For inclusion on this list, trails must have minimal elevation change, minimal root and rock impediment, and should be mostly wide enough for two people to walk side by side. However, considering the public health recommendations during the time of Covid-19 restrictions, we recommend walking further apart – 6ft or more – or in a single file. Please consider the safety of your companions and others on the trails.
Parking, benches, bathrooms, fees as noted
- Mileage listed is total length in one direction. “1 mile out and back” = 2 miles total.
- “The Kanc” = The Kancamagus Highway, also known as NH Route 112.
- US Fee Area = Go to a White Mountain National Forest Service Ranger Station to buy a day/ annual/ lifetime pass. Ranger Stations are located in Conway, Gorham and Campton.
- NEARBY GEOCACHES: Find geocaches on many of the trails Geocaching.com
Tin Mountain Conservation Center – Bobcat Trail to Bear Tree Loop to Maple Leaf Trail. 1.0 mile loop. Trailhead near the gazebo at Tin Mountain Conservation Rockwell Sanctuary on Bald Hill Road. Gravel and pine needle soft surface. 4-8 feet wide. Indoor bath rooms when Tin Mountain is open. Also, a nice 0.2 trail from the gazebo to Chase Pond. Map at https://www.tinmountain.org/wp-content/uploads/RockwellMap.pdf (last updated Summer 2021)
Swift River Trail, Albany Town Forest. 0.5 mile out and back. Multiple loops available. Dirt/ gravel surface. Trailhead on the northerly sideline of the Kanc, 0.7 miles from Route 16. Also a trailhead and limited parking at the Saco Ranger Station. Special feature – alongside the Swift River. Map at https://www.usvlt.org/uploads/ATF_v3.jpg (last updated Summer 2021)
Nanamocomuck Trail. 1 mile out and back. Wide old road – 4-10 feet wide, some washout shallow gullies. Parking on either side of the Albany Covered Bridge. Trail begins on the Passaconaway Road side along the beautiful Swift River. www.traillink.com, maps also at the Ranger Station. The first mile or so is on a Forest Service Road and is a great walk; beyond that point there are drainage issues, log bridges, and diversions into the woods. The trail continues 2.6 miles to Rocky Gorge but that does not meet our Most Walkable criteria. US fee area. (last updated May 19, 2020).
Rocky Gorge & Lovequist Loop. 0.6 mile out and back. Trailhead at Forest Service parking lot on the Kanc, 9 miles west of Route 16. ADA wheelchair and walkable paved paths and benches 0.1 mile to the Gorge and 0.2 miles beyond the bridge; the bridge over the Gorge is also wheel chair accessible; the trail that continues on the far side of the bridge is forest floor, but smooth and wide and goes up a small rise, and down to a bench by the pond.
Lovequist Loop goes around a pond on the far side of the river, with roots and many elevation changes, not meeting the criteria of “walkable” for this list. US fee area. (last updated May 19, 2020)
Moat Mineral Trail. 1 mile out and back to the Smokey Quartz Mineral Collecting Area; gravel and dirt surface. Trailhead is at the end of High Street, 1.2 miles off Passaconaway Road from West Side Road. Expect some mountain bikers. Map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74885?
