Littleton NH Nature Trails
Littleton offers a variety of hiking trails and scenic vistas. Take a short hike or make a day of it. The Dells is interspersed with wild flower lined walking trails along the edge of a pond, home of many water birds. The Pine Hill Trails is an easy, round trip, woods walk passing many glacier erratics. Kilburn Crags, although a little more challenging, offers a spectacular view of downtown Littleton.
The Littleton Nature Trails are maintained by the volunteers of the Littleton Conservation Commission, these three natural areas offer opportunities for year-round recreation, including picnicking, snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, bird-watching and walking. Click here for a printable map to find the trails. (PDF File 196KB)
The Conservation Commission encourages wise use of all these areas, and asks that all respect the carry in, carry out rule.
For more information please write:
Littleton Conservation Commission
125 Main Street
Littleton, NH 03561
The Dells
Directions: Located 1.2 miles from the Post Office northwest on Route 18. Second entrance off the Dells Road. Parking available at both entrances. Picnic tables, fireplaces, and handicapped deck available. Fishing for children only.
In 1917, Daniel Remich gave an area known as The Dells to the Town of Littleton to be kept as a "park forever."
The easy to follow walking trails follow the edge of the pond. Look for wildflowers in spring and summer. Listen for the distinctive "chick-a-dee" call or the bluejay's cry.
The pond is home to many water birds: hooded mergansers, great blue herons, bitterns and others. Watch for beaver or otters along the shoreline. Listen for the shrill call of the ovenbird - "teacher, teacher, teacher" - or the rattle of a kingfisher. Watch for the flash of the red-winged blackbird among the cattails.
The park is open year round for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, picnicking and walking. Although no four-wheeled vehicles are permitted, parking is available at either entrance. Please take only pictures and leave only footprints.
Click here for a printable map. (PDF File 217KB)
Pine Hill Trails
Directions: On Main Street head east from the Post Office for three blocks. At Jackson Street turn left up hill crossing High Street to Park Avenue crossing Oak Hill Avenue on to Pine Hill Road where immediately on the right parking for Remich Park is found. Pine Hill Trails start just up the hill on the left. It is the only public trail system within easy walking distance from the village and adjacent to Remich Park.
The trail starts about 100 yards up Pine Hill Road on the left where a sign is set.
Starting through a stand of tall White Pine trees where 100 years ago was a cleared hillside known as Oak Hill Pasture. The path climbs steeply soon crossing the un-maintained part of Pine Hill road. The trail levels onto the ridge of the hill and passes several huge boulders known as glacial erratics left here over 10,000 years ago by the mile thick ice sheet as it moved south. The hill top is soon reached marked by one of these erratics called "Summit Boulder" then it continues descending past Tea Pot Rock to Boulder junction where it turns sharply left quickly crossing the top of the clearing next to the reservoir. Traversing the hill, the path soon returns to Pine Hill Road. Turn left at the sign to return to the park. Trail is a one mile loop, approximately 35 minutes round trip.
Click here for a printable map. (PDF File 217KB)
Kilburn Crags
Directions: Heading west on Main Street, 2 miles from the Post Office to the trail parking, follow Route 18 for 1.5 miles turning left on Route 135 and in one mile. There is parking and a trail sign on the left.
Another legacy to the town by Daniel Remich, Kilburn Crags offers a spectacular view after a short 7/10 of a mile hike from parking to outlook.
The path leads through the meadow along an overgrown stone wall, before turning left into the woods to follow an old logging road. Watch for direction arrows on trees. There are 2 benches along the trail and a picnic table at the outlook.
Kilburn Crags offers a rich geologic history. Part of the Littleton Formation of the Devonian Era, fine examples of slate and igneous rocks can be found near the Crags. About halfway up, several yards of polished granite show the glaciated striping (striae) caused by the sliding ice sheet of the last continental glacier more than 10,000 years ago. Littleton, the Ammonoosuc River Valley, and the Presidential Range are straight ahead, as well as Lafayette and Cannon Mountains on the right. Enjoy the wildlife and vista!
Click here for a printable map. (PDF File 102KB)
