Swain State Forest, a state forest in Belknap County, New Hampshire, offers a tranquil setting characterized by forested uplands and gentle terrain. It serves as a natural buffer along a portion of Lake Winnisquam, providing a scenic backdrop for outdoor activities. The area features quiet woodland paths and gentle hills, making it suitable for several sports like jogging, hiking, road cycling, and touring cycling. This accessible landscape provides a peaceful environment for nature enjoyment.
38
Routes
4
(6)
Average rating
242
People visited

5.0
(2)
18
riders
14.2km
00:50
80m
80m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15.4km
01:01
80m
80m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15
riders
90.7km
05:35
740m
740m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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9
hikers
6.99km
01:56
130m
130m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
hikers
4.73km
01:20
100m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
3.52km
00:55
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
13.9km
03:36
80m
80m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5
runners
4.83km
00:30
40m
40m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
runners
10.3km
01:08
190m
190m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.55km
00:28
10m
10m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.06km
00:23
30m
30m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3
riders
20.3km
00:57
140m
140m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

54
riders
92.3km
03:57
680m
680m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(3)
18
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

9
riders
43.6km
02:01
370m
370m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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Swain State Forest is a state forest located in Belknap County, New Hampshire. It features forested uplands and gentle terrain, serving as a natural buffer along a portion of Lake Winnisquam. The forest provides a tranquil and accessible setting for various outdoor activities.
Swain State Forest offers opportunities for jogging, hiking, road cycling, and touring cycling. The forest's quiet woodland paths and gentle hills are suitable for a range of ability levels. Visitors can find detailed information in guides like Running Trails in Swain State Forest and Hiking in Swain State Forest.
Swain State Forest provides several jogging routes through quiet woodlands. The 3.3-mile (5.3 km) Beaver Pond Trailhead loop is a favored option. More routes can be explored in the Running Trails in Swain State Forest guide.
Yes, Swain State Forest offers numerous hiking trails. Popular options include the 8.7-mile (14 km) WOW and Winni Trail, which has some moderate sections, and the easier 4.3-mile (6.9 km) Hamlin Trail loop. Further details are available in the Hiking in Swain State Forest guide.
The gentle terrain of Swain State Forest is suitable for road cycling. While specific dedicated routes within the forest are not detailed, nearby areas like Ahern State Park offer crushed limestone fire roads with scenic lake views. Information on cycling can be found in the Road Cycling Routes in Swain State Forest guide.
Swain State Forest features quiet woodland paths and gentle hills, making many trails suitable for families. The 4.3-mile (6.9 km) Hamlin Trail loop has minimal elevation change, offering an easier option. The Family-friendly hikes in Swain State Forest guide provides more details.
Yes, many trails in Swain State Forest are considered easy, catering to a wide range of ability levels. The 4.3-mile (6.9 km) Hamlin Trail loop is known for its minimal elevation changes. For more options, consult the Easy hikes in Swain State Forest guide.
Swain State Forest is primarily a forested upland area, acting as a natural buffer along Lake Winnisquam. Trails meander through woodlands, and features like beaver ponds can be found along routes such as the Hamlin Trail loop. The area provides a tranquil environment for birdwatching.
There is no entry fee for Swain State Forest itself. However, some adjacent areas, such as Ahern State Park, may have day-use fees during peak season. The forest is known for its accessibility as an outdoor destination.
Swain State Forest is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 400 visitors having shared their experiences. Routes in the forest have an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars. This indicates a well-regarded area for outdoor activities.
Komoot offers several guides for Swain State Forest, including Running Trails, Hiking, Family-friendly hikes, Easy hikes, Road Cycling Routes, and Cycling. There are also guides for Traffic-free bike rides.
Swain State Forest does not have a dedicated official website or direct phone number. For general inquiries, contact the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) at 603-271-2411 or the Division of Forests & Lands at 603-271-2214. The official website for NH State Parks is nhstateparks.org.

