The Chesterfield Gorge

This place saved my life

"Property Description 166 acres | Established 1929
Chesterfield Gorge was initially carved from metamorphic bedrock by the torrents of glacial meltwater; the gorge continues to be shaped by the East Branch of the Westfield River. The surrounding transitional hardwood forest features oak, pine, and hemlock, and is home to bears, bobcats, and turkeys. Visitors may enjoy a half-mile trail along cliff tops that offer views of the gorge, the river, and the surrounding forest. Look for trout basking in the pools below.

Stone abutments of a ca.1762 bridge that spanned the river are all that remain of an important link in the former post road between Boston and Albany, NY. Stagecoaches used the bridge, and a toll gate was established at its eastern end. During the American Revolutionary War, redcoats marched over this bridge toward Boston following their defeat at Saratoga, NY. In 1835, floodwaters swept away the bridge along with nearby gristmills and sawmills.

Chesterfield Gorge is the entrance to an extensive natural area along the Westfield River, recently designated a National Wild and Scenic River. Catch-and-release fly fishing for trout is a popular pastime."