Marjory Swope Park Trail
One of Concord’s newest trails, the Marjory Swope Park Trail starts at a trailhead/parking area on Long Pond Road, just before the reservoir. Take the blue path to circumnavigate the rise without too much straight uphill hiking. You’ll get a great view of Penacook Lake from one of the vistas. Take a turn onto the yellow trail and then hop on the orange to see the mysterious Gilfillan Rock and get a view of Pats Peak, Mt. Monadnock and Crotched Mountain. Yellow and orange get pretty steep at times; it will be a workout! You can backtrack or complete the loop to get back to the parking area.
Contoocook River Park Trail
You’ll find the beginning of this trail on Electric Avenue in Penacook. Follow the dirt road (believe it or not, you’re walking along a set of old trolley tracks, which led to the Contoocook River Amusement Park way back at the turn of the 20th century) and then take a right into the woods. You’ll find a spiderwebbing set of trails that all dump you out along the Contoocook.
Follow the path of the river left to a dam with a widow’s walk-like observation area, which affords you a nice view of the rapids. Right, you’ll find a nice, easy path descending to river’s edge. Depending on how you loop it, you can make this hike up to 2 miles in length.
Merrimack River Outdoor Education
and Preservation Area
This trail, maintained by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, is an easy, virtually flat hike that takes you along the banks of the mighty Merrimack River. You can’t miss the trailhead and parking area on Portsmouth Street. Gates open at dawn, which is a great time to set out into the flood plain. You’ll be surrounded by pine forests one minute and lush greenery the next (and mosquitos at all times) as you traverse this 1.5-mile hike. The riverbanks, which at one time rose dramatically along the water’s edge, have eroded over time, giving way to some sandy, beachlike areas. SPNHF is able to preserve and maintain the area thanks to funding by donors like Northeast Delta Dental, which is why you’ll see plenty of kiosks, trail markers and benches along your route. This is perfect for a quick circuit or a lazy day of wandering.
Trail etiquette
∎ Carry in, carry out – that means litter, dog waste and toddlers alike!
∎ No French kissin’ (unless you’re really in love!)
∎ Don’t get into fights on the flood plain.
∎ Don’t smoke cigarettes in the woods – duh!
∎ Chill. Enjoy it. Be at peace with nature.
∎ Pick a time when you think the trails will be sparsely populated.
Your favorite trails
I am loving that new Marjory Swope Park Trail. Perfect lunch time hike that my 4-year-old can do with a gorgeous view of Penacook Lake. I also enjoy the Oak Hill fire tower trails. But, because I do not dare to climb the fire tower, the views are lacking.
Michele Colby Horne
Exit 17 trail next to railroad tracks opens up to a cliff-like drop to the Merrimack River. Don’t tell anyone – it’s a quiet spot.
Denis Lewis
(via facebook!)
I still run up to the quarries!!
Barb Higgins
Sewalls Falls trails.
Cathy Frankel
Where do YOU like to hike? Let us know at news@theconcordinsider.com and we may publish your suggestion in an upcoming issue. Thanks!
