Things to Do in Hemenway State Forest
Hemenway State Forest is a 2,106-acre state forest in Tamworth, New Hampshire, characterized by its ancient forests and diverse natural features. The landscape includes towering Eastern white pines and giant hemlocks, alongside a mix of deciduous trees, creating a varied forest environment. Trails often feature unique pit and mound topography and cross the Swift River, providing varied terrain suitable for several sports like jogging, hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, and more. This natural setting offers a compelling backdrop for outdoor…
51
Routes
4.7
(26)
Average rating
362
People visited
4.5
(2)
87
hikers
25.2km
10:45
1,740m
1,280m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.3
(3)
32
hikers
11.3km
04:11
740m
740m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
15
hikers
19.7km
07:58
1,210m
1,210m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
8
hikers
16.4km
05:50
1,000m
980m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4
runners
9.48km
01:29
540m
540m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
3
runners
4.46km
00:28
10m
10m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
1
runners
5.21km
00:33
60m
60m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
15.1km
02:15
900m
900m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(1)
15
riders
29.3km
01:25
340m
340m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
12
riders
45.5km
02:09
370m
370m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4
riders
56.1km
02:27
380m
380m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
5.0
(1)
6
riders
36.2km
01:29
170m
170m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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3
riders
46.8km
02:56
400m
400m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
6
riders
63.4km
05:15
910m
910m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
riders
13.1km
01:07
180m
180m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
riders
18.6km
01:41
260m
260m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(5)
6
riders
87.3km
06:40
1,320m
1,320m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
riders
41.1km
03:11
600m
600m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
riders
59.2km
04:08
760m
760m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
1
riders
40.8km
02:59
550m
550m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Hemenway State Forest known for?
Hemenway State Forest, located in Tamworth, New Hampshire, is known for its ancient forests, particularly the Big Pines Natural Area. This area features towering Eastern white pines, some over 150 feet (46 meters) tall, and giant hemlocks. The forest also includes the Swift River and an observation tower atop Great Hill.
What outdoor activities are available in Hemenway State Forest?
Hemenway State Forest offers various outdoor activities, including jogging, hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, and gravel biking. The forest features a mix of trails and roads suitable for different experience levels. Komoot lists 3 routes in the forest, with an average rating of 4.66 stars from over 200 ratings.
Are there hiking trails in Hemenway State Forest?
Yes, Hemenway State Forest provides several hiking opportunities. Notable trails include the Betty Steele Trail, Peg Steele Trail, and the Peg King Spur Trail leading to the Great Hill observation tower. The Easy Walker Nature Trail offers a shorter, interpretive experience. More information can be found in the Hiking in Hemenway State Forest guide.
What are the best jogging routes in Hemenway State Forest?
Hemenway State Forest offers suitable terrain for jogging on wide, relatively flat old forest roads and gentler hiking trails. The Easy Walker Nature Trail and portions of the Betty Steele Trail can be enjoyed by joggers. For more details, consult the Running Trails in Hemenway State Forest guide.
Are there family-friendly trails in Hemenway State Forest?
Yes, Hemenway State Forest offers trails suitable for families. The Easy Walker Nature Trail is a shorter, third-of-a-mile (0.5 km) trail near the parking area that parallels the Swift River. For additional options, refer to the Family-friendly hikes in Hemenway State Forest guide.
Are dogs allowed on trails in Hemenway State Forest?
Hemenway State Forest generally permits dogs on its trails. It is advisable to keep dogs leashed and to follow all posted regulations. Specific information regarding dog-friendly routes can be found in the Dog-friendly hikes in Hemenway State Forest guide.
What is the Big Pines Natural Area?
The Big Pines Natural Area is a 170-acre section within Hemenway State Forest renowned for its old-growth forest. It features some of New England's largest Eastern white pines, with many trees between 125-145 feet (38-44 meters) tall. The area also contains giant hemlocks estimated to be 250 to 350 years old.
Where is the observation tower in Hemenway State Forest?
An observation tower is located atop Great Hill in Hemenway State Forest. It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1934. Visitors can reach the tower via the Peg King Spur Trail, a 0.6-mile (1 km) climb with nearly 400 feet (122 meters) of elevation gain.
Are there cycling routes in Hemenway State Forest?
Yes, Hemenway State Forest and its surrounding areas offer opportunities for road cycling, touring cycling, and gravel biking. Routes may include paved or well-maintained dirt roads bordering or traversing parts of the forest. Guides such as Road Cycling Routes in Hemenway State Forest and Gravel biking in Hemenway State Forest provide more details.
How long are the main hiking trails in Hemenway State Forest?
The combined hiking distance of the Betty Steele Trail, Peg Steele Trail, and Peg King Spur Trail is approximately 2.5 miles (4 km). The Easy Walker Nature Trail is a shorter, third-of-a-mile (0.5 km) loop. These trails offer varying lengths and difficulty levels for hikers.
How popular is Hemenway State Forest on Komoot?
Hemenway State Forest is a popular destination on Komoot, with more than 2,000 visitors having shared their experiences. Activities in the forest have received an average rating of 4.66 out of 5 stars from over 200 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
What is the official website for Hemenway State Forest?
Hemenway State Forest is managed by the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR). Information about the forest can be found on the DNCR website. The official website is www.dncr.nh.gov.
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