The West River Trail is a beautiful place to be on a winter’s day.
February on the Trail
walking
Trail Benches
In 2021, we built and installed three more benches and two additional picnic tables along the trail. These amenities are making it easier for the trail to be enjoyed by all.
Pictured above, trail users enjoying the new benches along the trail.
If you enjoy using the trail, please consider including The West River Trail in your year-end giving plan. Click through to learn more about making a donation.
West River Trail Featured on VPR
The reports from earlier this year are in, and all across the state, the number of people using Vermont’s hiking trails was way up.
Whether it was the Long Trail, Vermont’s State Parks, or developed trails in our towns and cities, people flocked to the outdoors during the early months of the pandemic.
Listen to the full story at VPR online.
“There’s a certain peace that I feel walking along this river. Nothing like walking near water, or being near water that soothes the soul, so to speak. It’s consoling during this time of great anxiety and isolation.” – Robert Peeples, Brattleboro resident
Trail Use Increases
The Windham Regional Commission does routine counts of the use of the West River Trail. Counts from this past April and September show an increase in trail use since COVID-19 for both walkers and bicyclists. Great to see that so many of us are able to utilize the West River Trail during this challenging time.
A big thanks to Jeff Nugent for his work on tracking trail use and for creating and sharing this graph. For more information on the work of the WRC, please visit their website at windhamregional.com. Click on the image above for the full 2 page report.
Keep yourself and others safe on the West River Trail by following posted COVID-19 safety protocols.
Please share this area safely and responsibly.
Use the trail only if you feel well and have not been exposed to someone who has COVID-19.
Practice social distancing – maintain at least 6 feet between yourself and those not in your family.
Wear a mask. Save N95 masks for healthcare professionals; use a homemade cloth mask, purchased mask, or bandana.
Avoid shared surfaces such as benches, picnic tables, railings.
Consider less traveled trails if the trail or parking lot appears crowded.
If you use the trail regularly, and are in a position to support the trail, please consider making a donation to help maintain the trail. The Friends of the West River Trail is a registered 501 (3) (c) organization. Click HERE TO DONATE.
Enjoy the trail and be well and stay safe!
Late Autumn on the West River Trail
Ironwood Tree 
Polypody Ferns 
Tree growing on a rock cliff 
Late afternoon light and ice on the West River
The West River Trail is a trail for all seasons. In late autumn, with the leaves down, there is so much beauty to see along the trail.
With thanks to Lynn Levine for the photos.
The 7th Annual West River Trail Run
Join The Collaborative Saturday, June 1, 2019 for a beautiful run from South Londonderry, Vt. to Jamaica State Park. The route is 11 miles of fun and exciting terrain along the West River. We encourage all outdoor enthusiasts to participate individually or as a three-person relay team. There is also a 5K Fun Run with discounted registration for youth participants. All proceeds go to The Collaborative, a nonprofit providing healthy choices and activities for youth in the southern Vermont communities. For more information, call the office at 802-824-4200. For more information go to http://www.thecollaborative.us/westrivertrailrun.
6th Annual West River Trail Run
The West River Trail Run is an annual run and FUNdraiser to benefit The Collaborative’s long-standing programs like the After-school Program, Summer Camp, and Refuse To Use Program. The full 11 mile trail run starts at the South Londonderry Depot and ends at Jamaica State Park. This run is great for trail running enthusiasts of all skill levels. In addition to the competitive, unofficial timed 11 mile run for individual runners, it has a 3-leg relay option, walkers’ start time and a 5K Fun Run. We also have volunteer opportunities at the registration table and water stations. Visit our Volunteer Opportunities page to learn more. We ask no dogs. If you would like to push a stroller, the 5K or the first leg of the race is best.
This is a great June race with ideal running weather, through a scenic route with gorgeous river, woods and mountain views. Runner perks include a custom design t-shirt, unique finisher medals, gift bags of Vermont goodies and a free day pass into Jamaica State Park. Overall winners (M/F) and top finishers for six different age groups are awarded. The race includes a post race celebration with food, music, raffles, and swimming hole cool off.
6th Annual West River Trail Run
Londonderry & Jamaica, Vermont
Saturday, June 2, 2018
For more information, please contact us HERE.
Champagne Hikers on the Trail
The Champagne Hikers of Western MA/Southern VT were out on the trail in force on April 11! They hiked 7 1/2 miles from Black Mountain to the Marina, stopping for a break at the picnic table on the Riverstone Preserve. Malcolm Moore of the FWRT lower section steering committee was on the hike and overheard another hiker say “this trail is a treasure!” She’s right! Time to get back on the trail if you took a break over the winter. Come out and look for signs of spring.
Photos by Malcolm Moore.
The West River Trail Run
Saturday, June 3, 2017, is the annual West River Trail Run, held in Londonderry & Jamaica, Vermont. A FUNdraiser to benefit The Collaborative’s long-standing programs like the Afterschool Program, Summer Camp, and Refuse To Use Program.
Click here for more info: https://runsignup.com/Race/VT/SouthLondonderry/WestRiverTrailRun
The full 11 mile trail run starts at the South Londonderry Depot and ends at Jamaica State Park. This run is great for trail running enthusiasts of all skill levels. In addition to the competitive, unofficial timed 11 mile run for individual runners, it has a 3-leg relay option, walkers’ start time and a 5K Fun Run.
The West River Trail Run course is surpack for the first 4 miles and follows the West River as you pass through Winhall Brook camp ground. Then into the woods as you watch your step with rocks, leaves and trees (oh my!), cross over Angel Falls (yes, there is water but there are rocks to step across), don’t forget to look up! Up the hill you go! Then down the gnarly switchback at Ball Mountain Dam. Almost there with 4 miles left, as the river is now to the right of you! A couple miles down the surpack in Jamaica State Park and you cross the finish to dip your feet in the river. We ask no dogs. If you would like to push a stroller, the 5K or the first leg of the race is best.
Sponsored by the Collaborative
Email: info@thecollaborative.us
Phone: (802) 824-4200
Physical & Mailing Address: 91 VT Route 11, Londonderry, Vermont 05148
The Conversation Continues on Route 30 Gateway Improvements
The conversation continues on Route 30 gateway improvements. Excerpt from an article in The Commons.
At a May 24 informational meeting, consultants contracted to conduct the study released a draft existing-conditions report and sought feedback from an audience of approximately 20 people.
Alex Wilson of the Friends of West River Trail discussed plans for a pedestrian bridge across the West River to connect Route 30 to the trail. Plans for a cable pedestrian bridge slung under the new Interstate-91 bridge were abandoned, Wilson said. Costs for cabling were higher than expected and the bridge would sway too much, he said. Wilson, who also serves on the community advisory committee, said the Friends are instead investigating constructing a bridge at a narrower part of the river near the West River Park.
Full article available at The Commons website. Originally published in The Commons issue #359 (Wednesday, June 1, 2016). This story appeared on page A1.
For more information click on the Place Sense website.
THE WEST RIVER TRAIL 