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UVLT Trails
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Unless otherwise noted, trails are available for pedestrian uses only (hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing). Many of these trails cross privately owned, conserved land belonging to landowners who have generously granted public access. Please respect their generosity by following the Trail Use Guidelines below.
Please note: The recent Nor'easter left considerable damage in the woods, including trees blocking trails and hazardous "leaners" and "widow makers." Trail users should exercise extreme caution until clean up has been completed.
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Click on a trail for a description & directions
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VERMONT:
Bradford, VT
Wright's Mtn Trails
Hartland, VT
Cobb Hill Ski Trail
Newbury, VT:
Sleepers Meadow
Norwich, VT
Cossingham Road Farm Ski Trails
Milton Frye Nature Area
Hazen Trail (Norwich & Wilder)
Royalton & Sharon, VT
Rikert's Broad Brook Trail,
Strafford, VT
Coburn Trail
Thetford, VT
Bill Hill
Vershire, VT
Sally Drew Trail
Wilder, VT
Hazen Trail (Norwich & Wilder)
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Trail Use Guidelines
• Carry out what you carry in.
• Stay on the trail and use only designated trailhead parking areas.
• Stay off trails during spring melt, when soils are soft and easily eroded.
• Be respectful of other trail users and be courteous to trail neighbors.
• Control your dog(s). Do not allow dogs to disturb livestock, wildlife, or sensitive natural areas. Pets are not allowed on some trails.
• Close farm gates behind you.
• For your safety during hunting seasons, wear blaze orange.
• Follow Leave No Trace guidelines.
While these trails are available for community use free of charge,
their maintenance depends on the good stewardship and financial support of users.
Please consider supporting UVLT's trails program by
making a membership gift to the Upper Valley Land Trust.
Please contact UVLT Vice President Stewardship Pete Helm (603-643-6626)
to report trail maintenance needs or recommendations.
A series of three interconnected looped trails lead from this historic farm and former post office through rolling pastures and upland forests, providing wonderful views of the Connecticut River valley and the White Mountains.
Bailey's Eddy,
Newbury
This trail is closed until further notice.The Baileys Eddy site is currently inaccessible by farm road because the State of Vermont has posted the railroad corridor against trespass. UVLT respects private property rights. If you have issues with the State of Vermont posting state-owned land, consider calling your local legislative representatives.
Wright's Mountain Trails,
Bradford
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With an elevation of 1822 feet, Wright's Mountain is Bradford's highest peak. A network of 3.5 miles of footpaths and logging roads connect between trailhead parking areas on both Chase Hollow Road and Wright's Mountain Road, providing for several recreational trail options.
Sally Drew Trail,
Vershire
This trail leads through hardwood forests to the peak of Patterson Mountain, one of the highest points in Vershire, where you can observe the patchwork of land use patterns typical of the Upper Valley and views of the White Mountains.
Directions: From Route 113 in Vershire, pass the town offices at the far end of the village and turn left on Vershire Center Road, following signs to the Mountain School. Go up the hill and turn left at the “T”. After passing the Mountain School on the left, continue about 1/4 mile and turn right into a private driveway. Trailhead parking will be on your left.
Coburn Trail,
Strafford
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Leading from the Justin Morrill Homestead, this trail follows a farm road and skirts along rock walls to a hillside overlook at Coburn Farm, providing views of the historic Stafford Village and the surrounding Ompompanoosuc River Valley.
Directions: From Route 132 in South Strafford follow signs to the Justin Morrill Homestead in Strafford Village. Enter the homestead driveway and park to your left. The trail begins across the brook, upslope to your left.
Bill Hill Trail,
Thetford
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A ½-mile footpath skirts pastures rimmed with stonewalls as it brings you up a moderately steep slope to the top of Bill Hill. This hilltop is a wonderful place to have a picnic and view the surrounding Thetford Center countryside.
Clay Brook Trail,
Lyme
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Three miles of trail extend from the Lyme Town Forest trails west to Route 10, and from Route 10 onwards to Breck HIll Road. A trailhead parking area on Route 10 provides a jumping off point for hikers to go in either direction, as well as easy access to the rich riparian habitat of Clay Brook for birdwatchers. On the east side of Route 10, the trail climbs, steeply in places, to the Town Forest, while on the west side of Route 10 it follows gentle terrain.
NOTICE: Trail Temporarily Closed east of Route 10. The section of trail that connects to Lyme Town Forest trails is currently closed for maintenance purposes.
