The views at the top of this short walk are amazing. It's a relaxing walk from the trailhead and…read moreonly .8 miles round trip. Great photo opportunities and it's a good place to walk your dog. There is small chestnut tree restoration farm along the way as well as a stone wall that lines the trail. Well worth a visit to see the beautiful vista at the end of this short and easy trail.

The Kearsarge/Lake Sunapee area is post-card beautiful, and residents and visitors enjoy the active…read morelifestyle and the plethora of things to do. One of the many four-season things available is hiking. And a gem in the hiking category is the Davis Hill and Clark Lookout Trail. The first thing is that almost anyone can negotiate the trail. It is only 0.7 miles long out and back in its totality. But still, visitors should plan an hour. That's because the Clark Lookout Trail provides a spectacular, I mean, write home to mom kind of beautiful, view of Lake Sunapee and Mount Sunapee. A camera or a good quality smartphone is a must, as the views here are amazing. The Clark Lookout property cuts through a neighborhood of million-dollar homes and was made available to the residents through the generosity of Sydney L. Crook and Mary D. Haddad, who donated land and funding to the town of New London for conservation and recreation use. The trail is managed by the New London Conservation Commission. Much of the land and its conservation easements are held by the area's prime land conservation organization, the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust. For a family traveling on the Interstate that wishes to have a nice break, this spot is optimum. It is also a must for anyone visiting for the first time, as you will fall in love with the area on the spot. The trail is also amazingly dog friendly (on a leash) and poopy bag dispensers are available indifferent places. The Clark Lookout Trail starts on Rt 103-A, across from the Park and Ride lot near Exit 12 on Rte. 89. From that point, the trail climbs only 100 feet. From the Conservation Commission's description, "heading up the trail, the first point of interest is the trail kiosk, which has information about the history of the trail and includes a bulletin board where notices and information are posted. Near it is the libary box, where hikkers can borrow or lend books when they visit. Turn left at the kiosk to continue up the trail. Further on is the four corner road intersection (turn right) which is the last turn before proceeding to the lookout summit". Once on top, a majestic view of Lake Sunapee, Lake Sunapee and the surrounding area greets the visitor. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Clark Lookout is one of these places where you can see the beauty of nature and feel optimistic again.

The Kidder Brook Trail is a 1.2 mile one-way or a 2.4 mile round trip through some pristine water…read morescenery. It is both, one of the most popular and also one of the most beautiful trails in the New London area. The trail is managed by the New London Conservation Commission. From the parking area at the bridge on Twin Lake Villa Road, it crosses a stone bridge and ascends 230 feet along Kidder Brook with amazing views of the flowing brook, rushing water, water falls, and views, culminating in a beautiful lake. A camera, either a stand alone or a smartphone, is a must have to capture this trail. Numerous brook scenes with flowing water, gorgeous mature pine forest scenes, and granite formations are part of the trail. This trail also crosses several other trails including the Sunapee, Ragged and Kearsarge Greenway, a magnificent, multi day trail. It also crosses and can join with the Morgan Pond Trail A must see in the area.

The Esther Currier Wildlife Management Area and the Davis Path within it are amazing conservation…read moreareas that contribute in great part, to the immense quality of life in New London. It is a superb area for admiring wildlife, beaver dams, bog vegetation and contemplation. It is also a superb 2.2 mile flat hike, suitable for families with children, pets and elderly. It is a postcard scenic area during Fall's Foliage. And a great area for hiking, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing in the Winter. The Esther Currier Wildlife Management Area at Low Plain is preserved through the efforts of a diverse group of citizen councils and nonprofit organizations. The New London Conservation Commission, and elected body, manages the area in conjunction with the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust, the Elkins Fish & Game Club, and the NH Fish & Game Department. A self guided trail map with notes is available at the Route 11 entrance and also through their website. The trails can be accessed from the parking area off Route 11 or from a parking area on Mountain Road. Most of this material is taken from the New London Conservation Commission's trail description. The main trail is named the Davis Path. It is a gated gravel road running between Route 11 and Mountain Road. Hikers can also take side trails that lead to several overlook spots and observation blinds along the edge of an active Beaver Pond. In addition, there is a quaking bog that may be viewed from a boardwalk on the trail to the Marsh Point blind. A high water bridge, built by Elkins Fish and Game Club, takes visitors over the waters that flood a portion of Davis Path during Spring thaw (bridge is shown at the right). A geological exhibit (boulder collection) and a salamander pool are visible from the Davis Path. The Davis Path is 1.13 miles in length (one way). A half mile loop trail to Shepard Spring is also shown across Mountain Road from the Davis Path. Parking is available along Mountain Road. The trail is only marked for a clockwise trip around the loop. The Conservation Commission has also developed a Forestry Management Cover Map and Forestry Plan for the Low Plain area. An unbeatable location to enjoy a couple of hours with family or simply, to admire nature in its very best.

