Summer vacation is here! Adventure awaits. We know when kids are in tow, things like easy parking, accessibility, and interesting destinations can make a big difference for a fun day in nature. We’ve made a list of local, family-friendly hikes on properties protected by PLC that fit the bill for outings with young naturalists.
Mary’s Trail – Brookline, NH: Mary’s Trail, a loop off the Potanipo Rail Trail, meanders along the Nissitissit River – a tributary of the Nashua River that received federal designation as a Wild & Scenic River in 2019 for its natural, recreational, scenic, historic, and cultural significance. Mary’s Trail is the result of a years-long Brookline Conservation Commission project. The trail features a new parking area conveniently located on Route 13, wide and well-marked paths, and easy grades suitable for a carriage or wheelchair. Our favorite thing? The platforms overlooking the river! Listen to the rushing waters of the Nissitissit, watch fish jump in swirling pools, and observe ducks and other wetland birds enjoying life on the water.
Burke Family Wildlife Sanctuary– Deering, NH: Looking for a quick jaunt? The Blue Diamond Loop Trail clocks in at an easy .35 miles and wanders through a rich, open forest on this 59-acre property owned and protected by PLC. The loop leads out to a large marsh – a great place to stop for a minute to observe birds, insects, and other marshland inhabitants.
Alan and Edgar Rice Nature Preserve – Lyndeborough, NH: We know that sometimes children like to have a destination in mind while adventuring in the woods. If you’re seeking a showstopper we recommend Senter Falls at the Alan & Edgar Rice Preserve in Lyndeborough – the falls are simply stunning. It’s a perfect spot to visit on a hot day – the dense hemlock forest provides deep shade along the banks of Cold Brook. Be aware that this property does have steep sections and slippery rocks, so it wouldn’t be suitable for carriages or younger children on foot.
Pulpit Rock Conservation Area – Bedford, NH: Recently featured in the book 50 Hike for Kids: New England by Wendy Gorton, Pulpit Rock Conservation Area offers a variety of trails leading to the popular and iconic Pulpit Rock. The Kennard Trail is a low-key .6 mile hike that leads straight to the viewing area of The Pulpit, and is easily accessed from the New Boston Road parking area. Pulpit Rock was formed around 14,000 years ago during the Pleistocene Age by massive glaciers, and this trip provides a great learning opportunity for those interested in geology. Check out Richard Moore’s article on the geological history of Pulpit Rock for some interesting facts!
Hobart-Fessenden Woods – Brookline, NH: This property features wide, well-maintained trails, great parking, a shaded picnic table near Cider Mill Pond for lunch, and a quick and easy hike to a Great Blue Heron rookery. Take the Cider Mill Trail to the Sargent Trail for access to Pout Pond – from there you will see huge Great Blue Heron nests, and if you make it before this year’s chicks have fledged, you may see the young herons waiting for Mom or Dad to bring them dinner!
More Summer Fun Tips:
- Our friends at the Harris Center for Conservation Education and Beaver Brook Association offer fantastic, nature-based educational programs and camps for youth. Check out their calendars!
- Tick populations are active and on-the-rise – for the latest information on protecting yourself and your children from blood-borne illnesses check out Tick Free NH https://tickfreenh.org/
- If you’d like to become nature detectives and help biologists in this state with their research by reporting plant and animal sightings, check out these opportunities!