Trout Pond,
Lyme
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This trail passes through mature northern hardwood forests and occasional pockets of softwoods to the shoreline of awe-inspiring Trout Pond. The 383-acre Trout Pond Forest has an abundance of wildlife including otter, bear, and beaver and is owned and managed by the Town of Lyme.
Grant Brook Trail,
Lyme
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Grant Brook falls 2500 feet from its source on Smarts Mountain through the villages of Lyme Center and Lyme, delivering run-off gathered from its 10 square mile watershed to the Connecticut River. Three trail segments run for approximately 5 miles between Lyme Center and the river, skirting along rock walls and pastures and with wonderful views of surrounding hills, following the brook through forests and beaver meadows, crossing Route 10 and continuing through mixed hardwood forests and open fields.
Rikert's Broad Brook Trail & Veteran's Memorial, Royalton & Sharon
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This trail skirts the edge of an open meadow, follows the upper bank of the Broad Brook ravine and then descends to the peaceful banks of the stream. A great place to enjoy bird watching and relax. This stream-side trail will soon include a war veterans memorial.
Mink Brook Nature Preserve,
Hanover
Wildlife abound in this 112-acre forested preserve. Owned and managed by the Hanover Conservation Council, this scenic property has several well established recreational trails connecting the Mink Brook Nature Preserve (MBNP) to other Hanover conservation lands including the Tanzi Natural Area and Mink Brook Natural Areas.
Wheelock Trail: The 1¼ mile- long Wheelock Trail starts on Upper Valley Land Trust property on Buck Road and traverses the MBNP, on moderate terrain along the bank of Mink Brook. The trail follows the cascading stream past old mill remnants and large boulders to quieter waters as you near Route 10.
Directions: On Route 120, roughly midway between the light for the north entrance to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Memorial Hospital and the light for Greensboro Road, turn west onto Buck Road (across from the town garage). Go 0.3 mile down Buck Road, where there is a small parking area adjacent to a metal gate at a sharp turn. Alternatively, park at the Quinn Trail trailhead (see below).
Quinn Trail: A well established ¾ mile trail follows a sewer line corridor, providing easy walking along the beautiful stream-side habitat of Mink Brook. Several bird species visit this wonderful mix of meadow, shrubs and forested land. From the MBNP property continue west onto the Tanzi Tract where you can hike through to Route 120 or loop back to Brook Road.
Directions: From downtown Hanover, go south on Route 10 approximately ½ mile and turn left onto Brook Road. Limited parking is located on your right in ¼ mile next to the trailhead gate at the Thompson Road intersection.
Cossingham Road Farm Trails,
Norwich
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The trails at Cossingham Road Farm in Norwich, Vermont take visitors through open fields and managed forests. Here, traditional outdoor recreation is the name of the game, with the Appalachian Trail a stone's throw away and 6 kilometers of trails designed for cross-country skiing. Hikers are welcome on a portion of these trails during the non-snow season. Covering moderate terrain with a few steep areas, the trails were designed and built by John Morton of Morton Outdoors and forester Greg Chase.
Milton Frye Nature Area,
Norwich
Located adjacent to Marion Cross School, this 36-acre town owned property has a network of trails made up of a series of loops and connectors. These gently sloped trails travel through a mixed forest of mature hemlock and sugar maple and pass by several rocky outcroppings. The property is a great resource for outdoor education and an enjoyable place to hike or ski. Educational signs along some of the paths provide information about trees, birds, and other wildlife that live here.
Directions: At the east end of the Norwich green and opposite the Norwich Historical Society, turn into the driveway that leads to the Marion Cross School. Turn right into the first parking lot. Begin your hike at the far end of this lot. A short distance along the trail you will find a trailhead kiosk.
Hazen Trail,
Norwich & Wilder
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Running from Route 5 in Wilder to Montshire Road in Norwich, this scenic 1.5-mile trail passes through a diversity of conserved forest and farmland, and connects to trails on Montshire Museum property. There is an abundance of wildflowers throughout the growing season, and rock ledges provide great locations for exploring the valley’s geologic history. No dogs are allowed on the Museum property.
True's Ledges,
Lebanon
Located just a few miles away from the hustle and bustle of the West Lebanon shopping malls, this enchanting City-owned stream-side property features the True's Brook swimming hole. Gently sloped trails provide access to several overlooks where you can view a series of small yet stunning waterfalls and clear pools that flow through the ravine below. The brook itself is reached by a very steep, rocky path. Taking a dip in these cold to cool waters is always refreshing – especially on a hot sunny day. Please keep the area clean so other visitors can enjoy this special place.
