The stone staircase in a New Hampshire forest that leads nowhere — and the woman who built it: Here’s the latest

Hidden among the trees of Chesterfield, New Hampshire, a curved stone staircase rises through a series of arched columns and then simply ends — no building above it, no floor to step onto, just branches and sky. It is nearly all that remains of an extraordinary structure erected in the woods about a century ago, and the history behind it is as striking as the ruins themselves. The site is Madame Sherri Forest, and it draws photographers, hikers, and curious visitors from across New England.

Antoinette Sherri, born in France in 1878, built her reputation on Broadway designing extravagant costumes, including pieces for the Ziegfeld Follies. She purchased several hundred acres in Chesterfield, constructed what locals called a castle around 1930, and used the property to host lavish parties deep in the New Hampshire woods. She was known for arriving in a luxurious automobile and living entirely on her own terms. A fire in October 1962 destroyed the castle, leaving only the stone structure standing. Today, a short walk from a small gravel parking lot off Gulf Road brings visitors to the remains: the arched staircase curving upward, a tall chimney still erect nearby, and a broad stone foundation slowly being swallowed by sugar maples and ferns. Photographers make long drives for this image, and the location has drawn painters, filmmakers, and wedding parties alike. Beyond the ruins, the two-mile Anne Stokes Loop carries hikers past Indian Pond, where beavers are active and rocky ledges meet the water. Longer trails climb toward Wantastiquet Mountain, which reaches roughly 1,300 feet and offers views of the Connecticut River, the town of Brattleboro to the west, and Mount Monadnock to the east. The forest also connects to the Wantastiquet-Monadnock Greenway, a roughly 50-mile trail network stretching from the Connecticut River eastward. Dogs are welcome under direct control, the flat sections near the trailhead are manageable for children and slower walkers, and benches near the stonework give visitors a place to stop and take in the setting. Cell service is unreliable near the trailhead, so downloading a trail map in advance is advisable. Bug spray and shoes with traction are recommended in warmer months.

Part of the tallest arch came down in 2021, and the stairs are now roped off with signs prohibiting climbing. The stonework is old and unstable, and visitors are urged to photograph the ruins from ground level — a vantage point that, as it happens, captures the full arch framed by the surrounding trees.

Madame Sherri Forest is located off Gulf Road in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and is managed by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. There is no admission fee, and the trails are open throughout the year. Fall foliage season brings the largest crowds, particularly for the contrast of orange and red maple leaves against the gray stonework. Visitors who want a quieter experience with the staircase are better off arriving on a weekday.