Sullivan County: Hiking Trails, Nature and Culture

On the lands of Sullivan County, trails provide access to Sam's Overlook. On clear days, the view from there reaches as far as Vermont. In Unity, Sullivan County owns more than 2,100 acres of undeveloped land with forests, fields, streams, wetlands and mountain views. Hiking, fishing, gardening and snowmobiling are permitted on designated trails on the property.

Trails with Distinctive Character

The Unity Mountain Trail is four miles long and showcases the cultural and natural history of Sullivan County. There is a scenic overlook near the summit, and birds and other wildlife are often spotted along the route. For those comparing trail length and difficulty, the Glidden Ridge Trail offers a two-mile, moderately difficult route through northern hardwood and hemlock forests. An overlook there offers mountain views.

At half a mile, the Barrette Trail is much shorter and rated easy. The loop follows wetlands and passes through an old spruce-fir forest. The three trails differ in more than just length: the Unity Mountain Trail also focuses on interpreting history, while Glidden Ridge and Barrette provide access to different forest and wetland landscapes.

The Sugar River Recreational Rail Trail runs for nine miles between Newport and Claremont, follows the Sugar River and includes two historic covered bridges. The trail is suitable for hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. This means the same route offers activities on foot as well as cycling and winter sports.

More Outdoor Activities

Mount Sunapee State Park offers recreational activities year-round, including alpine skiing at Mt. Sunapee Resort. The Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway and Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway also pass through the park. The two greenways connect at Lake Solitude and continue via the Summit Trail and Province Trail to Goshen.

In Claremont, Arrowhead Recreation Area offers seasonal skiing, snow tubing, hiking with views of the city and a downhill mountain bike trail. The mountain biking trails at Moody Park range from beginner to advanced. For another combination of recreation and education, the Eco Ag Center includes community gardens, pollinator gardens, an outdoor classroom, a fishing pier and Jessie's Trail.

Sullivan County's Public Cidery in Unity also combines a visit with insight into a production process. From September through October, it offers apple cider pressing by appointment; volunteers explain the process to visitors. A pressing session takes about an hour and a half and includes washing, grinding and pressing the apples, filling jugs and helping clean the equipment.

Culture, History and Getting Around

Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park is located along the Connecticut River, north of the town of Cornish in Sullivan County. It preserves the home, studios and gardens of artist Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The park includes more than 120 original sculptures and the world's largest collection of works by Saint-Gaudens. The park lists Thursday through Monday as the days its buildings are open.

Lake Sunapee lies between Sullivan County and Merrimack County. Along its eight-mile shoreline are seven sandy beaches and six boat ramps. The Claremont Opera House is a historic venue for theater, concerts and community events. If you plan to travel by train, Amtrak's Claremont station can serve as a reference point: it is the only one on New Hampshire's western border, and the Vermonter stops there. Schedules can change, so check the current service before you travel.

The educational program at Fort at No. 4 includes guided and self-guided tours that illustrate life in Charlestown in the years before and during the French and Indian War. This historical perspective complements the nature trails and cultural offerings with a distinct look at Charlestown's history.

Explore More Destinations

Acworth, Claremont, Sunapee, Rockingham, Carroll, Coos, Strafford and Grafton.

For the broader travel overview: New Hampshire.