This trail to one of the southernmost above-tree line peaks in New England is a dream of a hike…read more For starters, it is a nice length, not too long, not too short. Using the AllTrails app, I logged 2.7 miles out and back. Then, there is the gradient. It seems to be almost a constant gradual gradient from top to bottom, providing for a manageable ascent that can be done by people with very differing physical conditioning. And lastly, the last 300 feet are completely above tree line, providing for some of the most majestic views in New England, from the New Hampshire White Mountains to the north to the entire Green Mountain Range to the west, all the way down to the Berkshires in Massachusetts. Along with spectacular views of the lake Winnepesaukee and Squam Lake to the east. Planning to hike the west ridge trail, one must consider the fact that Mount Cardigan State Park does not require reservations. As a result, this trail can be absolutely packed with people, most of whom comply with COVID-19 guidance, but there are a few Irresponsible individuals who feel that any modicum of concern for the fellow human beings by wearing a mask when social distancing isn't possible, is an obstacle to their happiness. Beware. Another item to consider is proper footwear. Once near the top, the surface is solid, slippery basalt rock. On a wet day, this could mean a disaster for an individual with the improper footwear. Cardigan Mountain is perhaps one of the best places in New Hampshire to admire the foliage season.

Beautiful hike up in the White Mountains of NH that leads you to the summit of a fire tower with…read morebeautiful vistas of the range up at the top. The hike will take someone a few hours, give or take the same few hours based on your hiking experience, pace preference, desire to stop, snack, take in the sights and explore. Get ready for a nice time out in nature when you start the trail. Parking is scarce, you'll likely just park on the side of the road (it's free though) and hope you don't get sideswiped as you start the hike. There's some definite elevation, but it's not super steep or overwhelming like some of the more challenging peaks in NH (Mt Washington for instance!). In the winter, be sure to have snow shoes and spikes. This hike is unique in the firetower at the top which you can access! Everyone I met on the trail was super COVID conscious and put masks on as I passed, which was so appreciated as well. If you're staying in the beautiful town of North Conway, this hike is only a few minutes away - so be sure to check it out! At the top, you'll see views of the tallest peak of the northeast (Mt Washington) on a clear day! I wish this trail was more of a loop, but the out and back was nice too!

Four bucks pays for the ride up then a great hike awaits you. Took the easier of the two trails…read more(stay to the right.) Make it to the top for a view that makes everyday life seem ridiculous. Bugs weren't terrible so you could probably get away with some lemon/lavender oil. Enjoy!

Views are nice, better to come in the fall. Made the mistake of going in June and I am leaving…read moreafter 10 minutes with about 100 mosquito bites per limb & 10 on my face. (bug spray did not save me, maybe it'll help you) Area is very damp and walk to see the falls clearly is not an easy walk despite reviews I read beforehand. It is doable but very slippery walking across rocks to get a clear view of the waterfall. I would not recommend for folks with mobility issues.

Nice swimming hole with a super easy walk to the trail. Slight downhill but easy enough even with…read morelittle kids and even with having healed surgery on my leg. No real beach area, just rocks for sitting. Water looks brown but clean enough to swim

Outstanding view all 360* arouud. Perfect for a cook out (pinic) on the summer or when its worm out!read more

A nice little escape in Northern NH. Mascoma Lake is an unassuming and easily accessible lake for…read morelocals and travellers alike. There are several businesses along the lake, although mostly seasonal, as well and free and public boat launches and beaches around the lake. Beaches could probably be made a little more open with additional amenities, but given the small spaces they're allocated and the fact that it's free it's hard to argue with that. Would recommend checking out the beach at the south end, or the Baited Hook for good summer food. Launch your boat at the north end for small wait times and good access. During the winter, the Rail Trail lines the eastern portion of the lake for super easy snowmobile access. Also great for ice skating and pond hockey if the snow cover (and ice depth) allows!

This is easily my favorite hike on the east coast. I am certainly biased though - I attended…read moreColby-Sawyer College which is about 15 minutes away from the trail head. Each fall semester we would have a random holiday coined "Mountain Day" where at 10:00 AM the entire school climbs and enjoys the barbecue area at the trail head. I have nothing but fond summer, fall, and microspike infused winter hiking memories here. If you have the means to summit Mt.Kearsarge for the sunset or sunrise, do yourself a favor and get up there. It is simply breathtaking. Without having to travel the additional 2 hours to the White Mountains.. it can't be beat. Note: There are various trails up Kearsarge ranging in difficulty. The one on the Warner side allows you to drive a lot of the way up. On the opposite side of the mountain there is a trail about 1-1.1 miles long (more difficult and steep) and one that is about 1.5 miles long (more gradual and forgiving)

Winslow State Park is one of the trail heads to Mt. Kearsarge. I took the Winslow Trail to the…read moresummit. It is a short 1.1 mi hike, it starts off very rootsy so watch your step so you wouldn't trip on the way up. Then it gets pretty steep near the middle of the hike and rocky. The day that I went was very sunny and dry, so if it was rainy I would think it would be very slippery from the rocks. Once at the top, the view is simply amazing. It is a 360 degree view of rolling hills covered in trees. When I went the leaves just started to change colors so there were speckles of orange and reds in a sea of rolling green tree tops. An added bonus on my hike was that I was able to enter the fire watch tower since that day was classified as a "level 3" fire hazard for the area (whatever that means...) The tower sits another 50 feet above the tippity top and offered shelter from the wind. I definitely recommend this hike since it is relatively short and offers an amazing view!