The best hiking near Concord you never heard of .....
Google Fox State Forest and all you get is complaints! Mostly - “I tried but could not find it!” Those who do find it love the old growth pines, bogs, fire tower, and stone walls. And no crowds, too. To get there, just take Rt 9 WEST to the 1st Hillsborough exit, and head a few miles up Old Rt. 9 to the stop light where 149 meets the road in downtown Hillsborough. Turn right to Hillsborough Center/Fox Forest. Follow the road until you see the main entry point on the right.
Fox Forest was a gift to the State of New Hampshire by Caroline A. Fox back in 1932 with the idea of maintaining a research and demonstration center in Hillsborough. The Fox Forest Trust still funds demonstrations of proper scientific forestry, applied forest research, and programs on natural resource management. And they keepsthe forest open for hiking.
The forest is a huge 1,445 acres, including the Henry I. Baldwin Forestry Education Center and an historic farm house. There is a marked trail system of 22 miles that welcome hikers, cross-country skiers, snow-shoers, and mountain bikers.
Trails include: Ridge Trail, Swamp Trail, Molly J. Swamp Trail, Bible Hill Road, Rabbit Trail, Fisher Cat Trail, Tree Identification Trail, Valley Road, Concord End Road, Gould Pond Road, Mud Pond Road, and the Mud Pond Trail.
Ridge Trail follows high ground in two loops - one on the east and one on the west side of Center Road at the Fox HQ - and encircle the whole forest.
Mud Pond Trail leads to a 50-acre floating bog. Includes the Virgin Forest - an old growth forest- i a beaver pond and the Simm Boardwalk on the Mud Pond Bog.
Swamp Trail goes towards the Black Gum/Red Maple Basin Swamp formed some 12,500 years ago by a glacier.
Valley Road follows the Gerry Brook through the Hemlock Ravine to the 19th century Gerry burial ground.
Fire Tower on Monroe Hill - This trail rises to a steel observation tower in the northern side of Fox State Forest. The historic tower was built in 1934 to watch over the forest. #homehikechallenge
The forest is a huge 1,445 acres, including the Henry I. Baldwin Forestry Education Center and an historic farm house. There is a marked trail system of 22 miles that welcome hikers, cross-country skiers, snow-shoers, and mountain bikers.
