of the trail is dry and clear, with about 3/4 of the hike in the wooded section and about 1/4 above the treeline.
To reach the start of the White Arrow approach, park in the lot off the Old Toll Road – on NH Route 124. After paying your $4 park admission (can you believe that they maintain these parks for $4?) head up the old toll road trail. This trail will take you to the intersection of the White Arrow Trail, which is located at the Old Halfway House. Don’t worry – all of the trails are well marked and your $4 includes a map of the mountain.
The trail makes several turns, with a variety of other trail options splitting off here and there. White Arrow is the most direct route to the summit however.
For most of the hike you will find yourself under a tree canopy (bring bug spray). But after about an hour you will be able to see the summit. While it looks very close, this is where the hiking gets somewhat more challenging, incorporating some large stretches of relatively smooth rock face. Take your time, be sure to look around and chose the best path up the rocks, sometimes the easiest path is not the most obvious. This is also a great time to take a gander at the forest below – there are several great points to take a break on the rocks and enjoy the amazing views and cool breezes.
The view at the top is amazing – although it is likely to be “crowded”. There are several approaches to the summit and so regardless of how busy your trail was (White Arrow tends to be moderately busy – especially on weekends) the summit is guaranteed to be bustling with other hikers.
On the descent – which is markedly easier – you still must be careful of your footing and ease your way down the same rock surfaces carefully.
Mount Monadnock is in Monadnock State Park in New Hampshire. The White Arrow Trail (Old Toll Road) starts about 30 miles from our Vermont Inn. Travel Route 9 into Hampshire – to 101 to 124 to a town called Jaffrey. Its a scenic drive that will take about 40 minutes.
The Park is open 7 days and hiking is popular year round. Off season hikers should check in at the base (located off of Dublin Road – a bit further down 124).
There is a great (and funny) list of Monadnock FAQ’s on the GCC site that should be able to help with any other questions.
Hiking Mount Monadnock is certain to be an experience you remember. There is a reason that it is one of the most hiked mountains in the world and if you are in the Brattleboro area, why not explore it for yourself. Of course, we hope that you will stay with us at our beautiful Vermont Inn which makes a great base camp for this and many other activities in New England. To read about some of our other favorites, be sure to subscribe to our blog!
Mt. Wantastiquet in Hinsdale, NH is just a short walk from downtown Brattleboro, VT and is one of our favorite simple hikes. It’s easily walkable from our Vermont B&B, and offers 3 great choices for hiking.
Start by walking downtown and crossing the steel bridge into New Hampshire. Make the first left and follow that dirt road to the end. You’ll see a small parking area, where you can head off in several directions.
When we want to take a leisurely stroll with the dog we head to the left and take the nearly flat walk along the Connecticut River.
When we are looking to build some endurance we will head up the hill to the right, and take the winding switchback style jeep trail to the top of the mountain. This trail is pretty gradual, but a steady climb. We would label it as a moderate hike, and it takes about three hours from our front door to the top and back.
Finally, if we are short on time, we will take the short cut straight up the mountain which is much steeper, but shorter. We would label that path moderately difficult, this trail only take about two hours from our door step and back.
Both the switchback and the short cut will take you to a clearing at the top where you will see panoramic views of Brattleboro and the river valley. Even on a hazy day you can see our slate roof peaking out over the trees and our huge Japanese Maple with its bright red leaves, in the back yard.
If you are really looking for a longer adventure, venture over the top of the mountain and hike the backside down all the way to the old “Castle” (see our haunted hike). Be warned though, that is a long trek.
When you come off of the mountain, you walk back to the Inn through downtown, where you can stop to enjoy a well deserved lunch. This certainly makes Mount Wantastiquet a great local hike and one of the many reasons we love living in Brattleboro.
For more great Brattleboro area activities, be sure to keep an eye on our blog at InnBrattleboro.com!
Looking for a reason (or excuse!) to get outside this weekend? Check out Vermont Days, June 13 & 14, 2009.
Vermont Days offer free admission to all State Parks, Forests, and State owned Historic Sites. This means you can take advantage of some free hiking (not that we mind the normal $4 or so, which just goes to supporting the parks). In the southern Vermont area, I would highly recommend Molly Stark State Park, which is just minutes from our B&B, Fortry Putney Road.
Molly Stark has several trails to chose from, most are fairly gentle and a few lead to a fire tower you can climb and take advantage of beautiful Vermont views. Molly Stark is also a great place to have a picnic.
Vermont Days also offer free fishing, with no license required, on Saturday and in addition, all of the State Historic Sites and Museums will be free. So why not take this as the perfect excuse to go ahead and check out something new around Vermont.
The Chesterfield Gorge in Chesterfield, New Hampshire is the perfect location to take an easy hike with beautiful views. This stroll through the woods along the Chesterfield Gorge is serene. Surrounded by the beauty of nature and the sound of rolling water this is a relaxing way to spend an hour. This is one of mine and Tim’s favorite spots to have a picnic. We usually start at the Vermont Country Deli to get some sandwiches and snacks to pack in our picnic basket. The other option instead of running around to get lunch, take advantage of the Take a Hike Packagewhich includes a picnic backpack (that you get to keep) filled with lunch and a bottle of wine or beer. Enjoy the Chesterfield Gorge, I know we did!
One of the unique stops along the Retreat Trails is the Retreat Tower. This tower was built by the patients of the Vermont Asylum (now the Brattleboro Retreat) in 1887. At the time, doctors believed that hard, meaningful labor could help mental patients regain their stability. So a group of patients was put to work building this large stone tower, as a scenic overlook of the Asylum grounds.
The 
