SUPER BEAUTIFUL drive with amazing fall foliage. The top was foggy and rainy so we couldn't see…read moredown or hike but beautiful drive up. The hike is mostly pine trees. Suggested donation is $4/person.

Dogs are welcome at this great dog park. it is clean and everyone who goes there are all so nice…read more We were there for The Frank Monahan Foundation 5k Run. Concord, NH. All photos from that fun day were by me, Kate Putnam.

Steep. ?Private. Rocky. Good exercise. Great views of Lake Winnipesaukee. More to come . . .read more

Also known as Bald Peak (and lending it's name to the nearby Bald Peak Colony Club) this little…read moremountain is a decent size to get in a half-day hike, depending on your ability, a picnic lunch, and some incredible views. It's a popular trek. There are also several hiking paths nearby which are maintained by the Castle Preservation Society, as well as Castle in the Clouds itself, and hiking trails at Mt. Shaw (I believe) nearby. I recommend sticking to the path along the eastern side (right-hand side as you approach the base) of the mountain. There are several very interesting places to explore just off the path, however they can get steep. The path travels up around the back of the rocky area. As you approach the outcropping, you will have an impressive view of Lake Winnipesaukee. When I was last there, there was a picnic table and camp fire as well. There are horse trails from the summit that travel west to Castle in the Clouds, but it's a long haul to get over there! (These trails are free and open to the public, but the Castle charges admission.) I believe I read that there are some geocaching spots up there as well. Parking is along the road right at the Tuftonboro/Moultonboro border by the town sign honoring local Olympians Hannah Hardaway and Wolfgang Moser.

Very popular and well-travelled, the Bridge-Falls Path is a nice easy little trail, about half a…read moremile long. Starting downtown at the Wolfeboro Train Depot, it follows the path of the now defunct Wolfeboro Scenic Railway. The tracks are gone, but the scenic views remain. There's plenty of parking at the historic depot, and a short ride on your bike or a leisurely stroll will take you along Wolfeboro's Back Bay and past some informative signage telling the history of the area. After passing through the wooded shade and some interesting rock outcroppings, you will see the remains of Berry Mill, built in 1840, and still making excelsior when I was a kid in the early 80s. Here you can often find people fishing along the river, and others walking their dogs, taking photos, or just simply enjoying the sun. Crossing the bridge at Wolfeboro Falls, near the run-down water wheel, the Bridge-Falls Path comes to an end. But if you still have some adventure left in you, you can venture across the street and continue the 12 mile path onto the Cotton Valley Trail, also known as the Wolfeboro-Sanbornville Recreational Trail or the Honorable Russell Chase Memorial Path. The rails are still in place from here on, and still used once a year for hobbyists to try their own rail vehicles. But that's another review! The Bridge-Falls Path is lit for nighttime use, but I'm not really sure I'd go it alone in the dark. Unfortunate signs of graffiti are sparse (and oddly kooky- OctoCat, half-octopus half-cat! These vandals are likely young kids with an off-kilter sense of humor.) Overall, the Bridge-Falls Path is a great start to the Cotton Valley Trail.

The Sunset Hill Trail in Newbury NH is aptly named after this wonderful trail that has an almost…read moreunobstructed view of the West, Lake Sunapee and the Green Mountains of Vermont. Sunset here is a moment of glory. The trail is an easy to moderate 2.4-mile out and back with only a 500-foot ascent. The trail has a steady climb so once you start past the gate, it continues almost at the same grade - considering this used to be a stage coach route to an 1800s farm. Once on top, there are magnificent views. On a dry day in the beginning of September, we didn't see a bug nor a mosquito.... The trail is part of the John Hay Estate, the property of one of America's most consequential Secretaries of State. Hay was the director of our foreign policy in the Spanish American War under President McKinley, the manager of President Teddy Roosevelt's Open Door Policy with China, and led the diplomatic efforts to building the Panama. Canal. The Hay Estate has many acres and besides the trail, visitors can see The Fells, the home of the late State Secretary. A piece of history, a wonderful hike and a great visit.

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.

A very nice little walking hiking trail. Well marked with ski markers for cross country and maps…read moreeverywhere. Beautiful woods.

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!

We had a fun day on Lake Winnesquam! Although still busy on a beautiful summer day, it's calmer…read morethan it's more famous, much larger, similarly named lake neighbor. NH fish and wild life have two boat launches onto a short river, right near the mouth of the lake. The ramps and a staging area to wait your turn are down a short drive, past parking. On the weekend, a 'lake host' is on hand to see that everything runs smoothly. There is no large sign telling you where the ramp is. On our visit, a small, wooden, hand painted 'Boat launch' sign had been nailed to a fence post. The entrance is two way traffic. A large NH Fish and Wildlife information board is in the staging area of the parking lot. If you are fishing, be sure to go onto the NH fish and wildlife website to get your license. Parking is for trailered vehicles only. A couple of spot, nearest the ramp are reserved for handicapped vehicles towing a trailer plus one for a handicapped van without trailer. Parking over flow for vehicles with trailers and all of those without, is on either side of Water Street. When we departed around 4pm, there were parking spots available in the lot. If you want to be sure you can park in the lot I recommend either an early arrival or after the early birds leave, later in the day. There are three porta-a-johns in the parking area, nearby the ramps, including one handicapped accessible model. On either side of the ramps is a dock where you can load and unload passengers and supplies. Head east (south?) on the river to access the lake. This is a 'no wake' area. Once out on the lake there are a couple of sandbars where boaters had anchored and were playing games. There are shallow area of the lake and a couple of public beaches where you can anchor and swim in. A few boaters had floating mats and were anchored out in the lake. Besides boats, there are a number of personal watercraft. Many boaters were waterskiing and tubing, so keep an eye out for fallen swimmers! There are also a fair number of fishermen (fisherpeople?) all around the lake in 'no wake' areas or close to shore. Definitely large enough to enjoy a day on the lake. The boats here are smaller than on other, larger lakes, so a smaller wake to deal with. There are rental properties around the lake if you want to stay nearby and watercraft rentals are available in the area. There is one marina on the lake for your fuel needs.