THE CLARKSVILLE FREEDOM TRAIL: The Freedom Trail is the only trail in the North Country that will accommodate people in wheelchairs. It's a limited mobility access trail. This mile-long nature trail traverses wooded land and has several loops including difficulties of grades ranging from easy to intermediate. Located off from Route 145 in Clarksville, on the Bressette Road (just past Chappell Salvage) near Ben Young Hill.
THE COHOS TRAIL: is a long distance hiking trail that starts at Crawford Notch in the 'Whites', traverses through the Kilkenny region, Nash Stream Forest, Gadwah Notch, Dixville Notch and into the Clarksville-Pittsburg lakes and streams area. It's approximately 162 miles in length and goes through some of the most remote territory the North Country has to offer. For more details, visit their website at www.cohostrail.org
THE MONADNOCK TRAIL: The trailhead and parking can be found on Route 102 (Vt.) Take Bridge Street in Colebrook, follow to the end - take right at stop sign - 500' on left park in gravel pit and follow signs to the trail. About a two-hour hike, an old fire tower is situated atop the mountain allowing one to view two states.
DIXVILLE NOTCH: There are many trails accessible in Dixville Notch that will take you to popular places like Huntington Falls, Table Rock, Sanguinary Summit, Panorama Lean-to, The Three Brothers Trail, Dixville Peak, etc... Trailheads are located at the BALSAMS entrance, The Wayside Picnic Area, and at the Baby Flume.
THE FOURTH CONNECTICUT LAKE TRAIL: Tucked into a mountain valley just below the Canadian International Border lies Fourth Connecticut Lake (elevation2,670'). Here in the headwater region of the Connecticut River, water gathers in a small, quiet, pristine 1.8 acre pond rimmed with abundant plants and wildlife. The gentle, gurgling brook flowing from this pond is the beginning of the Connecticut River, New England's greatest and longest river.
The trailhead is located in back of the US Customs building and parking is located across Route 3 from the customs building.
The Fourth Connecticut Lake is also the beginning of the mighty Connecticut River that flows down through 4 states (400+ miles) and empties into the ocean at Long Island Sound, N.Y.
MOUNT MAGALLOWAY: The trailhead is located in Pittsburg... Take Route 3 past 1st Connecticut Lake- take a right onto the Magalloway Road. Stay straight on this dirt road until you see the 'tower' signs ~take a hard right... Follow this road to the end to a grassy parking area. Caution: This is a main logging road and logging trucks have the right of way.
TABLE ROCK (2,540 ft.): This stark protruding cliff is formed of vertical slabs. It is less than 10 feet wide at its narrowest point. The vertical drop from table rock is 700 feet. Use Caution! The view is spectacular! Directions to Table Rock are: Take Route 26 east from Colebrook about 10 miles. Park in the gravel area on the right, about 150 feet prior to reaching the top of Dixville Notch, the trail ascends almost vertically from the parking area. The trail starts almost directly behind the big sign "Entering Dixville Notch State Park." This trail is steep and rocky and should NOT be attempted when wet. The trail is 0.3 miles from the parking area to Table Rock.. The alternate route is accessible from a trail originating on Route 26, 0.2 miles east of the junction of the access road to The Balsams/Wilderness Ski Area and Route 26. Park off the road shoulder in the grassy clearing on the right. The trail starts 70 feet before the yellow caution diamond road sign with the profile of a person. This trail is well marked, with many small signs. The alternate route is the safest way to climb up!
JOHNSON MEMORIAL PARK: (14 miles north of Colebrook, N.H.): Take Route 3 or Route 145 out of Colebrook into the Pittsburg Village...Between the village and the Pittsburg Fire Department, the trail through Johnson Memorial Park goes off to the left at the brown fence. (Signed)... Take the Johoda Trail (2-mile loop). Thanks to the school science students, this trail has all plant life labeled for your educational enjoyment. Bonuses on this trail include the largest white pine tree in Coos County, and an osprey nest and a mowed trail!
THE LAKE FRANCIS TRAIL: (15 miles north of Colebrook, N.H.) Take Route 3 or Route 145 into Pittsburg Village...go another 5 miles or so past Young's Store. Take the River Road on your right until you get to Carr's Ridge Rd. off from the River Road. Just after the bridge, take the first right onto a grassy snowmobile lane. Follow for 3 miles to the Cedar Stream Road. Nice 6-mile view of Lake Francis. This trail is part of the Cohos Trail.
THREE BROTHERS TRAIL AND HUNTINGTON (CASCADE) FALLS TRAIL: (10 miles east of Colebrook, N.H. on Route 26) Take Route 26 east from Colebrook to Dixville Notch State Wayside (on the left, east of the height of land about 0.9 miles). Starts out on the Huntington Falls Trail to the Three Brothers Trail then 3 miles to Table Rock. This trail makes a loop back down to a parking lot across from Lake Gloriette and the Balsams. This is part of the Cohos Trail.
