A playful guide to finding reflection, perspective, and a little mountain wisdom on Riversong's Seven Benches Trail.
Looking for an intentional Estes Park hiking trail? One of the most beloved features at Riversong Inn Retreat is our Seven Benches Trail.
The trail winds gently up the mountainside, offering beautiful views, quiet moments, and seven places to pause along the way. While every guest experiences the trail differently, we’ve found that many arrive carrying something with them—a question, a hope, a decision, a dream, or simply a need for rest.
So here’s our challenge:
As you walk the trail, give each bench an intention.
There are no right answers. Simply decide what each bench represents for you before you begin. Then notice which bench calls you to linger a little longer. Which one feels comfortable? Which one sparks a thought? Which one seems hardest to leave?
Sometimes the bench you need most finds you.
🌿 Bench One: Gratitude
Before looking ahead, pause and look behind.
Reflect on:
What is going well in your life right now?
What are you thankful for that you may have overlooked?
Who would you thank if they were sitting beside you?
Sometimes gratitude isn’t about having more. It’s about noticing what is already here.
🌲 Bench Two: Rest
Many of us are tired in ways sleep can’t fix.
Take a few deep breaths and ask:
What am I carrying that I could set down?
What would true rest look like for me?
Where in my life am I rushing?
Let the mountain remind you that not everything requires urgency.
🌄 Bench Three: Perspective
Life can feel very close when we’re standing inside of it.
This bench is for seeing the bigger picture.
Ask yourself:
Will this matter a year from now?
What advice would I give a friend facing the same situation?
What am I worrying about that may not deserve my energy?
Sometimes a little distance changes everything.
💛 Bench Four: Connection
Connection can mean many things—family, friendships, romance, community, or even reconnecting with yourself.
Consider:
Who fills your cup?
Who have you been meaning to reach out to?
What relationships deserve more of your attention?
The best conversations often begin with honest questions.
✨ Bench Five: Possibility
This is your dreaming bench.
No practicalities. No limitations. Just possibilities.
Ask:
What would I do if I knew I couldn’t fail?
What have I been wanting to try?
What feels exciting right now?
Let yourself imagine without immediately editing the idea.
🌙 Bench Six: Release
What is ready to stay on the mountain?
Think about:
A worry you’ve been carrying
A disappointment
An expectation
A story about yourself that no longer fits
You don’t have to solve everything today. Sometimes it’s enough to simply loosen your grip.
🌲 Bench Seven: Celebration & Intention
You made it! Take time to celebrate and let your gratitude expand you. Breathe it in. Take in the views. Let your heart expand capacity. Feel proud of what you’ve done and how far you’ve come. Not just in this hike, but in life.
As you prepare to head back down the trail, consider:
What am I taking with me?
What deserves more attention in my life?
What is one small step I can take when I return home?
Not every answer arrives on a mountain trail.
But often, clarity begins there.
💫 Or Create Your Own Meaning
Of course, there’s no rule that says these benches must represent gratitude, rest, or possibility.
You might dedicate them to:
Family
Creativity
Adventure
Healing
Future goals
Favorite memories
The seasons of your life
The magic of the Seven Benches Trail isn’t in the benches themselves.
It’s in the pause.
The invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and listen to what rises when life gets quiet.
And who knows?
You may discover that the bench you expected to need isn’t the one that speaks to you at all.
The mountain has a way of surprising us.