Sweet Pond State Park - Easy - 1 hour.
This walk around quiet Sweet Pond offers scenery and wildlife, suitable for
young children. Take Rt. 5 to the Guilford Country Store, turn West on Guilford Center Rd., bear left after village onto Sweet Pond Rd. Continue 2.5 miles, park is
on the left.
Mt. Wantastiquet - Moderate - 1.5 hours.
This switchback Jeep trail to summit offers beautiful views of Brattleboro and surrounding area. Take Rt. 119 toward Hinsdale, N.H. Immediately after the
second bridge over the Connecticut River turn left to parking area on your
right.
Molly Stark State Park - Moderate - 1.5 hours.
Climb to the fire tower on Mt. Olga for a striking 100-mile view. Take Rt. 9
west to Marlboro. Park entrance is on the left 1 mile from Hogback Resort. Stop
at ranger station for directions, day fee $1.50 adults, $1.00 children four and
over.
The Appalachian Trail - Varied.
The closest trail access is located on the Stratton-Arlington Rd. off Rt. 100.
Take Rt. 30 to E. Jamaica and left on Rt. 100 approx. 7 miles to Stratton Rd. on right. Continue 4 miles to trailhead.
Mt. Monadnock - Challenging day hike.
Spectacular above-treeline hiking. Take Rt. 9 to Keene, N.H. and continue on
Rt. 101 to Marlboro, N.H., then right on Rt. 124 to Jaffrey. Monadnock State Park is on the left. Fee $2.50, 11 and under free.
Equipment
resource:
Wildwater Outfitters -
(802) 254-4133
Galanes Sport Shop - (802) 254-5677
Burrows Sport Shop - (802) 254-9430
Sam's Dept. Store - (802) 254-2933
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Rt. 30 - Easy, 20 miles.
Rt. 30 along the West River offers valley scenery and level terrain. Take Main St. north then bear left on Rt. 30. After you pass the Brattleboro Retreat on the right
there is a place to park. Turn at Depot Rd. & return (see loop option
below).
Rt. 5 - Moderate, 20-25 miles.
Take Rt. 5 north along moderate hills to Putney to view beautiful farms and
mountains. Return the same way or turn right on School Rd. in Dummerston. This
steep climb will bring you back through the longest single span covered bridge
in Vermont and onto Rt. 30 back to Brattleboro.
Rt. 119 - Difficult, 25 miles.
Take Rt. 119 to Hinsdale, N.H., turn left onto Rt. 63 in Hinsdale village for a
sturdy climb and spectacular views. Continue on Rt. 63, bear left at Rt. 9 and
left on Rt. 5 to bring you back to Brattleboro.
Tri-State Loop - Moderate, 35 miles.
A scenic, rolling ride through the Connecticut River Valley. Go south on Rt.
142 from the Brattleboro Museum (warning: walk bikes over RR tracks at 1.5 mi.
point) until the intersection with Rt. 10 in Bernardston, Mass. Turn left and
follow Rt. 10/63 1 mile and bear left on Rt. 63 to the town of Hinsdale, N.H.
then left onto Rt. 119 back to Brattleboro. Note: for a shorter loop turn right
on Pond Rd. in Vernon then left again retracing 142 back to Brattleboro. The
Vernon Dam and fish ladder are off Gov. Hunt Rd.
Equipment
resource:
Specialized Sports - (802)
257-1017
West Hill Shop - (802) 387-5718
Brattleboro Bike Shop - (802) 254-8644
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There are miles of dirt roads, logging trails and old town roads to be explored. The best source of information would be a topographical map of the area available at any of the local book or sporting goods stores. Our favorites include:
Ames Hill - Steep, 10 miles.
From Rt. 9 west park in front of the West Brattleboro fire station. Continue
west and turn left on Greenleaf St. at Christy's Store. Bear right onto Abbott Road and continue to the intersection of Ames Hill. Continue up hill and turn left to
a beautiful distant view from Moore's Apple Orchard. Turn left at the next road
and bear left again just before the house. The road turns into a trail that
will connect to Melchen Road then bear left on the pavement back to West Brattleboro.
Green River -
Varied.
From Rt. 9 west turn left onto Greenleaf St. at Christy's Store. Follow the
paved road 5.5 miles until the pavement ends and turn left to the Green River covered bridge and waterfall. Park to the left at the far side of the bridge.
Explore the dirt roads of the region or make a 14-mile loop by exiting the
bridge to the left. Bear left at the first junction following the Green River and left again across the bridge at the three-mile point. A stiff climb will
bring you into the Deer Park wilderness area of Halifax. Another left turn will
bring you into quaint Halifax village. Turn left on stage road and left again
back to Green River.
Asylum Pond - Varied.
From Rt. 30 take the first left on Cedar St. Park along the road at the base of
the ski jump. This dirt road extends to the right of the jump and accesses a
variety of trails to explore along the ridge above Brattleboro.
Mt. Snow and Stratton Resorts have mountain bike centers with large trail systems and bike rentals.
Equipment
resource:
Specialized Sports - (802)
257-1017
West Hill Shop - (802) 387-5718
Brattleboro Bike Shop - (802) 254-8644
Mt. Snow - (802) 464-3333
Stratton - (802) 297-2200
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Over 20 miles of canoeing offers a peaceful afternoon or the excitement of new experiences discovering waterway haunts and swimming holes along the Connecticut and West Rivers. The Connecticut River is wide and meandering. The West River offers the lazy "meadows" mixing large expanses of water and islands. Bird watching and fishing are popular. Individual rentals or groups tours available.
Equipment
resource:
Connecticut River Safari Rentals - (802) 257-5008
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West River Lodge
Hill Road, Brookline, (802) 365-7745.
English trail rides, lessons, stopovers w/stables by appointment.
Stratton Mountain Resort
off Rt. 30, Bondville, (802) 297-2200.
Guided 40-60 minute group trail rides or extended rides by hour daily except
Tuesday. Reservations suggested.
Jack's Horse Farm
Westminster West Road,
Putney, (802) 387-2782.
Trail rides, pony rides, hay rides, lessons.
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Fort
Dummer, Brattleboro, VT - (802) 254-2610
Molly Stark, VT - (802) 464-5460
Townshend State Park, VT - (802) 365-7500.
Equipment
resource:
Wildwater Outfitters -
(802) 254-4133
Sam's Dept. Store - (802) 254-2933
Wal-Mart - (603) 256-6723.
Hinsdale Road, Rte 63, Northfield, NH (603) 239-4054
for a map showing local ponds and rivers
for Vermont Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Dates
In
Brattleboro you may purchase a fishing license at the following:
Archery & Outdoor Outfitters (802) 254-2936
Fireside True Value (802) 254-4927
Sam's Dept. Store (802) 254-2933
Ed's Archery Shop (802) 257-7240
In
Guilford you may purchase a fishing license at the following:
The Guilford Town Clerk (802) 254-6857
Guilford Country Store (802) 257-1973
Green Mountain National Forest - Fishing Guidlines and Areas
Matthew Dickerson's Fly-Fishing Vermont
Fishing Vermont Mountain Trout in the White River in Central Vermont
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