National Trust for Historic Preservation Chesterwood

4 Williamsville Road, Stockbridge, MA

About Chesterwood

Chesterwood is a National Historic Landmark in Stockbridge, containing the summer estate and studio of sculptor Daniel Chester French, who famously sculpted The Minute Man in Concord, MA. While the site is best known for its museum, it contains a small trail system showcasing Chesterwood’s pristine natural beauty. French designed these trails for his daughter as a “classroom of nature” that would instill in her a love for the outdoors. Now, the trails inspire thousands of visitors yearly with that same passion for the outdoors as hikers are immersed in the estate’s natural beauty.

The Woodland Walk is a gentle half-mile trek through Chesterwood’s eastern woods. This trail is best known for its seasonal decoration with sculptures by contemporary artists. These artistic elements combine with Chesterwood’s natural beauty to make the Woodland Walk truly unique among Western Massachusetts trails. Families with children love this trail due to its engaging features, while the more curious guests see the Woodland Walk as a transformative reflection on the estate’s history on the same grounds that French found so inspiring. Near the trail’s midpoint, the Hemlock Glade takes a short trip to an overlook with distant views of the Berkshires, where a bench gives visitors an idyllic spot to reflect.

The Ledges Trail offers a short but more vigorous hike through rocky ledges scattered with caves, outcroppings, and mountain views peeking through the tree canopy. This trail takes hikers on a roughly 300-foot climb through a charming forest of pines, oaks, and mountain laurels, offering a more physically demanding way to explore Chesterwood’s rich history. Unlike the well-manicured Woodland Walk, the Ledges Trail showcases the property’s wild beauty, offering excellent contrast to the rest of Chesterwood.

These trails can be accessed with general admission to the museum and purchased on Chesterwood’s website. Since the trails are best used to complement a more extensive visit to Chesterwood, visitors are encouraged to take advantage of general admission to explore the property’s extraordinary exhibits, gardens, and architecture. Upon arrival, visitors are given a site overview and a detailed brochure to guide their visit.