MOUNT SANGUINARY (2,758 FT): Take Route 26 east from Colebrook to the Flume Brook Picnic Area in Dixville Notch State Wayside (on the left, east of the height of land about 0.9 miles). Park here and take a scenic trail through balsam and spruce forest to a spectacular view from a rocky pinnacle overlooking Lake Gloriette and The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel. It is one mile from the picnic area to the overlook and 1.5 miles from the picnic area to The Balsams Hotel road entrance. Some of this is part of the Cohos Trail.
BROUSSEAU MOUNTAIN, Vt.: (2,714 ft) Go west on Route 114 in Averill, Vt., 1.5 miles from Lake View Store. Take a left onto Mountain Road. 1.3 miles down Mountain Road there is a dead end gate. Turn your car around so you don't block anything. About 35 minutes to the top on a well-marked trail At this point there is no view. Take another trail to the right, this leads to a lookout point, about two minutes away. This provides a wide panorama view of the White and Green Mountain ranges. Wildlife is also part of the view.
PINNACLE MOUNTAIN, CANADA (28 miles from the Rest Area on Route 3): Go west on Route 114 to Norton. Go through the customs into Canada. After 0.6 miles turn left towards Stanhope. The road becomes dirt in 1.7 miles, continue. After 3.4 miles on the dirt road, bear left onto May Road. Go 1.9 miles into Baldwin Mills. Park your car in public parking near the store on the right. There are three trail options. Climb the BLUE TRAIL (less grade) at entrance on "L" just before the Stop sign on Allard Street. Or walk along Allard Street to the RED TRAIL on the left at the sign saying "Cul-de-Sac" (steeper). Also try one just off the parking lot at the fishery in Baldwin Mills. This is well marked and follows a creek up to Baldwin Village where you can connect to the Mt. Pinnacle Trail.
HEREFORD MOUNTAIN, CANADA (14.9 miles from the Rest Area on Route 3): Take Route 3 north to VT 253 (7.0 miles). Turn left to Beecher Falls. Proceed through Canadian Customs. Continue to sign Rue Principale (11.8 miles). Turn left onto Rue Principale and go 3.1 miles to the Mount Hereford trail entrance on the left. Look for a large entrance sign that says Sentiers Pedestres and Neil Tillotson in smaller print underneath. The trail is well marked by orange paint or ribbons. The first half of the walk has beautiful flora such a purple fringed orchid. It is 3.5 miles (5.5km) to the summit. From there it is a nice 360-degree view.!
Alternative route: If you'd prefer to drive to the top, From Colebrook, take Rt. 3 to West Stewartstown - turn left after The Spa and stay on this road through town then take a right onto Rt. 141 and proceed through the Canadian Customs. Stay on this road until you see the second sign for St. Hermenegilde...turn right here... Stay on the paved road through the village and keep going until you reach a "T"...take a right and stay on this for about 2 miles or less, the sign will be on your right.
AVERILL MOUNTAIN, Vt. (15.2 miles from the Rest Area on Route 3): Take Route 3 north to West Stewartstown and take a left onto VT Route114S. Proceed to the Averill Lake View Store, 0.5 miles from the store is a small white sign for Averill Mountain. The mountain has a gradual ascent with a vertical rise of 550 feet from the trails starting point. The trail is very well marked and upon reaching the summit, the hiker can see Table Rock in Dixville, N.H., Mt. Washington, and Jay Peak.
GORE MOUNTAIN, Vt. (30.3 miles from the Rest Area on Route 3): Take Route 3 north to West Stewartstown and take a left onto VT Rt. 114S. Continue through the village of Norton for another 9.9 miles. Look for Lake Station Road at the north end of Norton Pond and pull off between that and Devost Road. The trail enters through a small opening on the east side of the road. The hike includes a series of beaver meadows, crossing several brooks and hiking through the edge of an expansive logged-off area. From the summit there are limited views of the Nulhegan Basin. Length of the trail to the summit is 3.8 miles.
BLACK TURN BROOK HIKING TRAIL IN BLACK TURN BROOK STATE FOREST - (21 miles from the Rest Area on Route 3): Take Route 3 north and take a left onto VT Route 114S in West Stewartstown and continue through Norton Village. Drive 5.7 miles from Norton and take a right turn from 114S onto Black Turn Brook Road. Park in the lot as the trail is gated. This Black Turn Brook hiking trail is well worth the hike as rare fauna can be found here. The Lobster Mushroom and the Yellow Lady Slipper are just two of the unusual plants found in this area. At present, the trail is in need of some clearing.
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