Handicapped Accessible Trails in Northern NH
Handicapped Accessible Trails in Northern NH
Handicapped Accessible Trails in Northern NH
Hiking friendly trails for those with special needs!
by Cody Laplante
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Gorham
Mt. Washington
, infamous for its erratic and dangerous weather, has the highest peak in the Northern
United States. The summit, from which one can see a wide array of snowy peaks, is accessible by a very
rigorous and difficult hike recommended only to experienced, fit, and able hikers But one can also reach
it by the Mt. Washington Auto Road
.It takes about half an hour of steep, roundabout driving to reach the top of Mt. Washington in a car. Access
to the road costs $28 per vehicle and driver plus an additional $8 per passenger. Due to the likelihood, it
is always recommended to call ahead to ensure that the road is operational. Find more information here
. Lebanon
Beginning in Lebanon and running 61 miles south to Boscawen is the Northern Rail Trail
, a very flat retired
rail-road bed composed of packed stone dust. Although this trail is newer near Merrimack County, the supervisor of these
trails feels handicapped people could enjoy that whole trail with few problems. The recommended entrance
is at Taylor St. in Lebanon, where there is easy access to the trail and plenty of parking. The trail runs
through the towns of Grafton, Enfield, and Andover often parallel to the Mascoma River. Lincoln
Finding itself in the heart of the White Mountains and the White Mountain National Forest, Lincoln hosts many
popular hiking destinations.As the name suggests, the Oliverian Brook Trail
is a 3.5-mile long trail that runs along the Oliverian
Brook. It is a completely traversable and highly forested trail that leads to the (non-accessible)
trails to the top of Mt. Passaconaway. The trailhead and parking are up the Kangamangus highway (SR 112)
slightly east of Lincoln center on the right.Another possibility in Lincoln is the 2.9-mile long Lincoln Woods Trail
, one of the most widely used
recreational trails in New Hampshire. This trail was once also a railroad bed and has now been converted
into a relatively flat and packed down trail which features a 160' suspended bridge across the Pemigewasset River.The parking lot and visitor's center for the Lincoln Woods Trail
is 5 miles east of exit 32 off of Interstate 93.The Forest Discovery Trail
is more than just hiking. This 1.3 mile loop located on the Kangamangus
highway 7 miles east of the town center teaches users all about forest ecology and sustainable
timber management while providing them with accessible restrooms and great mountain views. This trail
is part of the White Mountain National Forest so related fees
apply. A very detailed brochure of this
attraction can be found here
. North Conway
A .6-mile, fully accessible trail takes hikers to the amazing and natural waterfall system called Diana's Baths
in the White Mountain National Forest.Parking is available off of West Side Road. Like all sites in the national forest, a $3 donation is
expected from each vehicle. The day-pass acquired by this donation is valid for visiting multiple sites. CAUTION:
These falls, fed by the thaw of Attitash Mountain, can often overflow in
spring creating untraversable and/or threatening conditions on the trail. Waterville Valley
Livermore Road was once used by loggers but now acts as a recreational trail. It is a 5-mile long
gravel road through the woods that mainly serves as access to different trails. Parking and
accessible bathrooms are located on Livermore Road off the Southern end of Tripoli Road. This trail
is part of the White Mountain National Forest so related fees
apply. For more information on the trail, click here.For those more extreme hikers, Northeast Passage
,
a UNH related non-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with
disabilities to reach their recreational and athletic goals,
rents out all-terrain wheel chairs and walkers
that lend greater hiking
abilities to those in need. They also organize assisted hiking and other outdoor
excursions for the physically handicapped.
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Copyright 2012-2018 by George C. Jobel
, 603-491-4340. All Rights Reserved.