The Upper Valley has myriad hiking opportunities to see the fall leaves. There are drives, walks or simply going to a park to sit on a bench and gaze at the changing trees. There are also, of course, ample opportunities to hike.
As fall foliage reaches its peak — or maybe it already has, depending on who you ask — many will be taking advantage of those outdoor opportunities. However, for those with limited mobility, those outdoor opportunities can be harder to come by.
Keep in mind, too, that accessible trails are not only for people who may use walkers, wheelchairs or canes. They’re also for folks who may be looking for an easier trail, are pushing a stroller or want to go somewhere the whole family can enjoy. Think about grandparents wanting to take grandchildren birdwatching or someone who is recovering from surgery wanting to ease back into being active.
“There are rather few truly accessible trails in the Upper Valley,” Jason Berard, vice president of stewardship at the Upper Valley Land Trust, wrote in an email. “We need more. This is in part because they are so expensive to build to the required standard.”
In the last decade, the nonprofit UVLT has applied for grants to make trails more accessible and improved trail access, even if they did not have the funding to make trails compliant with the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“Where we can, we widen trails, decrease slope and make trails generally flatter to increase access for people with some mobility issues,” Berard wrote. “We also build new trails with this in mind. They can’t all be fully accessible, but we make them as accessible as possible.”
The UVLT is currently working with Jordan Davis, an Eagle Scout candidate from Wilder, to add ADA-compliant picnic tables to the Lyme Hill Conservation Area. This summer, the Upper Valley Trails Alliance’s Upper Valley High School Trail Corps constructed a 600-foot accessible trail that leads from the area’s parking lot down to the brook.
With that in mind, here are some suggestions for free, easier-to-use trails to view the fall foliage that were suggested by employees from the UVLT, the Upper Valley Trails Alliance and the Hanover Conservancy:
â Eshqua Bog Natural Area in Hartland: The easy, 1-mile trail includes a 460-foot “fully accessible boardwalk,” according to a description on the hiking database Trail Finder.
Mink Brook Preserve in Hanover: The 0.75-mile Quinn Trail leads to the Norman Overlook, which has a seating area where people can comfortably take in the view.
Faulkner Park/Mount Tom in Woodstock: The switchback trail on Mount Tom leads to a scenic overlook. The last 100 yards of the trail to Mount Tom’s South Peak is rocky and steep, according to a description on Trail Finder.
Ottauquechee River Trail in Woodstock: The mostly flat, 2½-mile trail follows along the river.
Angela’s Trail in Orford: A 1-mile portion of the Cross Rivendell Trail that is ADA-accessible.
Mascoma River Greenway/Northern Rail Trail in Lebanon: The Greenway is a 2½-mile paved trail that connects to downtown Lebanon and the Northern Rail Trail. This year, the two-thirds of a mile from Spencer Street to Bank Street on the Northern Rail Trail was paved.
The UVTA also maintains a database of trails in the Twin States through Trail Finder, which can be found at uvtrails.org/find-a-trail. When using the search function, select “Accessible Experience” to find trails that can be used by people who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
