Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Coalition
| Trail Guide 3 |
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Sunapee Town Hall to Deer Hill Road
Total Distance: 5.9 miles Estimated time: 3 hours
Total Ascents: 770 feet Total Descents: 460 feet
Overview: This segment of trail starts with a walk across town to Sunapee High School, followed by a climb to a ridge, where there is a nice view of Mount Sunapee. Most of this section of the SRKG is on roads; paved, gravel, and woods.
Finding the Trailheads: The southern trailhead is at the Sunapee Town Hall, which is a short ways south on NH 103B (on the left) just after it leaves NH 11. The northern trailhead is at the intersection of Stoney Brook Road (also Baptist Pond Road) and Deer Hill Road in Springfield. Stoney Brook Road leaves Georges Mills Road about 100 yd. south of I-89 exit 12-A. It intersects Deer Hill Road just before the second I-89 underpass. At this intersection is a small parking area on the left of Deer Hill Road. There is also space to park on the shoulder of Stoney Brook Road beyond the I-89 underpass.
Trail: From the Town Hall proceed north on NH 103B, turn right on NH 11, cross the bridge, and immediately turn left on the first street. Follow this street for about one-third of a mile to Sunapee High School. Turn right here onto Ryder Road. At 1.5 mi. the trail turns right following North Road. Ryder Road continues straight. Ascending North Road, watch for the house on the left with an unusual round chimney. The trail reaches the top of the hill beyond the cemetery (3.2 mi.). Turn around and enjoy a view of Mount Sunapee while catching your breath. At 3.5 mi. the trail continues on a gravel road. Soon the trail crosses a small bridge and there is a pond on the right.
A private road exits to Ledge Pond (4.1 mi.), and the maintained road ends at a house on the left (4.2 mi.). The SRKG continues straight on a Class VI road, soon crosses a logging area, and heads uphill to the left of the power line. A private road exits right, and the trail continues straight on the Class VI road to its intersection with Hogg Hill Road/Prospect Hill Road at 5.3 mi. The last part of this road is used as a driveway.
Directly across Hogg Hill Road/Prospect Hill Road is a minor power line. Travel down it on a snowmobile trail to the hum of the traffic on I-89, which is off to your right. The power line reaches Stoney Brook Road (5.5 mi.) where the SRKG turns right. On Stoney Brook Road, notice the large protected wetland on the left. The trail follows Stoney Brook Road under I-89 a few yards before reaching Deer Hill Road (left), where this segment ends at 5.9 mi.
The last part of Trail #3 (Sunapee Town Hall to Deer Hill Road) is now subject to a detour until further notice. When you reach Hogg Hill Road/Prospect Hill Road, turn left until you reach Stony Brook Road. Turn right on Stony Brook Road, crossing under I-89 as before to Deer Hill Road
