New Hampshire’s Lakes Region offers a wealth of nature paths and hiking trails. The links below include local conservation lands that may not be listed elsewhere. See also Nature Walks in the NH Lakes Region by Julia Older, 25 Walks in the Lakes Region of NH by Paul Blaisdell, and The AMC White Mountain Guide.
Center Harbor and the immediate vicinity
Center Harbor Woods
Chamberlain-Reynolds Memorial Forest
Meredith trails include the Meredith Community Forest,
Hamlin-Eames-Smyth Recreation and Conservation Area,
Page Pond and Forest, Stonedam Island Conservation Area, and
Waukewan Highlands Community Park
Trails in Moultonborough include the Loon Center/Markus Sanctuary Trails,
Red Hill Conservation Area, and the Kona Wildlife Area.
Sandwich has many trails, among them the Alice Bemis Thompson Bird Sanctuary and Wildlife Refuge, Bearcamp River Trail , Red Hill Conservation Area
and the Leonard Boyd Chapman Wildbird Sanctuary
In Tuftonboro, enjoy a nature walk on the Wild Park/Chandler Pedestrian Trail
Bald Knob and Mount Shaw/Black Snout are more strenuous hikes but have great views.
To the West
- Rattlesnake Trail in Holderness, one of the most popular in the Lakes Region.
- In Bristol, the Goose Pond Trails has views of Newfound Lake; the Slim Baker Trails has several approaches to Little Roundtop).
- The Page Hill / Glory Hill Conservation Area in Hill has trails for mountain bikes.
To the North
- In Tamworth hike the Big Pines Natural Area & Great Hill Fire Tower.
Chocorua Conservation Lands - The Madison Hiking Trails Map lists 8 paths (Madison Boulder, Pine Barrens etc).
- The Freedom Town Forest on Ossipee Lake Road, is good for birders
- The Green Hills Preserve in Conway has excellent views of the Presidential Range.
To the East and South
- Wolfeboro Hiking Trails include Ellie’s Woodland Walk Knight’s Pond and
Sewall Woods Trail Map - Copple Crown Mountain (Brookfield) has good views of area lakes and ranges.
- In Gilford hike Mount Major and Mount Belknap or other trails in the Belknap Range, or enjoy nature walks at Locke’s Hill (good views of Winnipesaukee) and the Ramblin’ Vewe Farm.
Lakes Region Water Trails (spots to launch your canoe or kayak)
Grafton-Grafton Pond
Moultonborough-Garland Pond
Meredith-Lake Wicwas
Lake Winnipesaukee
Squam Lake
Tuftonboro-Copp’s Pond
New Hampton-Lake Pemigewasset
Links compiled by Jane Rice of the Moultonborough Public Library (used with permission). Some of these maps are also posted by the Lakes Region Conservation Trust.
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