Directions: From the 12A shopping area in West Lebanon, go south approximately 1.5 miles, passing the gravel and asphalt plants on your left. Turn left onto True's Brook Road and go 0.6 miles. Pull off on the right just before the bridge crossing True's Brook. (Note that parking is very limited, and the road is windy on its approach to the bridge, so pull off the road onto the shoulder as possible. Alternatively, use the small road side pull off back at mile 0.5).
Bicknell Brook Loop Trail
& Colette Trail, Enfield
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From Grafton Pond Road, the Bicknell Brook Loop Trail trail follows Bicknell Brook downstream, past a series of waterfalls and through diverse landscapes ranging from beaver meadows and wetlands to mature forests of spruce, hemlock, and balsam. Along the way it connects with the Colette Trail, established as a memorial to a young woman with a great love of the outdoors, which leads to the brook's outlet at Crystal Lake.
Bear Pond Natural Area,
Canaan
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The 60-acre Bear Pond and its quaking bog, 1100 feet of Mascoma River frontage, much of the east shore of Little Goose Pond, and two smaller beaver ponds are some of the special features on this 932-acre conserved property owned and managed by the Mascoma Watershed Conservation Council. Two trailhead parking locations provide access to several year round trails for hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. Accessing the bog area is recommended for winter access only due to its sensitivity to damage.
Directions: From Enfield travel east on Route 4 towards Canaan, passing by the Mascoma Valley Regional High School on the left. Turn left onto Goose Pond Road and go 1.75 miles to the trailhead parking area for the Audubon Trail, on the right just before the bridge over Goose Pond Brook. A second trailhead for the Sweet Water Trail can be accessed by continuing east on Route 4 to Switch Road (2.4 miles past Goose Pond Road). Turn left and go 1.6 miles, then turn left down a narrow gravel lane located 50 yards south of a sign for Bull Road. Park close to the bridge over the Mascoma River. The Sweet Water Trail provides access to other trails within the interior of this property known as Leo's Loop and Sawyer Hill Trail.
French's Ledges Trail,
Meriden
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The French's Ledges Trail is part of a trail network built by property owner and local trail enthusiast, Ira Townsend, providing great opportunities for hiking, biking or skiing through the Townsends' conserved property and adjacent lands. For a fabulous 360-degree view and picnic spot high above the surrounding terrain, continue along this 1.6-mile red blazed trail to the bald top of French's Ledges where you can take in the spectacular views of Croydon and Grantham Mountains, Mt. Ascutney, and the village of Meriden.
Farnum Trails,
Meriden
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A series of non-motorized multi-use trail loops cross this 78-acre Town Forest, leading from a Mt. Ascutney vista to an active beaver meadow and connecting with other community trails and conserved lands.
Moulton Trail and Cole Brook Trail,
Meriden
Connecting Plainfield’s Cram Hill Road to the Benson Town Forest and leading to trails at the Helen Woodruff Smith Bird Sanctuary, these trails form a great recreational corridor for the village of Meriden. As you travel through a diversity of upland and stream-side habitats, keep your eyes open for the deer and moose that frequent this area.
Directions: From the flashing light at Route 120 and Main Street in Meriden, head west uphill past Kimball Union Academy to the Helen Woodruff Smith Bird Sanctuary on your right. Park just ahead at the Meriden Town Hall. The Sanctuary trails will direct you to the Moulton Trail. After approximately 1.5 miles, a left turn will connect to the Cole Brook Trail. To start from Cole Brook Trail, pass the Town Hall and take the first right onto High Street. Continue to the end of the maintained road where you will see a pull-off. Walk up Cram Hill Road (an unmaintained Class VI road) to the Cole Brook Trail sign on your right.
Cobb Hill Trail,
Hartland
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The year-round trails at Cobb Hill Farm feature agricultural fields, open pasture, active sugarbush, and mature forest. A visit provides an opportunity to observe a working farm reminiscent of those found in early New England. From the upper pastures there are excellent views across the Connecticut River Valley. Groomed ski trails, both flatland and challenging, steeper routes, are part of a network of over 23 kilometers of trails maintained by the Hartland Winter Trails association.
We will be adding more public trails to this list in the future.
Please visit us again!
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