Country Roads, Take Me Home – Colgate Edition: 

As spring arrives in Hamilton, students start going on runs to soak up any sun or warm weather they can get! Being situated in a rural community, I have learned to love my walks/runs amongst the various farms and country roads. If you enjoy the rural landscape as well, here are some places where I recommend you adventure. 

• Remember to walk/run on the side of the road where cars come towards you, and stay visible. Country roads are not designed for people and cars and are rather isolated, so be aware of your surroundings. Please stay safe!

1. Horse Farm Route: Take Broad Street into town, pass the Colgate Inn, onto Madison Street, and continue until you see the horses (or until the sidewalk ends). I fear it may be slightly trespassing to see this family’s horses, but one can also see from a distance, or live on the dangerous side…(I have never had a problem stopping by to say a quick hello!)

2. Golf Course/Country Roads: Take Broad Street into town, take a right at the Colgate Inn, continue until the Seven Oaks Golf restaurant, where you take a left, and you can adventure as far as you desire. You get the beautiful golf course views, prime country roads, lake views, and if you go far enough, you can find yourself at the Hamilton Inn. This is arguably my favorite long run spot, but it can definitely be whatever distance you want. 

3. Culvert Brook Stock Farm:Start on Broad Street and take a left on College Street, where you will pass all the athletic fields. Finally, take a left, and you should see this small farm. On rare occasions, I have seen cows and horses out, so maybe you will get lucky too! From here, you could continue on the left to see more country roads, or I often head back right, which takes you to town if you continue straight. I also love a good detour. If you chose right, you can head towards the Colgate softball field: taking a right from the farm, continuing straight until a left onto Montgomery Street, followed by an eventual left on Eaton Street. If you continue forward, you should see an American flag, and then you will arrive at the Colgate softball field! 

4. Colgate Trails: Talk about convenience. I will say that they are working on better trail markings, and the times I have gone have been a little confusing, but the nature is still beautiful. I attached the map of trails. I have always started at the cemetery, the X on the map, near Chapel House, and then taken the trails that have been in front of me. I have kinda gotten lost and then just explored, hoping to see my way out at some point! In all truthfulness, go with friends, but it is not such a big area that you will actually get lost.