bristlecone
New member
The more I look into and explore conservation land around here, the more I discover I haven't been to yet. It seems like some places have the potential for surprisingly long sections of trail, particularly if you get creative. And it's so nice to save the 5 or 6 hours of round-trip driving for other things in life.
So what are some of the places for a "long" (>10 mi) trail route?
The rules:
I don't care so much about exact mileage, just a general idea of "longer" options.
A few to start:
Fells (obviously) - putting together skyline, rock circuit, crystal springs gets around 15 mi and adding reservoir and more of the cross fells trail can get you past 20
Lincoln conservation land: I don't think anywhere will beat this place for an extensive, connected trail network. I only really know some parts of it, but it doesn't seem it would be too hard to get above 20 mi doing a loop that takes in Flint's Pond, Walden, and Mt. Misery.
Estabrook woods, Concord/Carlisle - many, many possibilities. The esker is a highlight - I can't quite describe how to get there from memory, but if you end up on it you will know it.
If you see someone running these trails with an orange and gray backpack, say hi!
So what are some of the places for a "long" (>10 mi) trail route?
The rules:
- Crossing roads is OK but you can't follow alongside a road
- No retracing your route for more than a few tenths of a mile.
- It has to be a footpath in the woods, no bike paths or resurfaced railroad grades, though old cart paths are fine.
I don't care so much about exact mileage, just a general idea of "longer" options.
A few to start:
Fells (obviously) - putting together skyline, rock circuit, crystal springs gets around 15 mi and adding reservoir and more of the cross fells trail can get you past 20
Lincoln conservation land: I don't think anywhere will beat this place for an extensive, connected trail network. I only really know some parts of it, but it doesn't seem it would be too hard to get above 20 mi doing a loop that takes in Flint's Pond, Walden, and Mt. Misery.
Estabrook woods, Concord/Carlisle - many, many possibilities. The esker is a highlight - I can't quite describe how to get there from memory, but if you end up on it you will know it.
If you see someone running these trails with an orange and gray backpack, say hi!
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