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

Mark Leonard, 10/11/24
As a NH Guide, I visited the Science Center this week with a tour group from Pennsylvania. We enjoyed a talk by Victoria, one of the Center's Naturalists, on three of the animals in their care. My group was genuinely excited to learn so many interesting facts and Victoria kept everyone's attention, especially when she introduced us to Skunk 24. Not to be out done, we all enjoyed the presentation on the Blandings turtle and the Barred Owl. All positive comments from my group as we left the Center that day. Great program!
Spookymumma Baker, 08/06/19
Favorite place to go with the kids! We get a membership every year and it’s extremely worth it!!! Love all the animals and play areas for kids, let’s them be independent enough that moms and dads still feel good about it. I remember going here as a child and I am so thankful my kids get to as well! The trail takes about an hour ish or more depending on how long you spend at each exhibit. The dinosaurs that they have short term are some of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. Over all: go here, is amazing!
Jill Cokely, 09/27/18
My family and I had such a great day here. I loved the flower gardens. It's so beautiful and smells amazing! We all enjoyed the exhibits and will return again in the future.
Ghost 77, 03/03/22
Absolutely amazing place to visit, especially for children. I visit most often during the summer in the late morning to early afternoon. There is little to no wait time for entry. Great to get some outside time and lots of walking, with fun and educational exhibits for the kids. Growing up, we'd go here on field trips fairly often between 1st and 5th grade, and everyone always thought it was a lot of fun.
Lori Blais, 06/08/21
Another fun experience at Squam. It was clean and beautiful. Always great to see the animals. The kids always love it.