Trails and Waters
The Trails are open for you to enjoy seven days a week from dawn to dusk.
Retreat Trails
Explore the expansive 10-mile trail network.
Located on Abenaki lands, the trails are free and open to the public. Access the trail network from five different trailheads to explore the Nature Trail, Ice Pond, Woodlands Interpretive Trail, and Stone Tower. Challenge yourself by climbing the stairs to the top of the Harris Hill Ski Jump, or casually wander through the woods along the winding trails.
Nature Trail
Designed for families, this short 1/2 mile trail is easily accessible from the Piggery.
After visiting Isaac, walk the Nature Trail to visit animals in the Upper Pasture and make a pit-stop at the Forest Playground.
Woodlands Interpretive Trail
Created by local naturalist Lynn Levine, this moderate one-mile loop is a community favorite.
The trail features 18 placards that point out interesting natural aspects of the trail for visitors, such as a spot where lightning struck a tree and the site of granite which traveled there via a melting glacier from Dummerston.
The trail can be accessed at the Solar Hill trailhead and is comprised of the Lower and Upper Woodland trails.
You can also listen to the accompanying podcast to get the full experience during your one-mile trek.
Meadows
Wind through the Pollinator Pathway to the Meadows waterfront trail.
From the Retreat Farm Market parking lot, follow the arches and fruit trees to the Cow Tunnel. Continue through the tunnel on the boardwalk to stroll along the water’s edge at this stellar birding site and pollinator paradise.
Here you can also visit pastured animals and also check the beautiful progress of our growing production fields and community garden.
History Highlight
Located on Abenaki homelands, the trail network was created by the Brattleboro Retreat in the 1800s and has continued to serve as a free public resource for the community. In 2006 and 2007, the Windham Foundation and Brattleboro Retreat worked with the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) to revitalize the trails to make them more environmentally sound. In 2020, we installed new trail signs throughout the trail system to make them easier to follow. Today, we work in partnership with the Brattleboro Retreat to maintain the trails.