Retreat Trails
Retreat Trails
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
61 reviews
Excellent
36
Very good
18
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5
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2
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0
K Pastore
Hinsdale, IL674 contributions
May 2021
We loved this morning hike with a variety of well marked paths to choose from. We followed Morningside and Ice Pond where we ended at the Ski Hill. We hiked up the stairs (what a workout) and followed the trail at the top down the back (better than going down the stairs) to get back to the bottom.
Written May 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CTTravelers_too
Connecticut223 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
We visited this system of trails in June and were very impressed. There are miles of trails just off Rt 30 split in to two sections. The Cedar Street area features The Tower, an immense stone structure that appears almost apparition like as you hike up the trail. There is no marked parking area on Cedar Street but we left our car across the street at the Harris Hill Ski Jump. There is a bridge across the stream and a somewhat harrowing road crossing to the trail head kiosk.
The farm side trails and Retreat Farm (with much better parking) is adjacent to the Grafton Cheese shop on RT 30 and features both the ice pond and the top of the Harris Hill Ski Jump as points of destination.
The walking is easy and the trails are fairly well groomed. The only reason I did not give this an excellent rating is the marking of the trails is sparse and there were no maps in either areas kiosks.
If you plan to go I would advise visiting the web site below, print yourself a map and that way you will have a much better idea where you are heading.
Trail Map:
http://www.brattlebororetreat.org/sites/default/files/tinymce/RetreatTrailsMap%20Updated.pdf
The farm side trails and Retreat Farm (with much better parking) is adjacent to the Grafton Cheese shop on RT 30 and features both the ice pond and the top of the Harris Hill Ski Jump as points of destination.
The walking is easy and the trails are fairly well groomed. The only reason I did not give this an excellent rating is the marking of the trails is sparse and there were no maps in either areas kiosks.
If you plan to go I would advise visiting the web site below, print yourself a map and that way you will have a much better idea where you are heading.
Trail Map:
http://www.brattlebororetreat.org/sites/default/files/tinymce/RetreatTrailsMap%20Updated.pdf
Written July 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelingteacher51
Pepperell, MA1,373 contributions
Sep 2019
#1 go to the ski jump and park. At the street go left about 300 feet and you will find the trail sign. We did not hike that trail so I can not tell you anything about the hike.
#2 we hiked. Find Rt 30 Linden Street find and go down Oak Street to the very end to Chase St. Go left. You will see a big yellow house. Park there. On the right of the house is a driveway that is for several houses. Walk down the public right of way about 300feet to the cemetary and trail head for Retreat Trails.
Enjoy looking at the Retreat cemetary but the grave markers are no longer readable. The trail is easy to follow to the tower. It only goes up. It took about 15 minutes. It is flat but uphill and easy to walk even for those out of shape. I used walking poles. There is not much of a view but the tower is fun to look at. Have fun. I hope this helped.
#2 we hiked. Find Rt 30 Linden Street find and go down Oak Street to the very end to Chase St. Go left. You will see a big yellow house. Park there. On the right of the house is a driveway that is for several houses. Walk down the public right of way about 300feet to the cemetary and trail head for Retreat Trails.
Enjoy looking at the Retreat cemetary but the grave markers are no longer readable. The trail is easy to follow to the tower. It only goes up. It took about 15 minutes. It is flat but uphill and easy to walk even for those out of shape. I used walking poles. There is not much of a view but the tower is fun to look at. Have fun. I hope this helped.
Written September 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aud E
Grafton, MA566 contributions
Oct 2019
We started at Retreat Farm, which was having a festival but their website said they had access to the 9 miles of trails, which we were unable to find. We ended up googling the trailheads and found one nearby. We were hoping for a non-strenuous walk, with the pups and none of the trail descriptions we could find gave a description of the walk. We ended up at a trail that was very much uphill/hike-like, we crossed fields that had seriously tall grasses and while there were posts randomly throughout - none of them identified where we were, there were no signs on them! This area would make an incredible Eagle Scout project for some Boy Scout and would be incredibly helpful for folks looking to traverse the trails. We took several wrong turns and and it wasn't an enjoyable experience, especially after we'd hiked uphill for quite a time and wanted a downhill trail to take us back.
Written October 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deed K
Pittsburgh, PA31 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
These are possibly the best trails that I have walked in this area. I've walked them throughout all seasons and they are equally spectacular. For photographers there is ample wildlife to photograph, and so many opportunities for photographing tree scenes. And for nature lovers you will enjoy the opportunity to see the local wildlife, including deer and the Bald Eagle.One thing more that I love about these trails is - you can make your walk as long or as short as you want to. Ideal for those lacking time, or unable to walk great distances. Trails are all marked too, so you won't get lost. Depending on where you start (I usually start at the Harris Ski Jump), you could finish at the Grafton Cheese Shop & Factory and sample their wonderful cheeses. And for the kids, they also have a small petting farm (for a small fee).
Written July 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
edmondite
edmond, oklahoma1,213 contributions
Oct 2019
We parked just past the trailhead sign by the Harris Hill Ski Jump and hiked the outer loop of the trail, then up to the Retreat tower! You can't see the tower until you are right upon it. We hiked back down to check out the cemetery as well. Neat place.
Written October 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Easternwahoo
16 contributions
Jul 2018
Take a picture of the trail map at the trail head so you don’t get lost. There are silly little signs at the beginning, but half way up you’re left with no signs at all. We ended up walking on the road to get back to our car. Other than that, it’s a nice little walk.
Written July 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MapleMark
Brooklyn, NY20 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
These are an excellent set of trails. Check out the Retreat Tower and ice house. You can get to the Harris Hill Ski jump using these trails.
Written November 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
giaabruzzi
Wethersfield, CT346 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
Retreat Trail is a very cool easy hike (we did it with younger children) with a well marked path system. There is a tower at the top dated 1887 and if you fallow the path past the old sanitorium you will find the graveyard for the original patients with stones dating back into the 1800. Nice way to spend a spring day.
Written April 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CharK1989
Dublin, OH50 contributions
Jul 2016
We loved walking the trails one afternoon. Some trails are pretty steep but most are easy to walk. Very peaceful and lovely!
Written July 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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