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Hiking:
Sweet Pond State Park - Easy - 1 hour
This walk around quiet Sweet Pond offers scenery and wildlife, suitable for
young children. Take Route 5 south to the Guilford Country Store, turn
right on Guilford Center Road, bear left after village onto Sweet Pond
Road. 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 Route 119 towards Hinsdale, New
Hampshire. 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 Route 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 Road off
Route 100. Take Route 30 to E. Jamaica and left on Route 100
approximately 7 miles to Stratton Road on right. Continue 4 miles to
trailhead.
Mt. Monadnock - Challenging day hike
Spectacular above-treeline hiking. Take Route 9 to Keene, New Hampshire
and continue on Route 101 to Marlboro, New Hampshire, then right on Route
124 to Jaffrey. Monadnock State Park is on the left. Fee
$2.50, 11 and under free.
Equipment Resources:
Wildwater Outfitters - 254-4133
Galanes Sport Shop - 254-5677
Burrows Sport Shop - 254-9430
Sam's Department Store - 254-2933
Bicycling:
Route 30 - Easy, 20 miles
Route 30 along the West River offers valley scenery and level
terrain. Take Main Street north, then bear left on Route 30.
After you pass the Brattleboro Retreat on the right there is a place to
park. Turn at Depot Road and return (see loop option below).
Route 5 - Moderate, 20-25 miles
Take Route 5 north along moderate hills to Putney to view beautiful farms
and mountains. Return the same way or turn right on School Road in
Dummerston. This steep climb will bring you back through the
longest single span covered bridge in Vermont and onto Route 30 (left)
back to Brattleboro.
Route 119 - Difficult, 25 miles
Take Route 119 to Hinsdale, New Hampshire, turn left onto Route 63 in
Hinsdale village for a sturdy climb and spectacular views. Continue
on Route 63, bear left at Route 9 and left on Route 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 Route 142 from the Brattleboro Museum (warning: walk bikes over
RR tracks at 1.5 mile point) until the intersection with Route 10 in Bernardston,
MA. Turn left and follow Route 10/63 1 mile and bear left on Route
63 to the town of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, then left onto Route 119 back
to Brattleboro. Note: for a shorter loop turn right on Pond
Road in Vernon then left again retracing 142 back to Brattleboro.
The Vernon Dam and fish ladder are off Gov. Hunt Road.
Equipment Resources:
Specialized Sports - 257-1017
West Hill Shop - 387-5718
Brattleboro Bike Shop - 254-8644
Mountain Biking:
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.
Ames Hill - steep, 10 miles
From Route 9 west park adjacent to the West Brattleboro fire
station. Continue west and turn left on Greenleaf Street 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 Route 9 west turn left onto Greenleaf Street 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 Route 30 take the first left on Cedar Street 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 Resources:
Specialized Sports - 257-1017
West Hill Shop - 387-5718
Brattleboro Bike Shop - 254-8644
Mt. Snow - 464-3333
Stratton - 297-2200
Canoeing:
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.
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