Trail to Freeman’s Farm from Stop 4 on the Saratoga Battlefield Tour, Saratoga National Historical Park
SARATOGA BATTLEFIELD TOUR
STOP 4: PATH TO WAR
Allow 10 minutes to 1 hour for a visit
The Path to War stop on the Saratoga Battlefield Tour marks the location where American troops of General Horatio Gates’s Northern Department of the Continental Army departed to confront British troops under the command of General John Burgoyne on September 19, 1777. A farmhouse at this spot (no longer standing) was used as an observation post, and there were a number of troops stationed here.
The quickest route to Albany, Burgoyne’s destination, was to follow the road along the Hudson River, but he knew that the Americans had built substantial fortifications between the Neilson Farm in the west and Bemus Heights to the east high on a bluff above the river. The road was also blocked by American fortifications, and cannon on the bluffs would have a clear shot at his men as they tried to squeeze through the narrow passage between the river and the bluff. He thus decided to move the bulk of his army inland in an attempt to go around the left flank of the American defenses at the Neilson Farm. A smaller force of German soldiers continued along the river road. These men had been leased to the British by various German states for money.
The British movement west was spotted by American scouts. Gates ordered Colonel Daniel Morgan to take a detachment of his 11th Virginia Regiment and the Provisional Rifle Corps along with Major Henry Dearborn’s New Hampshire Infantry to head off and slow the British. The two armies met at the Freeman Farm around noon, triggering what is now known as the Battle of Freeman’s Farm. This prompted Gates to send more men to the farm, which was only a little over a mile north of Stop 4 on the Saratoga Battlefield Tour. In response, Burgoyne redirected his German troops towards the fighting. They arrived around dusk, and their numbers ultimately helped the British overwhelm the Americans, who retreated back to the Neilson Farm during the cover of darkness. While the British may have technically won the battle, they suffered losses of around 600 men, including a large number of officers. The Americans only lost half that many, and they still blocked the way to Albany.
There are three wayside exhibits at Stop 4, and it only takes a few minutes to read the information. There is, however, an option to take a short hike north to the Freeman Farm (Stop 6 on the Battlefield Tour), allowing visitors to follow in the footsteps of Morgan’s men as they marched to head off the British.
The trail is .75 mile, one way. It is a little hilly, but it is a mowed grass path and easy to walk on. There is an option to take a side trail on the way back that leads to three monuments at the tour road a little farther up from the tour stop. From there you can walk back along the road to your car. This detour only adds a quarter mile to the 1.5-mile out-and-back hike between Stop 4 and Stop 6, plus you get to see some different scenery on the way back.
Trail map for the Battlefield Tour Stop 4 to Stop 6 hike at Saratoga National Historical Park
There is a short section of the hike that runs through the forest, but most of the terrain is out in the open. Be sure to wear a hat and apply sunscreen if avoiding the sun is important to you. Also be aware that mosquitos and gnats are a big problem in any wooded areas of Saratoga National Historical Park during the summer, so either apply insect repellant or walk fast enough that they can’t catch you.
To start the hike, look for the grass path and directional sign at the end of the short, paved path to a wayside exhibit located at the right-hand side of the parking lot.
Start of the trail to Freeman’s Farm at Stop 4 on the Saratoga Battlefield Tour, Saratoga National Historical Park
The trail quickly enters into the forest. Just before doing so, there is a side trail marked by a white post that branches off to the left. All this does is circle back and come out a little farther up the road, and not at the monuments. Continue straight into the woods to hike to Freeman’s Farm.
The trail proceeds downhill into a ravine. The hill starts off on a gradual decline but gets rather steep at the end. At the bottom is a creek spanned by a foot bridge. Note that horses are allowed on this trail, but they are not allowed on the bridge. They must walk across the creek.
Bridge over Mill Creek on the trail to Freeman’s Farm at Saratoga National Historical Park
The intersection with the trail to the monuments is only 500 feet past the bridge (a half mile into the hike). Take a right to continue towards Freeman’s Farm. From here the general trajectory of the trail is uphill all the way, but other than a short-but-steep climb right at the beginning, the ascent is fairly gradual, often to the point that I didn’t even realize I was walking uphill. The trail remains a smooth grass path, free of rocks and roots that can cause tripping. It’s just like walking on pavement.
Intersection of the trail to Freeman’s Farm and the trail to the tour road when hiking from Stop 4 on the Saratoga Battlefield Tour, Saratoga National Historical Park
Steep hill on the trail to Freeman’s Farm at Saratoga National Historical Park
It is .3 mile from the intersection to Freeman’s Farm. At the end is a paved loop path that goes around the farm area. However, just prior to the end is a trail that forks off to the right. This is not the start of the loop, so just continue straight ahead until you reach the pavement and a display of four cannon.
Side trail just before arriving at Freeman’s Farm when hiking north from Stop 4 on the Saratoga Battlefield Tour, Saratoga National Historical Park
Cannon display at Freeman’s Farm, Saratoga National Historical Park
You can walk around the farm now, but it probably makes more sense to do so when you get to Stop 6, assuming you are taking the Saratoga Battlefield Tour. Regardless of your decision, return back the way you came until reaching the intersection with the trail that leads to the monuments. At that point, take a right. The terrain remains as before, slightly hilly but always easy along a mowed grass path.
Typical terrain on the trail to the tour road at Stop 4 on the Saratoga Battlefield Tour, Saratoga National Historical Park
There are three monuments at the road, all placed by private individuals. The Rockefeller Family erected one to various Rockefellers who served in the American Revolution. The Ancient Order of Hibernians, an Irish Catholic fraternal organization, dedicated a monument to fellow member Timothy Murphy, who served in Colonel Morgan’s rifle corps. A third monument was placed by a family member of British Major John Acland, who was wounded during the fighting at Saratoga and taken captive by the Americans. His story is widely known because his wife, Lady Harriet Acland, traveled across the battlefield to the American position to take care of her husband. Note that there is a small parking area at the monuments, so it is not necessary to hike the trail to see them.
Rockefeller Family Monument at Saratoga National Historical Park
Timothy Murphy Monument at Saratoga National Historical Park
Major John Acland Monument at Saratoga National Historical Park
Once at the tour road, take a left. It is a third of a mile walk back to the parking lot along similarly hilly terrain.
Saratoga Battlefield Tour road, Saratoga National Historical Park
It is possible to drive to Freeman’s Farm, so hiking there is not a requirement. While the hike has some hills, it is quite easy, and the grass path is a pleasure to walk on. However, unless you are just looking for exercise and have some extra time on your hands, it make more sense to stick to your car.
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Last updated on October 16, 2025
