ORFORD HIKING TRAILS
Appalachian Trail
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/explore-by-state
The Appalachian Trail was founded by the legendary forester and conservationist from the early 1900s, Benton MacKaye. MacKaye was the original sponsor and planner of the Appalachian Trail. What is less commonly known is that MacKaye initially conceived of the idea of the Appalachian Trail while working here in Orford as a counselor at Camp Moosilauke in 1904! MacKay’s personal journal recounts his long distance hikes out of Orford and his vision of the need for and value of a long-distance hiking trail to connect the wilderness spaces of the East, which was first developed right here in Orford.
In a very meaningful way, Orford is “the birthplace of the Appalachian Trail” — an important historical point that has faded with the passage of time.
Indian Pond Heritage Trail
The Indian Pond Heritage Trail follows a path that was traveled by early settlers as well as Native Americans. It is believed that this path was a main travel route and portage path for early Americans from the lakes region of New Hampshire to the shores of the Connecticut River. A number of cellar holes and a schoolhouse indicate substantial habitation in the past. The Indian Pond Heritage Trail follows the path of the old Grimes Hill Road. The trail’s western terminus is located off of the current Grimes Hill Road. It then travels approximately three miles as it crosses Indian Pond Road and ends roughly one mile past the junction. The old roadbed continues until its eastern terminus at the junction with Route 25A.
QUINTTOWN ROAD
Reward: Wild, secluded ponds with wildlife; beautiful view of Mt. Moosilauke; wildflowers in May, lupines in the third week of June; Jacobs Brook waterfalls along the way. Picnic tables.
Length of hike: 4.4 miles, 780 feet
Ease of use: A maintained gravel woods road (continuation of Quinttown Road) after the gate with the parking area.
Website: https://www.vnews.com/Seeing-the-Forest-for-the-Lupines-2958766
Directions to trailhead:
North on Route 10 to turn right on Rte 25A in Orford, past Orford Center, to turn right on Quinttown Road to 487 Quinttown Rd Orford, NH 03777
(https://goo.gl/maps/STjU3Gb3Xq22jpQm8)
Suggested carpool meeting point:
Rivendell Academy athletic field parking lot, opposite School Drive, Orford, NH 03777
Daniel Doan Trail to Smart’s Mountain
Formerly named the Mousley Brook Trail and once part of the Appalachian Trail, it was renamed in 1993 in honor of Daniel Doan, author of 50 Hikes in the White Mountains, 50 More Hikes in New Hampshire, and several other books. There is a small parking lot for the trail at the end of Mousley Brood Rd., a spur off of Quinttown Road. Hikers should be aware that the trail starts out on private land, soon passing a house whose owners have horses; hikers’ dogs should be leashed here. Farther up, the trail climbs through private land under conservation easement. The upper section passes through land within the Appalachian Trail corridor, though this route is no longer part of the AT.
EASTMAN LEDGES
Reward: Beautiful views of Smarts Mountain; Jacobs Brook waterfalls along the way.
Length of hike: 2.5 miles, 710 feet
Ease of use: Excellent, follows gravel Quinntown Road after gate, then left on the Appalachian Trail. (Continues to Mt. Cube via Hexacube Shelter.)
Website: http://mountainwandering.blogspot.com/2010/04/kodak-trailmt.html
Directions to trailhead:
North on Route 10 to turn right on Rte 25A in Orford, past Orford Center, to turn right on Quinttown Road to 487 Quinttown Rd Orford, NH 03777
(https://goo.gl/maps/STjU3Gb3Xq22jpQm8)
Suggested carpool meeting point:
Rivendell Academy athletic field parking lot, opposite School Drive, Orford, NH 03777
Orford Mall Walk – The Orford Mall Walk was designed by two of Orford’s founders and laid out in the early 1800s. Leading south from the Town’s East Common, set back from the road and lined with trees, the Mall Walk served the community as a pedestrian walkway and scenic attraction of the village for over 200 years.