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Route Summary
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Click for the full trail map (it will open in a new window). Trail Guide Note: The photos shown with this hike report were taken on 5/11/2009 during a similar hike to Wagon Hill Farm but show only sights that could have been seen while doing the hike described here. I wanted to share my family's experience at Wagon Hill Farm in Durham, New Hampshire. From the parking lot (feel free to use the portapotty here), we followed the rutted dirt road trail through the meadow towards Little Bay. About 200 yards from the parking lot, take a look at the grand old apple trees on your right! We enjoyed wondering who must have harvested these apples in years past. If you are tall enough, try grabbing a few for a taste. All the goodness with none of the spray! This time it appeared as if the fields had been recently mown or hayed. A visit earlier in the summer had blowing fields of grasses. A few trails wandered off to the left, great for our toddler (and older kids as well), to explore, which eventually wound around back to the main path. The "road" continued down into woodlands. Our toddler enjoyed picking up the various colored leaves, and the multitude of acorns from the path. Unfortunately, patches of the invasive Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) poked in here and there along the path. About 0.3 mile down from the parking lot, the trail opens up into another field area. To you left you will see an old cemetery. We didn't have time this time around, but imagine it would be interesting to look at the family relations here. This field area is well maintained by the town of Durham, with a couple tables and a great place to have a picnic and enjoy the views of Little Bay / Oyster River. There is a launch area down to the river but I'm not sure how you would get a boat or kayak down here. Still, a fun place to poke around, skip stones, feel the marine clay, and generally explore this tidal river. A friend has told me that in the early summer, this is also a great place to come and look for horseshoe crabs. That's on our list for next summer! After spending some time at the water, we followed the trail along the river to our right (when you are looking at the water). (Note – there is a trail to the left – we took that on another occasion, which will also loop you back around to the dirt road.) The trail along the river follows the shore, and meanders back into the woods. We happened to spot some UNH crew boats out on the river for practice this morning. There are a couple short trails that cut to the water, but mainly we continued through the woods, picking up acorns and wondering what the blueberry harvest will be like next year. About a quarter-mile farther, there is a short trail to the left, with a picnic table, that leads down to a point with 360-degree views of Oyster River. Continue on the trail, then veer right when you have the option, and you will reconnect with the dirt road, about at the edge of the forest and field. Head back towards the parking lot, but don't forget to take a trip to the wagon perched atop the hill (visible from the road). Just before the shrubs surrounding the small parking lot, take the path to the right along the ridge of the field to the wagon. Have fun climbing aboard and wondering what it would have been like to travel this way! We spent about two hours here on a cool, sunny fall day. I can imagine in the middle of summer packing a lunch and spending the entire afternoon. We only met two other groups – one family of three, and one couple with two dogs. Dogs are supposed to be leashed and picked up after – though I can imagine the temptation to unleash the dogs here is tough to resist. |
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Driving Directions
Wagon Hill Farm is located in Durham, New Hampshire directly off of Route 4.
From Dover:
Facilities Toilets at the upper parking lot. About Wagon Hill Farm Anyone driving along Route 4 in Durham (near the Dover end), New Hampshire is familiar with the hilltop wagon for which this property is named. There is a crumpled stone wall near the road with a grassy hill rising above it, upon which is perched an old-fashioned wagon. In winter, it's this hill that is very popular for sledding. The southern 100-acre piece includes an old farmhouse and more meadows than woods. The open fields provide nice vistas across the park. A network of about 2 miles of trails leads through the open areas, a small apple orchard, woods, and down to and along the shoreline where Little Bay and Oyster River meet. Horseshoe crabs and other interesting sights can often be found along the shoreline of this tidal estuary. Although the trails aren't marked, they are easy to follow. Since the wooded areas aren't large, it is hard to get lost. The traverse of meadows is done by way of nicely mowed, wide paths. There is a wide gravel road that leads directly from the upper parking lot to the shoreline that sort of divides the property in half and it can be used to make two wide loops. If you walk down the gravel path to the river, then turn right into the woods, following the widest perimeter when offered an option, you will eventually loop back to the parking lot in about 1.0 mile. Starting from the parking area, but heading out across the meadows to the wagon, and again following the widest perimeter available, and returning via the gravel road once you reach the The property was farmed until 1960. In addition to the wagon, which is only a 2-minute walk from the upper parking lot, there is another piece of old farm equipment right next to the parking area. Down near the water, along the main path, is an old cemetery. The Town of Durham bought this farm in order to save it from development and it has proved to be a very worthy and popular acquisition. There are a few picnic tables and a small pavilion at a large open area along the river. This is a great place to picnic and enjoy the water views with nearby woods that offer some shade and scenic interest. There is also a carry-in boat launch area here (0.3 mile from the upper parking lot). Swimming is allowed although there is no lifeguard. Benches are scattered throughout the property and there is a picnic table on a small peninsula. This little piece of land is lightly wooded with lovely trees and provides excellent water views. Wagon Hill Farm offers activities for all seasons: walking, swimming, picnicking, paddling, sledding, and cross-country skiing. It is accessed directly off of Route 4 in Durham and has both a lower and upper parking lot along its access road. The lots aren't very large and on busy days, you may find yourself waiting for a spot. Wagon Hill Farm Property Use Guidelines
More Wagon Hill Trail Reports |
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