Russell-Colbath House Rail ‘N River Interpretive Trail. 0.8 mile loop. Trailhead and bathrooms at the parking lot, 12 miles west of Route 16. Crushed gravel and clay surface. ADA Accessible except for one sandy washout near the river. Interpretative historical signs describe 19th century life of loggers. (last updated May 25, 2020)
Sabbaday Falls 0.7 mile out to the falls. Trailhead 16 miles west of Route 16 on the Kanc. Parking as USFS – fee area. Gravel/clay/pine needle surface, gentle incline, 4-8 feet wide. Some steepish grade as it follows the Sabbaday Brook but there are good benches along the way. Beautiful emerald pool below the rushing falls. (last updated May 25, 2020)
Intervale- Town Hall Road to Mountain Pond – Park 3 miles from 16A in Intervale on Town Hall Road at the gate. Travel as far as you wish. The forest road is wide, dirt/gravel hugging East Branch River with waterfalls and streams gurgling from the hillside. Snowmobile and cross-country ski trails in winter. (last updated Nov 14, 2021)
Sugar Shack Trail. 0.7 mile loop. Dirt/ gravel surface. 4-6 feet wide. Trailhead at Believe in Books Sugar Shack, west side of Route 16 in the Intervale. Portable toilet. Suggested donation $5 /$10 per car day/week, or annual membership. Map at http://www.believeinbooks.org/trail-system.html (last updated May 27, 2020)
Storybook Trail 0.5 mile forested loop. Dirt/ gravel surface. Trailhead off Route 16 at Believe in Books Central parking lot with kiosk. Start to the RIGHT of the kiosk to follow the interpretive trail markers. Childrens’ book donations accepted. Portable toilet. Suggested donation $5 /$10 per car day/week, or annual membership. Map at http://www.believeinbooks.org/trail-system.html (last updated May 27, 2020)
Slippery Brook Road 0.5 mile out and back. Gravel surface. Trail head at the Easterly end of Town Hall Road in Bartlett. Might be too tough to drive out here ? Map at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74939
Thorne Pond Conservation Area. 1-mile flat loop. More than 5 feet wide. Trailhead an ample parking off Route 302 to the right directly across from entrance to Grand Summit. US fee area. Trail loops around gentle pond and has spur to the Saco River. (last updated Sept, 2021)
Morrell Family Community Complex. 0.75 gravel/clay, ADA wheelchair compliant surface, 6-8 feet wide, meandering trail with well-built wooden bridges over streams. 10-station fitness and nature trail on the westernmost parcel. Parking at the entrance to the complex just east of Bartlett Village.
Leach Link. 1.0 mile out and back. Dirt/ gravel surface. Trailhead at Forest Service Road 355 on Stone House Road, off Route 113. Short bit on the service road, then the trail branches to the right and follows the Cold River. Map at AMC White Mountain Guide map 5, also see www.fs.fed.us for interactive map that will zoom in. Print a map before going – no cell service on this trail. Forest Service bathrooms at the nearby Baldface Trail parking area on Route 113. Nearby Notch View Farm Stand is an added treat. (last updated 4/26/19 – some snow and wet areas)
In South Chatham there are three national forest roads providing easy walking.
- Harwood Hill Rd. or Forest Road 317 has a hiker symbol pertaining to the Weeks Brook Trail that summits Mt. Kearsage. You can stay on the forest road and go as far as you want. There is a gate across the road so there are no cars and in the winter parts are snowmobile trails. Good for micro spikes or snowshoes. (last updated October 2021)
- Forest road 303 5 miles north of Sherman Farms Market on Green Hills Road leads off to the left. It is gated so walk as far as you want with no cars. It runs just to the west of Middle Brook
- Forest road 450 About 5.2 miles north of Sherman Farms Market is a pleasant walk on the east side of Middle Brook. At the end of the road is the Province Pond Trail. There is a hiker sign at the beginning of the road. Gated in the winter not during hiking season
Two trails from Kennett High School back parking lots are the most walkable friendly:
- Pine Hill Community Trail – 2.6 mile down and back from the right side of Gary Millen stadium to the intersection of the Conway Rec Path on the Saco River. The woodland trail is newly graded, widened (5-6 feet) and covered with composted fine gravel for smooth, easy walking except for the last 0.1 mile. (last updated Nov 11, 2021)
