Hike This Stairway To Nowhere In New Hampshire For A Magical Woodland Adventure

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors in New Hampshire. Destinations that include lakes, beaches, and mountain peaks are all around us. But, what about the destinations that might not truly be considered “destinations.” Not every trip is about where you end up and this stairway to nowhere in New Hampshire is a great example. Ditch the plans, set out on the trail and see what’s in store!

Madame Sherri’s castle is a fascinating glimpse into one woman’s life of opulence in the New Hampshire forest. Today, the castle is mostly an eroded facade, but it’s not hard to imagine what it once was.

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While seeing it is fascinating, the story behind what remains is intriguing.

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Madame Sherri was born in Paris and eventually moved to New York City in 1911 with her husband. She made a name for herself in the theater world, becoming a well-known costume designer in the 1920s. Her husband passed away and she went on to become quite wealthy through her self-made career.

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She was known to have an electric personality, making lots of friends who loved attending her opulent parties. But everything changed after she visited a friend living in New Hampshire.

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She became enamored of the forest and purchased her own land in Chesterfield. She planned every detail of the home that was built on her 600 acres. She even helped out in the building of it!

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Her plans included many unique elements, including Roman arches and the famous stone staircase visible today.

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While her life was filled with friends and fun, it was eventually too much to continue. Ultimately she left the home where it began to decay over the years. In 1962, a fire tore through the home which turned the ruins into something truly otherworldly. Madame Sherri passed away at the age of 84, leaving her ruined home and the staircase to nowhere standing in the woods.

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Some people who visit say they can hear the sound of ghostly parties still happening. Things like music, laughter and clinking glasses might just echo through the woods.

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While the remains of Madame Sherri’s castle is nestled in the forest of New Hampshire, it’s actually fairly simple to find. You’ll head to Chesterfield where you’ll see signs for “Madame Sherri Forest” indicating where the parking lot can be found.

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Here, you’ll see an info board with the history of this fascinating castle. Make your way along the trail crossing a footbridge. You’ll head towards the Ann Stokes Loop, which meanders about two miles through the forest. It also enters the Cook Town Forest. Soon the path will split and you’ll want to keep right. You’ll soon see the staircase!

Travis W / TripAdvisor

Madame Sherri Forest is located in West Chesterfield. You can learn more about it and other areas to explore in New Hampshire by visiting the Forest Society website.