Bedford Area Hikes
One of the charms of Bedford is its proximity to a variety of great outdoor spaces with a myriad of hiking trails. Below are some of my favorites with corresponding photos. If you don't see your favorite trail listed, let me know.
Joe English Consewrvation Area
This 673 acre conservation area is located in historic Amherst the next town to the west. With 12 miles of hiking trails and an educational center that offers lectures and field trips, Joe English is a great place to spend an hour or a day.
One of my favorite spots is the beaver pond located less than 1/2 mile from the education center and public parking.
One of the many streams in Joe English that are easily accessed through its extensive trail sysytem. This one drains from the beaver pond.
Bedrord's Pulpit Rock Conservation Area
Inside the town limits of Bedford is the Pulpit Rock Conservation Area. Miles of trails meander through 200 acres of varied forests and wetlands. The geological masterpiece, Pulpit Rock, is a giant rock which, although partly buried by sediment, still has an exposed portion measuring 42 feet deep by 23 feet wide. Pulpit Rock was formed by erosion of the bedrock at the end of the geologic era, the Pleistocine. Commonly known as the Ice Age, this period ended in New Hampshire about 12,000 years ago. Approximately 14,000 years ago, glacial ice melted northward through this region. As this happened large volumes of melt-water flowed through what is now the conservation area causing erosion and the formation of Pulpit Rock.
View of Pulpit Rock from the bottom
The scale is bigger than this picture does it justice.
Small pond with waterfall off one of the trails leading from the main public parking to the rock itself.
Benedictine Park
Right in the heart of Bedford's historic district lies the open fields and panoramic vistas of Benedictine Park. A great place to walk your dog or enjoy a spectacular sunset.
view looking west
view looking south
The Massabesic Audubon Center
Located off Route 101 on the Manchester/Auburn line just a 15 minute drive from Bedford, the Audubon Center offers environmental education programs and adjoins miles of scenic trails for nature study and recreation. My favorite trails circle Massabesic Lake, the drinking water source for Greater Manchester.
Trails are enjoyed by man and beast alike.
Many nesting boxes surround this pond
Massabesic Lake as seen from one of the trails
What is above is below.
Paradise found
Just a snitch of a giant rock that stretches from one of the many trails to the Lake's edge
A happy camper on a nearly 70 degree January afternoon
Beaver Brook Association-117 Ridge Road Hollis ,NH
The Beaver Brook Association is a non-profit foundation that maintains 2100 acres for environmental education and land stewardship. It is two towns over from Bedford in picturesque Hollis, NH. There are miles of trails including a 2.5 mile bird-nesting route through Beaver Brook's forest, wetlands, and fields. It is open to the public 7 days a a week.
Trailhead near information center
One of the many ponds and nesting areas along the trail
Pond off main trail loop
It's not called Beaver Brook for nothing
Wood Nymph luxuriating on a warm winter day