- Tin Mountain Conservation Center interpretive nature trail leaves from the mid-point of the bus parking lot into the ravine with a beautifully sculpted trail and bridge. Total distance around the fields to the road and back is 1.8 miles with interpretive signs along the way. Like the Pine Hill Trail, the surface is well compacted, smooth and delightful for anyone with mobility issues. (last updated Nov 11, 2021)
Bancroft Loop at Whitaker Woods. 0.7 – 1.0 miles. Forest floor surface that’s more than 5 feet wide. Stay west of the rail road tracks or go over the tracks and turn left and loop back. Flat terrain with some roots and lots of pine needles and wood chips. Plentiful dogs and other walkers and runners. Great for winter snowshoeing. Parking at Whitaker Woods lot off Route 16 just after Pine Street or at John Fuller School. Map at https://conwaynh.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Whitaker-Woods_2017.pdf (last updated Nov 11, 2021)
Slightly More Difficult:
Smith Eastman Trail also known as Conway Rec Path along Saco River. 0.8 out and back. Dirt/ gravel. Trail head at the Smith Eastman Bridge, on Meetinghouse Hill Road, behind the Conway Police Station. Roots make the surface uneven in the first 100 years then it smooths out. The trail runs along the Saco River with gorgeous views and connects to additional trails to Kennett High School and Lamplighters. Map on kiosk at parking area. Can continue for full 2 miles out before return. (last updated Nov 11, 2021)
Memorial Hospital Fitness Trail. 0.75 loop. Dirt/ gravel and forest floor surface – 4-8 feet wide. Trail head by Emergency Room parking lot. Includes 9 exercise stations. Map at https://mainehealth.org/-/media/memorial-hospital/mh192-demarktrailmap-8-30.pdf?la=en
Pudding Pond – 2.1 miles from Thompson Road parking to and around a loop skirting the edge of the east side of the pond with views of beaver dams and lovely water. Trail begins comfortably flat and wide but has sections at the far end of the loop that narrow and have large roots. Watch trail signs. Trail is criss-crossed by mountain bike trails. Map at https://conwaynh.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Pudding-Pond_2015.pdf (last updated Nov 11, 2021)
Not quite “walkable”, but easy and beautiful: Leita Monroe Lucas Preserve 1.1 mile loop trail. Single-file, rock and root strewn trail with uneven footing and some elevation. Good for winter micro-spikes and poles. Trailhead on Green Hill Road near Conway/ Chatham line. Easy hike to the Dewing Cottage Site, also easy to the cascades, but the connector between the two, including the height of land, does not meet our “reasonably flat” criteria. Map at https://www.usvlt.org/uploads/LML_v11.jpg (last updated 04/25/19 – snowy and wet)
Hoyt Audubon Sanctuary: 1252 Eaton Rd. Trail head parking is south of the resort at a kiosk at the intersection of Eaton Rd. and Horse Leg Hill Rd. In Winter these trails are used for snowshoe and x-country skiing. A Pass must be purchased from Purity Springs Resort to use these trails in the Winter. This is the access for:
Esker Trail – 0.5 mile loop. Yellow blazed trail lies atop an esker, a glacial sand & gravel deposit, and has views of Purity Lake and the kettle hole pond called ‘No Bottom Pond’ with its interesting bog plants like Black Spruce and Rhodora. It also showcases some of the biggest White Pines on the sanctuary. Summer birdlife here includes Pine Warbler, Great Crested Flycatcher, & Common Yellowthroat (last updated Oct, 2021)
Little Brook Trail- .2 Red Blazed. Turns off of Esker and leads to Sunset Beach Road. Or just before you get to the road turn left and there is a little path that will take you directly to Heath View Trail.
Heath View Trail- is a .7 mile trail. This trail hugs the shoreline of the cove, a shallow wetland with a floating bog mat. Beaver and Otter live here, as well as many species of birds such as Great Blue Heron and Spotted Sandpiper.
Sunset Beach Road – 1 mile out and back. Is accessed off of Esker Trail and Little Brook Trail. There are several cellar holes along this old dirt road, and two short Audubon trails leave from the road. These can be rooty and hilly. Please note that the beach at the end is private property.
https://www.nhaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/Hoyt.pdf (last updated 10, 2021)
Freedom Town Forest – There are many trails in this area with 2 that are most walkable. The Town Forest is on the North side of Ossipee Lake Road.
