Hiking Trails

Enjoy getting Nearer to Nature on a hike through fields, forests, and wetlands. Trail admission tickets are required to access hiking trails.

Hiking Tips

Please be respectful of distancing around other hikers on Science Center trails.
Wear proper footwear with good traction.
Bring water and sunscreen.
Mosquitoes, blackflies, and ticks love the forest too! Be prepared with protective clothing or insect repellent.
Tread lightly and have fun!

Trail map showing Ecotone, Forest and Mt Fayal trails

Hiking Trails

Ecotone Trail

Distance: 1/3 mile
Time: 30 minutes

An ecotone is the "edge" where two different natural communities meet. Examples of ecotone areas include the shore where a lake and forest meet, the edge between a marsh and field, and the area between a thicket and pasture. The Ecotone Trail is a 1/3-mile hike, which will take you about one-half hour. It follows the boundary between field and forest with excellent habitat for numerous animals with abundant food and shelter.

Forest Trail

Distance: 2/3 mile
Time: 1 hour
Follow the yellow blazes

Explore 30 acres of forest to spot evidence of past and present human use of the forest and wildlife signs, and also learn ways forests can be managed for both wood and wildlife. Along the way you'll see a few areas which have been harvested using different forestry techniques to demonstrate their effect on trees, wildlife, and other plants.

Mt. Fayal Trail

Distance: 1 mile
Time: 1 hour
Follow the red blazes

This trail to Mt. Fayal Trail, elevation 1,067 feet, offers beautiful views of Squam Lake. You may catch a glimpse of some truly wild creatures or interesting plants and trees. You will also be able to find signs of past human activity on this mountainside, such as remnants of the old Piper Homestead. It includes the ruins of stone foundations of both the farmhouse and barn, and the stone walls outlining former sheep pastures.

Download and Print the Hiking Trails Map

Joel Sherman, 06/11/24
A great place to learn about local animals native to new hampshire. Awesome place to take the kids.
Giovanni Martins, 06/03/21
Took our son to visit this location and he absolutely had a blast. It was cool to see the different animals. There is also a playground so kids can play. Beautiful place. We enjoyed it. Weather was cool the day we went but by the time we finished walking/chasing after our son, we were pretty warm by the end. Highly recommended to bring your kids to see all of the animals.
Ron Tuell, 07/23/24
It's always a great place to visit.
Sue B, 06/25/21
I have enjoyed visiting this amazing place for 30 years. Great hands on educational experience for all ages. I especially like bringing guests to learn about the New Hampshire wildlife, flora, fauna and geology. Keep up the good work.
Ariana Hernandez, 10/27/19
I love this place! It's like a zoo. You see different creatures and read little cool facts about New Hampshire's wild life on the way of the paths you walk. But, it's not only just all walking, you could also visit the play ground they have so your kids could have fun and a educational time.