Discover Windham County

Hamilton Falls is in Jamaica, in Windham County, where Cobb Brook plunges 125 feet down a mountainside. The Hamilton Falls Trail provides access to the top and bottom of the falls and connects to the West River Trail in Jamaica State Park. The West River Trail offers two miles for walking and cycling; camping is also available in the park. This brings together a waterfall, two connected trails and the opportunity to camp in one named location.

Lakes, Forests and Special Habitats

Lowell Lake State Park is a day-use area. Its 3.5-mile trail loops around Lowell Lake; the park also includes significant state-recognized wetlands. For comparison, the West River Trail offers two miles for walking and cycling. The two trails therefore differ both in length and in their described routes: one loops around a lake, while the other is associated with walking and cycling.

Nature and outdoor activities in different seasons are also a focus at Townshend State Forest. The Bald Mountain Hiking Trail climbs from 472 to 1,680 feet. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular winter activities there. The forest also includes approximately 550 acres of deer wintering habitat. Alongside its recreational opportunities, these details highlight an aspect of the forest that is important to wildlife.

Fee-free Dutton Pines State Park is a day-use area with public parking and trails. Near State Route 5, the park features several historic structures dating from the Civilian Conservation Corps era. A rare forest community of Weymouth pine, red oak and black oak also gives the area a distinctive botanical character. Visitors interested in landscapes and history will find two different points of interest in the same named park.

Other nature experiences take a variety of forms: the Meadows Waterfront Trail runs along the shore of an important bird-watching and pollinator habitat. The grounds of the Nature Museum include restored wetland and meadow trails, as well as the Magic Forest Playscape. Each year, on the last weekend in September, the museum also hosts an outdoor fairy-house-building festival.

Mountain Trails and Bike Routes

The Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail share a section of their route on Stratton Mountain. A 0.75-mile trail leads from the Stratton gondola station to the Stratton Fire Tower. From there, views extend across four states and mountain ranges. The short stated trail length and the expansive views make a striking contrast, though no walking time can be inferred from this information.

Cyclists can also choose from routes with different profiles. Stratton Bike Park has more than 10 miles of downhill terrain and 20 downhill trails. At Mount Snow Bike Park, the range spans from green beginner runs to extreme double-black trails. Mount Snow also has four distinct mountain areas: Main Face, North Face, Sunbrook and Carinthia. In summer, Mount Snow offers scenic chairlift rides to the summit, with views of Somerset Reservoir and the valley.

Art, Music and Getting Around

In Brattleboro, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center presents 15 to 20 exhibitions each year. It is located in the historic Union Station. Brattleboro's Gallery Walk takes place on the first Friday of each month. A historic church in Brattleboro offers live music year-round. Yellow Barn remains active in Putney. Cultural itineraries can therefore include exhibitions, a recurring Gallery Walk and live music, as well as the Yellow Barn music center.

You can also plan your arrival with a specific location in mind: the Brattleboro Transportation Center is just a short walk from the train station. When choosing a hotel, you can first consider which places and interests you want to shape your stay. Art and music offer a different focus from trails by the water, forests or mountain routes. Use the locations mentioned as a guide for your plans, and check event dates to find one that suits your trip.

Discover more destinations: Dummerston, Halifax, Brattleboro, Newfane, West Dover, Rockingham, Wardsboro, Putney, Whitingham, Stratton.

For the overview of the wider region: Vermont.