Local Dirt
Where to hit the trails
Tell someone where you are going,know hunting season dates and wear orange when necessary. Most of these properties allow hunting.
Bear Brook State Park
Allenstown
A 10,000-acre state park North East of Manchester, it's the largest developed park in the state. Hikers, bikers, and trail runners will love it here, with over 40 miles of trails of a diverse nature. From machine built mountain bike trails to steep scrambles up to viewpoints, the park has it all. Bikers should head to the parking area off Podunk rd for quick access to the super fun downhill Bear trails and cross country action on Hemlock, Broken Boulder, and Chipmunk trails. Runners will love trails like One Mile and Bear Brook while Podunk Road's smooth dirt provides miles of runway. Hikers can head anywhere, though Catamount Hill should be a must visit for the best lookout in the park.
The Uncanoonucs
Goffstown
No matter where you live, you have seen these two peaks. Both mountains have multiple trails to their respective summits and offer viewpoints in each direction. Runners will find more miles than they can hit in a day, and can easily rack up thousands of feet of elevation gain in a relatively short outing. Bikers might need to find an experienced local or have a sense of adventure, but there are well over 50 miles of trails in the surrounding area. Unmarked, and web-like at times, getting lost is easy, though you will eventually end up on a road and can find your bearing. Test your fitness with a hike or run up the Incline, a remnant of an actual Incline train that climbed the South Peak in the early 1900s. It has the most vertical per distance you can find south of the Whites.
Musquash Conservation Area
Londonderry
At over 1000 acres, it is the largest undeveloped tract of land in Londonderry. One of the better, and more clearly marked, trail systems around. Well over 20 miles of trails with something for everyone here.
Horse Hill Nature Preserve
Merrimack
Old logging roads form the basis of a trail network that connects single track on fairly steep terrain with gently rolling double track that passes wetlands, streams, and ponds. Blodgett Hill is the highest point in the park and makes for a great hike or ride. Bikers can connect to the Grater Woods trail system to the north with a road connection for some serious mileage.
Joe English Conservation Land
Amherst
The trails around the Peabody Mill Environmental Center make for a great family hike. Very well marked, with signage at every crossing, there is a lot to see. From a walk out to the beaver pond to several cascading brooks, it is a great place to get out in the woods. In the winter it can be truly stunning. Bikers and runners have plenty of options here too, with the ability to connect to Amherst town trails to the south making for some great mileage potential
Pulpit Rock
Bedford
Another great spot for a family hike. Relatively easy walk on well marked trails to the Pulpit, a geologic oddity formed 14,000 years ago by glacial runoff. It is a steep climb down into the gorge. Lots of history to explore, with several old mill foundations dotting the area. Trails connect through Amherst and to Joppa Hill Farm with good signage.
For the mountain bikers new to New England
Kingdom Trails
East Burke, VT
Definitely not local, but the premiere biking destination in the North East deserves your attention. Thanks to a glacial moraine, the rocks and roots of New England are replaced with buttery smooth, well drained soil. With a trail system in excess of a 100 miles and the aforementioned flow style trails, it is not uncommon for fit riders to easily put in 60 mile days. Worth the 2 hour drive.
Allenstown
A 10,000-acre state park North East of Manchester, it's the largest developed park in the state. Hikers, bikers, and trail runners will love it here, with over 40 miles of trails of a diverse nature. From machine built mountain bike trails to steep scrambles up to viewpoints, the park has it all. Bikers should head to the parking area off Podunk rd for quick access to the super fun downhill Bear trails and cross country action on Hemlock, Broken Boulder, and Chipmunk trails. Runners will love trails like One Mile and Bear Brook while Podunk Road's smooth dirt provides miles of runway. Hikers can head anywhere, though Catamount Hill should be a must visit for the best lookout in the park.
The Uncanoonucs
Goffstown
No matter where you live, you have seen these two peaks. Both mountains have multiple trails to their respective summits and offer viewpoints in each direction. Runners will find more miles than they can hit in a day, and can easily rack up thousands of feet of elevation gain in a relatively short outing. Bikers might need to find an experienced local or have a sense of adventure, but there are well over 50 miles of trails in the surrounding area. Unmarked, and web-like at times, getting lost is easy, though you will eventually end up on a road and can find your bearing. Test your fitness with a hike or run up the Incline, a remnant of an actual Incline train that climbed the South Peak in the early 1900s. It has the most vertical per distance you can find south of the Whites.
Musquash Conservation Area
Londonderry
At over 1000 acres, it is the largest undeveloped tract of land in Londonderry. One of the better, and more clearly marked, trail systems around. Well over 20 miles of trails with something for everyone here.
Horse Hill Nature Preserve
Merrimack
Old logging roads form the basis of a trail network that connects single track on fairly steep terrain with gently rolling double track that passes wetlands, streams, and ponds. Blodgett Hill is the highest point in the park and makes for a great hike or ride. Bikers can connect to the Grater Woods trail system to the north with a road connection for some serious mileage.
Joe English Conservation Land
Amherst
The trails around the Peabody Mill Environmental Center make for a great family hike. Very well marked, with signage at every crossing, there is a lot to see. From a walk out to the beaver pond to several cascading brooks, it is a great place to get out in the woods. In the winter it can be truly stunning. Bikers and runners have plenty of options here too, with the ability to connect to Amherst town trails to the south making for some great mileage potential
Pulpit Rock
Bedford
Another great spot for a family hike. Relatively easy walk on well marked trails to the Pulpit, a geologic oddity formed 14,000 years ago by glacial runoff. It is a steep climb down into the gorge. Lots of history to explore, with several old mill foundations dotting the area. Trails connect through Amherst and to Joppa Hill Farm with good signage.
For the mountain bikers new to New England
Kingdom Trails
East Burke, VT
Definitely not local, but the premiere biking destination in the North East deserves your attention. Thanks to a glacial moraine, the rocks and roots of New England are replaced with buttery smooth, well drained soil. With a trail system in excess of a 100 miles and the aforementioned flow style trails, it is not uncommon for fit riders to easily put in 60 mile days. Worth the 2 hour drive.