Things to do
Hiking
A few trails start right at the cottage; others are a short drive away.
Belknap Range trail map
Most of these routes cross the Belknap Range - see the official trail map from Belknap Range Trail Tenders for the full network of connecting trails.
Routes
Route thumbnails use map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
More hikes nearby
Local trails we don't have a recorded route for yet - each a short drive from the cottage.
Mount Major
Alton, NH
The classic Lakes Region climb - 1.5 miles up the blue-blazed Mount Major Trail, about 1,150 feet of climbing, to an open summit with sweeping views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the stone ruins of Phippen's Hut. The Brook Trail is a gentler alternative when the upper ledges are wet or icy. Expect company on nice weekends.
Forest Society: Mount Major →Where to park
Mount Major Trailhead · Route 11, Alton
Free. The lot fills early on summer and fall-foliage weekends, when overflow parks along Route 11. Portable toilets at the lot.
Directions from the cottage → about 25 min drive
Morse Preserve
Alton, NH
A short climb - about 1.7 miles round trip - through the Forest Society's Morse Preserve to open ledges looking out over the Belknap Range, Mount Major, and Lake Winnipesaukee. Wild blueberries ripen mid-July to early August. More trails wind through the Alton Town Forest on the parking-lot side of the road.
Forest Society: Morse Preserve →Where to park
Alton Town Forest lot · Avery Hill Rd, Alton
Free. Room for about a dozen cars. For the Morse Preserve, cross Avery Hill Rd and walk about 200 ft to the preserve sign. No restrooms.
Directions from the cottage → about 25 min drive
Blue Job Mountain
Strafford, NH
Two short trails from the same lot climb to an open summit with a steel fire tower. Blueberry bushes cover the ledges in summer.
Where to park
Blue Job Mountain parking area · First Crown Point Rd, Strafford
Free. Make sure you're on First Crown Point Rd - Crown Point Rd and Second Crown Point Rd are separate roads nearby. No restrooms.
Directions from the cottage → about 35 min drive
Parker Mountain
Strafford, NH
The Spencer Smith Trail climbs about a mile through the Strafford Town Forest to Parker Mountain's wooded summit, with viewpoints further along the ridge. The Link and Neil Mooers trails make it a loop of roughly three miles.
Strafford Town Forest trail map →Where to park
Parker Mountain Trailhead · Parker Mountain Rd (Route 126), Strafford
Free. Start of the Spencer Smith Trail. No restrooms.
Directions from the cottage → about 20 min drive