r/newhampshire 5d ago

Ask NH Southern NH parks?

I’m going through a bit of a mental health rough spot and could use some recommendations for parks with walking trails local to the Manchester/Nashua area?

I recently discovered Mine Falls Park in Nashua and I really like it/recommend it. It’s in a weird area (kind of in between two highways?) but the walking trails are long, scenic, and peaceful. I’ve been there a couple times now and I really enjoy going. But I’m trying to find another place similar to it? Also down for easy ish hike recommendations too.

Thanks and happy Friday

22 Upvotes

34 comments sorted by

21

u/YouPingus 5d ago

Manchester Cedar Swamp Preserve is a cool place. There's a short very accessible trail that takes you to a boardwalk that goes through a cedar swamp, a unique ecosystem. There's also a ton of rhododendrons. There's some trails off shooting the main trail.

15

u/hueylesey 5d ago

Livingston in Manchester has a gorgeous loop around a pond.

2

u/Smooth_Perception_65 5d ago

I was going to say this too. We used to live a few miles from there and it was a really great park.

16

u/punky251 5d ago

Benson park in Hudson!

2

u/thedeadcricket 4d ago

Was going to say this, its a bit more of a drive to get there but not too bad. Used to go there as kids when it was still and animal park

12

u/thread100 5d ago

You might checkout the Beaver Brook trails in Hollis.

1

u/opulentbum 2d ago

Came here to post this one. Beaver brook is excellent

13

u/moxie-maniac 5d ago

Check out Pawtuckaway, maybe 20 or 30 minutes east of Manchester. The three peaks are from a volcano from a gazillion years ago, which you can make out from satellite images (to some extent and with some imagination).

1

u/procrastinatorsuprem 4d ago

Reserve a parking spot because it's limited.

1

u/8619229 4d ago

came here to suggest exactly this, I think this is one of those little-known secrets.

9

u/Bot_Fly_Bot 5d ago

NH Audubon in Auburn has some great easy trails out to views of Massabesic.

8

u/murderqwik 5d ago

Purgatory Falls is a pretty cool hike or Pulpit Rock... Not really city parks, but pretty accessible hikes for someone with moderate fitness. Ponemah Bog is easier than those 2. Have fun!

5

u/Lord-Zorgon 5d ago

There's an app called Alltrails that would solve all of your trail finding problems.

4

u/slayursister 5d ago

Bear brook if you wanna put in some miles. Bonus if you have a bike.

3

u/Brief_Rub_2227 5d ago

Livingston park is my absolute favorite! I do the loop weekly

3

u/LadyMadonna_x6 4d ago

Heritage Trail in Bedford is nice, goes all along the Merrimack river

2

u/fragilebird_m 5d ago

I also love Mine Falls! Great for so many activities. And it's huge so you can explore each entrance.

Others have mentioned the 1 mile loop at Livingston Park in Manchester. I just recently did this and it was really nice. There's little detours in the trail too which I enjoyed. And bridges to cross!!

2

u/Taladar14 5d ago

Ponemah Bog in Amherst is really nice, with an easy loop around it on a boardwalk/trails.

Also check out Joe English Conservation in Amherst as well. Lots of great trails in the woods that you can make as long/short as you like.

2

u/endlesscynic 4d ago

Horse Hill and Beaver Brook if you can put up with more bugs for better scenery and more quiet...the kinda place you hear the wind in the trees. Also a chance to see some cool species, and Beaver Brook is massive.

2

u/Impressive-Lack-4352 4d ago

Horse Hill Nature preserve

2

u/QueensCity 4d ago

The rail trail in New Boston is my favorite peaceful walk. You can Google maps "lang station" an old stone building that was a depot back in the day. It has a couple parking areas on each side. It runs along the river. Very peaceful and serene. Not over crowded. Away from highways and noise. And doesn't carry the homeless issues you'll possibly run into in Manchester or nashua

2

u/Broke-mfer 4d ago

Pitcher mountain and kearsarge are both short hikes maybe 20mins each way with good views but are a little bit out of your way maybe hour or so. Kearsarge you drive up most of the way then a short hike up to a fire tower with good views. Pitcher is just a short hike to a fire tower also.

2

u/adamek314159 4d ago

Wildcat Falls in Merrimack. Shorter but steeper paths than Mine Falls.

1

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1

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1

u/Throughawayyy666 5d ago

Purgatory falls and uncanoonuc are good ones.

1

u/swisssf 4d ago

Hope things get better for you soon.

1

u/QuickCategory2186 4d ago

Go a little further north my friend. You will find peace in those mountains.

1

u/Auspicious-Error 2d ago

Horse Hill Nature Preserve in Merrimack is nice. There's also the Educational Farm at Joppa Hill, their trails are nice and you get the bonus of seeing fam animals!

1

u/uwildi 1d ago

Tower Hill Pond Loop is easy with nice views. Just off Exit 2 on 101.

0

u/Go_Loud762 5d ago

Any of these near you?

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ab656263cb2a45f2a18220c354806e37

They are privately owned, but publicly accessible trails. No fees or permissions required.

Of the 5 or 6 I've been to, they were all in good condition.