Hiking and Biking Near Enfield Shaker Museum
The Great Stone Dwelling is at the center of some amazing trails for hikers and bikers, as well as bird watchers–more of those “unexpected discoveries” in the Upper Valley.
Hiking
Lower Shaker Wildlife Management Area is directly across Route 4A from Enfield Shaker Museum. A wonderful network of trails and wood roads (about 8.2 miles) interconnect across Shaker Mountain on about 1,100 acres managed by the NH Fish and Game Department. Public recreation is welcome, but trails are not maintained for recreational purposes. It is possible to follow the old Shaker canal beginning at the small holding pond on the Museum’s property all the way up to Shaker Pond at the top of Shaker Mountain (about 2 miles). Trail map available.
Smith Pond Shaker Forest consists of 995 acres of forest and wetlands in Enfield owned by the Upper Valley Land Trust located between two State Wildlife Management Areas. The pubic is welcome to explore five miles of trails, with two access points. You can start your hike from the trailhead parking on Route 4A in Enfield, about 1.1 miles south of the Museum, or from the parking area on Smith Pond Road in Enfield, via exit 15 on I-89, about 9.6 miles (15 minutes) from the Museum.
Northern Rail Trail can be accessed 1.4 miles (3 minutes) from the Museum at Lakeside Park at 194 Main Street in Enfield, NH. The trail is nearly flat for about about 59 miles from Lebanon, New Hampshire, in the Mascoma River Valley, passing though historic villages and by scenic lakes, streams, and hills along the old railroad bed of the Boston & Maine Railroad Northern Line, until it reaches Boscawen, a few miles North of Concord.
Cole Pond Trail is 5.8 miles (11 minutes) from the Museum off Bog Road in Enfield, NH. Cole Pond Trail provides access to the 17-acre coldwater Cole Pond with average depth of 26 feet and maximum depth of 59 feet; inhabited by eastern brook trout and is also a great swimming spot. Managed by the NH Fish and Game Department and open to the public. Trail map available.
Bicknell Brook Loop Trail & Colette Trail is located about 5.8 miles (10 minutes) from the Museum on Grafton Pond Road in Enfield, NH. A gentle, easy trail that follows Bicknell Brook and ends at a point overlooking Crystal Lake. From cascading waterfalls to open beaver wetlands to climax forest to a lake environment, these trails offer a wide range of habitat diversity. Well blazed with boardwalks, bridges, and stairs where needed. Owned by the Upper Valley Land Trust; the public is welcome.
Appalachian Trail: The A.T. enters Hanover from Vermont over the Ledyard Bridge, is blazed down Main Street, passes the Dartmouth athletic fields behind the Mobil station on Route 120, and exits Hanover at Goose Pond Road. The A.T.’s first stop in New Hampshire is a relatively easy hike, taking you through flatter portions of state. Strenuous over Velvet Rocks (with a fixed rope at one spot between trails 7 and 65) and Moose Mountain; otherwise moderate to easy. You’ll pass through grasslands and gorgeous birch forests and get a great taste of the Appalachian Trail. Parking is available at a new trailhead & kiosk on Trescott Road, directly across from Partridge Lane, or at the Appalachian Trail parking area on Trescott Road; both are about 9.5 miles (17 minutes) from the Museum.
Eastman’s Northern Trails are 17.4 miles (21 minutes) from the Museum in Grantham, NH. There are six separate trails–easy, moderate, and strenuous–that can be explored year round. Snowshoes are advisable in the winter. The trails are owned by the Eastman Community Association. Parking permits are required to park at trail heads within the community. Free parking permits and restrooms are available at The Center on Club House Lane off Greensward Drive. Trail map available.
Queechee Gorge is 18.6 miles (28 minutes) from the Museum, on Vermont Route 4 in Hartford, VT. Queechee Gorge is Vermont’s deepest gorge, formed by glacial activity approximately 13,000 years ago. Visitors can look down at the Ottauquechee River flowing 165 feet below and then hike down (.4 mile) into the gorge itself.
The Trail Finder on the Upper Vallry Trails Alliance website is the most comprehensive trails database in Vermont and New Hampshire. Use this link to discover other hiking opportunities in the area.
