Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Coalition
| Trail Guide 2 |
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Old Province Road to Sunapee Town Hall
Total Distance: 7.0 miles Estimated time: 4 hours
Total Ascents: 600 feet Total Descents: 1270 feet
Overview: This section of the SRKG descends the western flank of Mount Sunapee from the boundary of the Mount Sunapee State Park through the outskirts of the town of Goshen. It winds its way in a northerly direction to Lower Sunapee and ends at the Sunapee Town Hall. The views from this side of the mountain are stunning, especially during the fall as one has a vantage point across the Connecticut River Valley and into east central Vermont.
Finding the Trailheads: The southern trailhead is accessed at the end of Old Province Road. From the Mount Sunapee traffic circle, formed at the intersection of NH 103 and NH 103B in Newbury, travel west towards Newport 1.1 mi. on NH 103. Turn southwest or left onto Brook Road and travel for 1.2 mi. looking for Old Province Road on the left or east side of Brook road. Travel up Old Province Road until the end at the top of the steep west flank of Mount Sunapee. There is space for four vehicles with the trailhead in the rear of this area. The northern trailhead is accessed just south of the intersection of NH 11 and NH 103B at the Sunapee Town Hall. There is plenty of parking at this location on weekends, but this is generally not the case during the week.
Trail: The 0.5-mile hike down Old Province Road is rather steep. At the bottom of Old Province Road turn right on Brook Road and continue for about 1.2 mi. to NH 103 (1.7 mi.). This road walk provides excellent views of Mount Ascutney and numerous smaller peaks. Cross NH 103 and bear left onto Harding Hill Road. After 0.6 mi., the trail reaches the Webb Woods where there is a "Forester of the Year" sign on display. Hike into the woods past the sign and follow the white SRKG trapezoid blazes. After following a well-defined trail for about 0.7 mi., a clearing is reached (3.0 mi.). Cross the clearing and enter the woods bearing slightly towards the left; look for the SRKG blazes.
Hike through the woodland for about 0.7 mi. ascending to the top of a hill. At the summit, turn right to a viewpoint (3.7 mi.). Continue down the trail following the blazes for 0.5 mi. to a dirt road. Cross the road, turn right, hike for about 50 yd. and look for trail blazes on the left near a brook. Enter the woods and follow this trail for 1.2 mi. to Stagecoach Road, an asphalt road (5.4 mi.).
A short portion of Trail 2 is currently blocked. It is the last part that emerges on Stagecoach Road opposite the Wyman driveway. The landowner is preparing one or more building lots. We anticipate re-routing this short section when/if we obtain the landowners permission. At this point, there is no known walk-around to complete this portion of the trail. Please avoid this trail if unless you intend to return to your starting point.
Cross Stagecoach Road and hike up the private driveway for about 30 yd. where there are trail blazes entering the woods to the right. Follow these blazes for the next 0.7 mi. until you exit the woods to a field. Turn left and go to the low point of the land. Turn left on NH 103B and hike to the Sunapee Town Hall parking lot (7.0 mi.).
A permanent reroute (0.8 mi) within Sunapee Village takes the SRK Greenway from Ski Tow Hill as you emerge from the woods heading to Town Offices through the upper village and down the Sugar River Riverwalk. Cross NH 103B straight ahead to High Street, R up hill on Elm Street to L on Maple Street, then downhill to the Village and follow signs for the Riverwalk. The Riverwalk trail starts at a boardwalk bridge over the head of the Sugar River, follows the river, goes through the horse stable under the old town hall, past the intake for the town water-turbine power plant, then crossing the river again at High Street Bridge and downhill to the Town Office parking.
