Nature Trails at Montshire

Montshire's building is surrounded by 110 acres of woodland and nature trails along the Connecticut River. The trail system connects the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Katahdin, Maine, and to a local north-south Greenway trail that extends south of the Museum to Wilder, Vermont.

Montshire's trails are easy to walk for people of all ages and fitness levels. The trail system is also the setting for many outdoor activities, and offers an opportunity to encounter wildlife while still at the Museum. Fox kits, grouse, bear, moose and deer are but a few of the many animals that have been recently spotted. Whether reflecting upon nature at their own pace, or taking part in one of the Museum's lively outdoor programs, people of all ages enjoy adding an outdoor component to their Montshire visit.

Many new trails have been hardpacked to allow passage of strollers and wheelchairs.

The trail system includes:

Ridge Trail (1.1 mile round trip)

Take a walk on the wild side! You might as well be out on the Long Trail or one of Vermont's other famous woodland footpaths. There's one big difference--along the way you'll encounter elements of North Woods. These exhibits reveal aspects of geology, trees, seed dispersal, plant-animal interactions, insect life, decomposition, and historical land-use patterns.

Wildflower Trail (0.1 miles)

A short walk near the Museum building provides glimpses of woodland wildflowers in spring and mushrooms in the fall.

Forest Trail (0.2 miles)

This short Quinn Preserve Trail makes a loop through the woods. Walkers are led down a slope of yellowbud hickories and conifers to a footbridge. Just as the Forest Path rejoins the River Trail, visitors pass through a demonstration plot of native grasses and shrubs.

Overlook Loop (0.7 miles)

Journey along the Connecticut River, enjoy views from several lovely overlooks, and visit the "Migration Station."

River Trail (0.5 miles)

An easy to loop through Montshire's meadow leading to the Connecticut River. Along the way, stop and listen to recordings of birds and insects. Can you hear any of the creatures in the nearby meadow?

Blood Brook Trail (0.4 miles)

This trail provides a lot of variety in a short walk close to Science Park. Along the way is an exhibit on the history of stone walls and a deck overlooking Blood Brook's turbulent entrance into the lagoon. Here, you can learn a little more about the natural history of salmon.

Most trails pass through Science Park, a delightful two-acre outdoor hands-on exhibit area. In the Park, you'll see the Animal Signs Kiosk, where you can see and touch the tracks of many local animal species and view other animal signs including an owl pellet, a woodpecker nest, examples of unusual beaver "forestry," and the leftovers from a squirrel's dinner.

For more information about Montshire's trails contact Joan Waltermire.