I was driving along the coast and I saw a patch of conservation land owned by SELT (Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire). I have seen this name before. One with the Awcoming Marsh and group of trails associated Stratham Hill Park. I went to the SELT website and found a group of additional trails. The web site is https://seltnh.org/trails/ . There are handouts that are printable or you can just read them. In the handouts there are trails which described the trail. The trails are from easy to moderate challenge, and all have a view. There are enough trails that will keep you busy.
Tag: Trail
Newington Town Woods
When one mentions Newington NH, one thinks of shopping malls and commercial land of restaurants and businesses. When one explores the town, you find an incredible wealth of conservation land. I visited the historic area. There was a few buildings that were built in the early 1800’s and late 1700’s. None was open because of the pandemic. The road to get there is Nimble Hill road.
I did find a nice surprise. There was a trail that takes you through the United States oldest woods. To be an afficial woods, it has to be over a certain acreage. When it was registered in the early 1800’s, the size met the requirement. For a while during the cold war, the United states annex some of the woods to be part of Pease Air Force Base. When Pease closed, the land was given back to Newington.
I parked my car close to the start of the trail. The trail was wide and well taken care of. To the left of me was private property. To the right was woods where there was periodic offshoot trails. Continue on and you reach Arboritom Road which takes you to another trail upkeeped by the Fedderal Park system. I will talk about that in another entry.
I went back to the car after having a good walk. A good web site to read prior to walking this trail is Newington Center Historic District, Newington Town, Rockingham County, Newington, NH, 03801 (livingplaces.com) This also descibes the other boildings of the historic district.
Walk in North Hampton Woods -Carroll M. Fogg Conservation area
Drive along Mill Road from Rye, you will see on the left a sign reading Carroll M. Fogg Conservation area. I miss the sign whenever I drive from Hampton. It is a small entrance with enough parking for about 3 cars. Park there and you will see a trail that I could not find on the internet or any other listing.
Stop there and there is a trail that is a beautiful walk. It is not a long walk, but long enough to take a good walk with kids and a dog. The trail is flat enough to take a bike ride, but it may not be long enough. It is a perfect walk to relax your mind after a hard day at work or home. The trail is scenic to be able to clear your mind. Here are some pictures.
Clay Brook Forest trail
This is one of the most beautiful short trails (app 1 to 2 miles) that I’ve been on. To get to the beginning of the trail is amazing. You pass by huge obscene mansions. From Hampton center you go on Exeter road. Take the first left on Towle Farm road and go to the end. Take a right on Brown road. Take the next right on Old stage road. Continue on that road and take a left on Toppan road. It is the last left. If you miss it, you will see the covered walking bridge. On Toppan road, you will find the beginning of the trail. There is plenty of parking.
Follow the trail. After about a quarter on a mile, you will be following the Taylor river. I enjoyed observing the river with the animals that live from it. I saw an otter and trees that were downed by a beaver. I understand that if you observe closer, that you will find an abundance of wildlife.
Following the trail, you will find offshoots of the main trail. There is a trail that takes you through the Hurd farm conservation land which has its own trails for recreation. The Hurd farm is open land for hiking, cross country skiing and other sources of outdoor recreation.
There are a couple of web sites that you can find further information. They are https://www.hamptonfalls.org/sites/hamptonfallsnh/files/uploads/clay_brook_forest_flyer-r2.pdf and https://forestsociety.org/project/clay-brook-forest. This trail is definitely worthwhile to take a short scenic walk.
Adventures in Hampton NH 