Biking
Drummond Cycles is located behind the Great Stone Dwelling. Dick Drummond and his staff offer a full range of bicycle repair, build, and rebuild services, including routine adjustments. They specialize in bike fit, combining some of the best fitting technology available with years of fit experience and knowledge of biomechanics. A full range of gloves, clothing, and other gear is available on site.
Northern Rail Trail, can be accessed 1.4 miles (3 minutes) from the Museum at Lakeside Park at 194 Main Street in Enfield, NH. The trail is nearly flat for about 59 miles from Lebanon, New Hampshire, in the Mascoma River Valley, passing though historic villages and by scenic lakes, streams, and hills along the old railroad bed of the Boston & Maine Railroad Northern Line, until it reaches Boscawen, a few miles North of Concord.
Upper Valley Mountain Bike Association maintains and expands access to multi-use, non-motorized trails in the Upper Valley of NH and VT. Here is a map of the Landmark/Boston Lot trail network in nearby Lebanon, NH. Access the network 8.6 miles (16 minutes) from the Museum at 287 Mascoma Street, Lebanon, NH.
Hanover Adventure Tours is located 20 miles (29 minutes) from the Museum at 713 Route 5 North, Norwich, VT. Hanover Adventure Tours (HAT) is the Upper Valley’s premier source of adventure experiences. Take an electric bike rental out for a ride and explore New England! We offer over 15 models to try from, including sleek road bikes and decked out mountain bikes, as well as one-size-fits-all cruisers. Curious about what an e-bike is? E-biking is a great way to get around, and its double the fun!
Bird Watching
Lower Shaker Wildlife Management Area is directly across Route 4A from Enfield Shaker Museum. A wonderful network of trails and wood roads (about 8.2 miles) interconnect across Shaker Mountain on about 1,100 acres managed by the NH Fish and Game Department. Public recreation is welcome, but trails are not maintained for recreational purposes. Particularly good during spring migration. Trail map available.
Northern Rail Trail can be accessed 1.4 miles (3 minutes) from the Museum at Lakeside Park at 194 Main Street in Enfield, NH. The trail is nearly flat for about about 59 miles from Lebanon, New Hampshire, in the Mascoma River Valley, passing though historic villages and by scenic lakes, streams, and hills along the old railroad bed of the Boston & Maine Railroad Northern Line, until it reaches Boscawen, a few miles North of Concord. Particularly good during spring migration.
Balch Hill Natural Area is 11.2 miles (20 minutes) from the Museum at the junction of Grasse and Trescott Roads in Hanover, NH. The Balch Hill Natural Area is a favorite of Hanover residents for its great views, picnicking, walking, and bird watching. Eight trails provide easy to moderate routes to the 937-foot summit. From the Dartmouth College Green, proceed 1.6 miles on East Wheelock Street to parking at junction of Grasse and Trescott Roads.
Boston Lot is located 12.6 miles (19 minutes) from the Museum at 188 North Main Street in West Lebanon, NH. A forested upland area with 7+ miles of trails, rated 3-4 Moderate Difficulty. Trails on 439 acres circle Boston Lot Lake, climb Burnt Mountain, loop around Honeysuckle Hill, and connect to the power lines. Parking is available at the picnic area on the east side of NH 10 just north of Wilder Dam.
Mink Brook Nature Preserve is 12.5 miles (21 minutes) from the Museum at 16 Brook Road in Hanover, NH. This 112-acre preserve protects habitat for wild brook trout, bears, and many other creatures while offering trails and quiet enjoyment of a peaceful place. From the Dartmouth College Green, follow Route 10 south for 0.5 miles to Brook Road. Turn left onto Brook Road and proceed for 0.1 miles. Parking is available on the right.
Pine Park, is located 12.7 miles (22 minutes) from the Museum, just past Hilton Field Road on Rope Ferry Road in Hanover, NH. Pine Park is the oldest conservation area in Hanover. On its 93 acres there are several lovely trails open to the public, but not maintained. They run near the Hanover Country Club in Hanover, along the Connecticut River and Girl Brook. The new main entrance is located at the north end of Rope Ferry Road, with three other entrances on Lyme Road (Route 10).