Old Pequawket Trail -2.2 mile out and back. Trailhead at junction of Ossipee Lake Rd. and Pequawket Trail. Parking and green kiosk with maps are at trailhead. Sand and wide gravel surface – low, flat grade. Map at http://townoffreedom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Trailmap.pdf (last updated Oct, 2021)
Jackman Ridge Trail – 3 miles out and back to Trout Pond but you can just walk and turn around at your will. Trailhead is on Shawtown Rd., off of Ossipee Lake Rd., a little further east of Pequawket trail. Kiosk with map and parking. Trail is wide, sand, gravel with slight incline. (last updated Oct, 2021)
Forest Ecology Trail – 1.2 mile loop. This trail parking is located about 3.3 miles east from Rt. 153 on Ossipee Lake Road, west of Camp Calumet.. Nice view of Jackman Ridge at half way point. (last updated Oct, 2021)
Mountain Division Trail. 4.0 miles. Asphalt/ gravel. ADA accessible. Trailheads at Route 113 (Portland St). at Lyman Dr. and also at US 302/E. Main St. at Haley Town Road. Visitor Center near Haley Town Road. Map at https://mainebyfoot.com/mountain-division-trail-fryeburg/ (need to walk – but this is known to be ADA accessible)
Pond Loop and Sam Willey Trails. Walk in mid- late summer when water levels are low. Across from Crawford Notch visitor information center on Route 302. Bathrooms when the center is open; benches along trail; snack bar. Dirt surface trails, not entirely flat, but very walkable – 4-6 feet wide. The Pond Loop is 0.2 miles from the parking lot, across the dam bridge, and around behind the pond. The Sam Willey Trail is 0.5 out and back, across the dam bridge and then off to the right along the river. More hiking info at the center. Excellent spot for a picnic (last updated water too high May 27, 2020)
Bog Brook Trail. 1 mile out and back. Dirt surface. Trailhead at Carter Notch Road. Many wet areas on this trail. https://www.jackson-nh.org/sites/jacksonnh/files/uploads/prospectfarmmap.pdf (need to walk)
Jackson Village Loop. 1.4 mile loop. Paved sidewalks. Park at the Jackson Library; portable toilet in parking lot; walk around the Village and through the classic covered bridge along Route 16 and Route 16a. (last updated 6/17/19. The covered bridge repair is complete, but there is some sidewalk work still happening on Route 16)
Madison Boulder Take Boulder Road off of Route 113. 0.5 mile Round Trip from dedicated parking lot. Go through gate and follow flat, wide trail with gravel, sandy terrain and with excellent explanations regarding geology and history of the area. According to the Madison Conservation Commission, the Madison Boulder is the largest glacial erratic in New England and among the largest in the world. Excellent Grandparent-Grandchild hike. (last updated Nov 14, 2021)
Hathaway Trail System Take Colby Hill Road off of Route 113. In the winter park on road near Albert Road, other seasons take a right on Albert Road, go 100 yards, and park in dedicated parking area at trailheads.
Both Robbins Way and Kyle’s Trail go to the field with outstanding views of Mt. Chocorua and the Sandwich Range and Mt. Washington and the Presidential Range – go on a clear day! This is one of the best effort to view ratio hikes in the Whites (minimum effort, maximum view). Both trails are 0.5 round trip, and a 1.0 mile loop is available. Robbins Way is a gentler, wider, and easier terrain hike. Kyle’s Trail is rougher and steeper. Additional views available from field by following Ledge Trail to two outlooks 1,2 mile round trip from field. Robbins Way is an excellent Grandparent-Grandchild hike. (last updated 6/29/22: severely logged. Not as pretty walking, but still a beautiful view)
Cooks Pond Forest Trail Take East Shore Road off of Route 41 and then turn right on Lead Mine Road. Dedicated parking about 200 yards on right. Park in Goodwin Town Forest lot. Cross road and access trail on the left. 1.4 mile Round Trip to Cooks Pond. Follow well placed Nature Conservancy trail markers for the Cooks Pond Forest Trail. Loop hike is available, total distance 2.3 miles with more ups and downs. (last updated Nov 14, 2021)
Ossipee Pine Barrens 1.6 mile ADA loop trail. Compacted rock designed to accommodate some wheelchairs. Consistent 5 feet wide path with wider corridor. There are multiple trails from this trailhead owned and maintained by The Nature Conservancy. Varied lengths. Walk through the globally rare pitch pine/scrub oak ecosystem. Listen to the varied and rare birdsong. Parking at trailhead off Route 41. Kiosk has additional information. ADA accessible trail opened fall of 2018. http://naturenh.org/OPBguide (last updated at trail opening in and May 23, 2020)
Ward Parcel 1.0 mile loop created as Eagle Scout project. Beautifully blazed. Some uneven forest floor surface. Nice woodlot; plenty of animal tracks and trail runs along (but does not cross) a mossy brook that runs all year. Park at Burke Field and find trailhead behind new solar array. Portable toilet. http://www.madison-nh.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Madison-Trails-Map-Final-For-Distribution.pdf (last updated May 23, 2020)
Long Sands Constitution Park. The Park is located on Long Sands Rd. off of Rt. 25 in Ossipee. It is 2.3 miles East of Rt.16 and 2.9 miles West from Rt.153N. There are 5 walking trails. Go past the entrance to the park and turn right onto Conservation Rd. Follow the signs to” Hiking Trails” and park in the circular loop. Download a map of the area here: https://www.ossipee.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif3641/f/file/file/constitution_park_map.pdf
1. Deer Run Trail – out and back is at north side of lot. It is the wider and flatter of the trails. Part of it is a board walk over the wetlands. T the north end it crosses a dirt road (Long Sands) and ends on the southern side of Ossipee Lake with a beautiful view. .23 Mi.
