Hiking Trails
Explore the property, step directly onto public trails, or plan your nearby excursion
Windmill Ridge and Putney Mountain Trails
The Windmill Ridge runs through Rockingham, Athens, Westminster, Brookline, Putney and Dummerston (N to S). The ridge is about 16 miles long and rises to about 1,683 feet at the Pinnacle and 1,647 on the Putney Mountain Outlook. The eastern slope is the source of East Putney Brook and Sacketts Brook and the western slope the source of Bull Creek and Grassy Brook (the brook across the street on the WBF property) – all of which eventually flow into the Connecticut River. If you are standing behind the farmhouse and look north and to your right (east) you’ll see a portion of the Windmill Hill ridgeline. If you are standing in front of the farmhouse and look south and to your left (east) you are looking at the ridgeline to Putney Mountain. The trails are well maintained by the Windmill Hill Association and Putney Mountain Association and are marked with blazes. There is great information about the landscape and wildlife on the trail signs along the way.
Fun Facts:
Windmill Mountain itself is named for the windmill which once stood as part of the settlement near the present Five Corners.
The summit of Putney Mountain is famous for its annual Fall Hawk Watch, a chance to see migrating raptors in the thousands following ridgeline winds and thermals.
The ridge offers an important north-south wildlife-movement corridor for medium-sized and large mammals, including deer, bobcat, red and grey fox, fisher, coyote, and possibly moose and/or bear.
White Barn Farm to the Pinnacle via Windmill Hill Trail to Ridgeline Trail to the Pinnacle. 7.2 miles round trip, 3 ½ - 4 hours. (If you want to eliminate a little over an hour you can turn around at the Sunapee/Monadnock Overlook)
Get Started: The trail can be accessed by walking behind the barn to the upper field toward the first tent platform, proceed across the small stream (beginning of white and blue trails) then instead of bearing right to follow the WBF trails, bear left over the stream and follow the path until it intersects the public trail – the Windmill Hill Trail, blue blazes.
Trail notes: The first part of the hike (about .6 miles) is moderate/difficult because of the climb (don’t give up!), rest of hike moderate/easy. Windmill Hill Trail (blue blazes) is 1.2 miles to “5 corners”, then follow the Ridgeline Trail (white blazes) to left – 1.2 miles to Sunapee/Monadnock Overlook, then another 1.2 miles to the Pinnacle (summit and cabin). Great views, lots of different topography, deciduous forest on the northwesterly slope and a savanna as you approach the summit!
Great trail to hike and snowshoe!
White Barn Farm to Putney Mountain via Windmill Hill Trail to West Cliff Trail to Putney Mountain. 6.6 miles round trip, 3 ½ - 4 hours.
Get Started: The trail can be accessed by walking behind the barn to the upper field toward the first tent platform, proceed across the small stream (beginning of white and blue trails) then instead of bearing right to follow the WBF trails, bear left over the stream and follow the path until it intersects the public trail – the Windmill Hill Trail, blue blazes.
Trail notes: The first part of the hike (about .6 miles) is moderate/difficult because of the climb (don’t give up!), rest of hike moderate with a few additional, short steep climbs as you approach Putney Mountain. Windmill Hill Trail (blue blazes) is 1.2 miles to “5 corners”, then follow the West Cliff Trail (yellow blazes) to right – 2.1 miles to Putney Mountain. Great views are at the end of this hike, you are hiking along the side of the mountain with steep drops at times. Fascinating topography, trees and rock formations.
Optional: If you don’t want to return by the same trail you can follow the Ridgeline Trail back to 5 corners. Note you will be traveling on Banning Road for about a mile, this way is about .1 miles longer but can be faster because of the ease of walking on the paved road.
Great trail to hike!
Hinsdale/Old Chesterfield, NH
There are several great trails just over the Connecticut River from Brattleboro that offer beautiful views of the green hills and valleys of Vermont! (about 30-50 minute drive depending on which trail head you choose). Here are a few favorites:
Ann Stokes Loop/Madame Sherri Forest/Daniels Mountain – Just over the bridge from Brattleboro (Rt 9) is a fun little 2.3 mile “loop” hike (easy to moderate). There is a great story behind the ruins of Madame Sherri’s Castle (and a book at the White Barn Farm on the history if you are interested – just ask!) See trail maps for more information. (approx. 30 minutes to trailhead from the WBF)
Mount Pisgah – Heading slightly further down Rt 9 you’ll find the turnoff to Pisgah State Park, where the trailhead for a 5.2 mile “loop” hike through Hinsdale Town Forest is located. This moderate hike has several vistas, and elevation gain is a mere 633 ft. See trail map for more information. (approx. 42 minutes to trailhead from the WBF)
