Work Off Your Holiday Feasts on Trails in Your Own Backyard

After a big Thanksgiving meal, work off the extra energy with a stroll through your property and beyond. For the last few years, a movement, started by REI, has urged people to #OptOutside on Black Friday. Rather than fight the crowds at the stores, take the day to discover the great outdoors lying just outside your door.

It’s been shown that just living among trees improves your well-being. When you can exercise among them, you must be even better off, right? Explore your property and the natural world around you with trails that take you deep into the woods, through meadows, by the lake, and over mountains.

16 Rolling Lane | Dover, MA

trails through Dover's Naonet woodlands
Property ID: MA2278 | Listed by Jay Boyle

A short jog from this 8-acre estate are trails that take you through Dover’s beautiful Noanet woodlands. Even with the neighborhood setting, you can enjoy peace and quiet among the trees behind this custom-built home. Hop on a bike to discover the scenery along the bike paths, too.

Camp Endo | Jamaica, VT

trails crisscross this 400-acre property overlooking Statton Mt
Property ID: VT0875 | Listed by Story Jenks, Dia Jenks, and Charles Wise

This is truly a kingdom of your own. A network of trails crisscrosses this 400-acre property overlooking Stratton Mountain. Along with trails for walking and running, there’s also custom mountain biking terrain.

Windy Ridge | Lanesborough, MA

MA2156 trails
Property ID: MA2156 | Listed by Cindy Welch

Take the trail down to the neighboring lake from this elegant country estate looking out towards Mount Greylock. If two wheels are more your style than two feet, you can also take a ride on the Berkshire bike trail.

Bircholm on Upper Saranac Lake | Santa Clara, NY

trails NY0312
Property ID: NY0312 | Listed by Vincent McClelland

Walk the perimeter of this classic and historic Adirondack Great Camp on Deer Island. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Upper Saranac Lake while walking the gentle terrain and through the mature forest.

The Masten House | Newcomb, NY

trails NY0343
Property ID: NY0343| Listed by Vincent McClelland

Avoid the crowds by taking a short hike from this private Adirondacks retreat to the least-traveled access into the High Peaks. Along with over 40 acres of private wilderness, you’ll also have an entire park to explore.

Bassett Mountain | Jay and Wilmington, NY

trails NY0322
Property ID: NY0322| Listed by Vincent McClelland

Experience something new on the trails every day at Bassett Mountain, a 1,140-acre estate spanning two mountain tops. These well-kept trails are great for hiking, running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, 4-wheeling, and snowmobiling.

1266 Monument Street | Concord, MA

trails Ma2271
Property ID: MA2271 | Listed by Abby White

Just beyond this Nantucket shingle-style estate are 80 acres of trails in October Farm and the 1200-acre Estabrook Woods. Wouldn’t it be nice to step out your door and have a natural world that you can explore every day?

Cobble Hill Farm | Londonderry, VT

trails vt0874
Property ID: VT0874 | Listed by Dia Jenks and Story Jenks

Not only do you have trails crisscrossing this peaceful and serene property, but you also have access to the 32km network of trails run by the Viking Nordic Center that connect to Cobble Hill Farm. As you roam these 149 acres, you can take in the sights of a spring-fed pond, rolling meadows, and Glebe Mountain.

Maple Leaf Farm | Lyme, NH

trails nh0462
Property ID: NH0462 | Listed by Kristin Hayes Claire

Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, hiking, and hunting are just a few of the ways that you can enjoy the trails while living atop a gorgeous hillside in the Upper Valley. The trails on this 86-acre property wind back into Lyme horse country and are great in all seasons.