Hanson Pines - A River Walk in Rochester, NH

I first visited Dominicus Hanson Pines Park last summer when my son was taking swimming lessons through the Rochester Rec Department.  I noticed a trailhead in the parking lot, but without knowing anything about the trail, I was tentative to try it with two young children alone.  I reached out to social media to my peers at Hike It Baby Seacoast, but no one responded that they had the tried the trail. I forgot about it...until this spring when I saw a post on social media of a beautiful pedestrian bridge over the Cocheco river and a lovely trail.  Next, I reached out through Facebook to Rochester Rec and they were super accommodating - answering questions about the trail and even offering to hike it with us! I took the kids and discovered it’s a hidden gem of a city park - water views, gentle trail, huge trees, and a loop!  It is now part of our regular rotation of nature walks.

Pedestrian Bride along Hanson Pines Nature Walk

Here’s how to recreate this adventure…

Adventure: Dominicus Hanson Pines Park and Nature Trail

Getting there:  The park and parking lot is located right next to Spaulding High School in Rochester at 4 Yeagley Way.

Trailhead at Hanson Pines

Trail:  The trail is a loop that’s divided by a paved path.  It’s a little misleading since it looks like the trail IS the paved path, but it actually goes around the path.  The unpaved walking trail is a relatively flat, wide trail with a floor of pine needles and leaves. There are some roots and rocks, but it is an easy trail and could be accessible for someone with a jogging stroller.  The trail loop is 0.77 miles round trip. We made it a little longer by incorporating the paved path and making a sort of figure eight shape.

If you start by turning left at the trailhead, you will parallel the Hanson Pines pool and playground.

Trail map.  I highlighted the loop in yellow.
Red marks the paved path/bridge.

Next, it wil curve right down to the river.  There are multiple resting benches along the way. At the river, the trail curves right again and travels parallel to it. You will pass the intersection of the paved path and see the impressive footbridge.  Continue straight. Here, interpretive signs are available using a QR code on your phone. We saw muskrat, turtle, and waterfowl. The large pines were also impressive.

From the river, the trail curves right again and heads into a mixed forest of hardwoods and pines. Soon, you will get glimpses of Spaulding High School through the trees and once more the trail curves, taking you back to the well marked trailhead.

We have now visited this trail multiple times - we saw other families, couples, and dog walkers (leashed) enjoying the trail.  We have also tried it with my son on his balance bike. As a parent, I appreciate the playground as well!

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 0.77 miles for loop

Recommendations:

• Unless, the Hanson Pines Pool is open, there are no bathrooms at the park
• Dogs are allowed on the trail but should be leashed
• Parking is free
• There are other small trails that weave in and out of the land. I haven't explored these (see map photo).

This is a great little strip of peaceful nature in the heart of an urban center.  It’s perfect for families with small children and/or anyone who’s looking for a short nature walk.

View from the footbridge

Happy hikers

Playground fun during hike

You might also enjoy these similar experiences:

- The Perfect Winter "Hike" with Toddlers 

- Winnie - the - Pooh Trail

- Willand Pond Nature Walk

Stratham Hill Park

Fire tower at the summit of Stratham Hill

After getting my puppy, Summit, I was searching for places near my house where I could walk the dog in a non-urban setting. After realizing the large Exeter Rec Park didn't allow dogs, I drove  down the road to Stratham Hill Park (5 minutes from my house).  After walking around the fields and playground, I was warmly greeted by park ranger, Kim, who gave me with a trail map, advice, and a dog treat for Summit.  Since then, I've been visiting Stratham Hill almost once a week, each time trying a new short hike and venturing deeper into the trails.

Kim let me know that there are over 9 miles of trails at Stratham Hill - traversing by fields, through forests, over hills, to fire towers, and alongside woodland ponds.  It's a hidden gem of peaceful nature in an otherwise populated part of the state.

Yesterday, Summit and I enjoyed a great 2 mile loop that got us out of the heat, into the forest, and a peaceful nature visit.

Sign at the parking lot at the end of Jack Rabbit Lane

Here is how to recreate this adventure....

Adventure:  Loop Hike at Stratham Hill Park  in Stratham, New Hampshire

Getting there:  Stratham Hill Park is easily located along Route 33 between Portsmouth and Exeter, NH.  From Exeter, head east on Route 33/Portsmouth Ave.  Stay straight through the traffic circle.  The park will be on the right after a couple miles.  A large sign and parking lot marks it's presence.

If you have a dog and you'd like to take her off leash, Pam suggested parking in a different entrance on Jack Rabbit Lane.  It is accessed on the right just feet before the main entrance to the the park.  At the end of the road is a large dirt lot and a sign greeting you to "Gordon Barker Town Forest".  This is the start of the Tote Road trail.  This is where Summit and I started our hike.

End of the Tote Road Trail

Both lots are free to park, and there are bathrooms, sports fields, trail maps, playground, and picnic areas at the main parking area.  Dogs must be on leash here.

Trail:  From the parking lot at the end of Jack Rabbit Road, I took the Tote Road trail.  It is just inside the woods.  On the right will be a field and on the left a series of ponds/wetlands.  We took this for about 0.5 miles.  About 0.2 miles after the pond we took a sharp left onto the Kitty Rock Trail (not signed, but obvious).  This trail continues through woods and gradually ascends 60 feet in elevation over 0.45 miles until it connects to the Lincoln trail.  Follow the Lincoln trail out of the woods and on to the grassy summit of Stratham Hill (elevation  280 feet).  You will see the fire tower and views of area lakes and even views of the Great Bay.  Enjoy the sunshine and picnic area before continuing forward, past the tower to continue on the Lincoln Trail.  The short and steep 0.36 miles will take you down 60 feet of elevation and into the main park area.  To return to our car, we stayed left (outskirts of the fields) on the Eagle trail to connect back to the parking lot at the End of Jack Rabbit Lane (0.3 miles).

Marker at summit

Difficulty:  Easy!  Great trail for a lazy day, families, or those who just want a casual stroll in nature.

Distance:  1.5-1.7 mile loop.  It is possible to have a longer/shorter loop.  The Outer Perimeter trail
skirts the entire park and is a 4.6 mile hike in total.  My version is shorter, and gets a view from the summit of Stratham Hill.

Recommendations:

• Grab a trail map at the main entrance or download on from the town website here.  Not all trails are well marked.  Use the map and bring a compass.  
• Wear bug spray.  Although I haven't noticed many problems there, Southern New Hampshire is

  

  Summit loves hiking at Stratham Hill Park

  infamous for ticks and Lyme Disease.  
• Realize that if you start from the Jack Rabbit Lane Entrance, there will be multiple dogs off leash.  If you want to avoid this, stick to the Stratham Hill side of the park and don't take the Tote Road - a popular run for local pups.  
• Bring a picnic and frisbee/ball. Enjoy the wonderful facilities of Stratham Hill Park!
• Greet the staff - they are friendly and helpful!  There is always filled water bowls for dogs near the caretaker garage and dog treats if you meet Park Ranger Kim.  

I'm so glad I discovered this local treasure.  Not only is Stratham Hill a great sports park, but it's a wonderful spot to hike, picnic, and get into nature in the Seacoast region.