2. Moose trail is at the southern side of the parking loop but not presently marked. By itself it is .18 Mi. However, it joins with Green Mountain Trail which bears to the right and loops around back to Moose. Green Mountain is .28 Mi. This is in the woods and has mildly higher grades.
3. At the end of Moose Mountain Trail, turn right and you will see an intersection of Hill Top Trail that goes to the right, and Beaver trail that goes to the left. They both loop around and join one another. Hill Top is .24 Mi. long; Beaver Trail is .31Mi.
These trails are easily accessible, but not considered specifically ADA Handicap accessible.
The Park has a tennis court, baseball and soccer fields, playground and a dog park.
There is ample parking in both lots.
Brook Path – Lots of options on this lovely 1.8 mile out and back trail to the bridge that crosses the brook. For a view of waterfalls, go another 0.2 miles from the bridge and follow the trail to the left though it is bumpier terrain and not as friendly but certainly doable. Falls are breathtaking and worth the effort – just be patient and cautious. If going in winter, wear micro spikes rather than snowshoes.
Trailhead located on 113A on left side of road about 5.0 miles from Tamworth Town Center and about 0.5 miles prior to Ferncroft Road in Wonalancet
Frank Bolles Nature Preserve has several good options. Trailhead for all begins at the end of Scott road 3.3 miles north of Chocorua Village off Rt. 16. Heron Pond is ~1 mile in on leafy surface, 4-6 feet wide. The path crosses private land in the first ¼ mile. Turn left at the end of the field and follow The Nature conservancy yellow and green trail markers to the pond which is a glacial kettle hole – water and depression left behind after glacial melt. Old Mail Road (0.3 mi), Middle Trail (0.7 mi), and Lake trail (0.25 mi) form a wide, pine and oak forested access to the west edge of Chocorua Lake. Each section is very well marked. Maintained by the Chocorua Lake Conservation Society. (last updated May 30, 2020 – Mosquitoes!)
Map: https://www.hikingproject.com/directory/8019565/frank-bolles-preserve-clark-reserve
Jackman Pond Wildlife Area North Shore Trail. 1.0 mile loop Parking is available on the wide shoulder of Route 113 (Jackman Pond Road) at the Wildlife Area sign 0.7 miles north of Route 25, or at the Community School on Bunker Hill Road. North Shore Trail starts 200 feet west of the Wildlife Area sign. Trail circles the edge of the marsh and pond. Maps and descriptions http://www.tamworthconservationcommission.org/managed-lands-trails
Outside of Our Area; but Worth the Trip
Green Mountain Conservation Center:
Green Mountain Natural Area Trail. It is located on Green Mountain Rd. a few hundred feet from the intersection of Rt. 153N/Rt 25. Green Mountain Rd. continues south off of Rt. 153N when it intersects with Rt. 25. There is no parking area. Be sure to park far enough off the road. The trail is .5 Mi. Follow the arrows. it goes to the right and the left.
Further West on Rt. 25, (3.2 miles from 153 N, and 8.3 miles from Rt. 16), you will take a right onto Huntress Bridge Rd. Go over the bridge and on your left is the headquarters of GMCC. Blue Heron House. This is a beautiful sanctuary with two interpretive nature trails.
Great Blue Heron Trail is a .2-mile loop.
Artemis Trail is .4 mi one way.
Lots of roots in here, but no elevation.
Gorham Forest Service Ranger Station has a trail specifically designed for this kind of walking.
Lincoln Woods – on the Kanc, just before Loon Mountain Ski Area. ___ miles; gravel surface; former logging railroad bed. Parking, bathrooms, suspension bridge.
Great Glen Trails https://www.greatglentrails.com/explore-summer/trail-running-walking
