Recently, we learned about the Gonic Trails at Mount Isinglass Recreational Area in Rochester, NH. This facility is located a short distance from Route 125 in Gonic; a village of Rochester. The facility is part of the Waste Management Turnkey Recycling & Environmental Enterprises.

On our first visit, we stopped at the nature trails. The trail head has ample parking. There are three trails from this parking lot, Watson’s Way, a 1.4 mile loop, Locke’s Local Loop, a 1.3 mile loop and Luanne’s Lane, a 3.5 mile one way trail. There was a mailbox for trail maps, but there were no maps when we were there.

We took the trail for Locke Falls on the Isinglass River. The beginning part of the trail was very nice. The trail was fairly wide and easy as it winded along a slight rolling terrain. The trails are well marked with different color paint for each trail.  As we approached the river, we saw old granite abutments for the former Worcester, Nashua and Rochester Railroad. Once we reached the river we could see people fishing and wading in the currents.

We continued on, took a right and followed the trail, which quickly narrowed. There were portions of the trail that had debris, which at times made it difficult to walk. I am not sure if the debris was remnants from this past winter’s ice storm.

Open year-round, the recreational park is used for hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and picnicking in the summer and ice skating, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing in the winter. Dogs are also allowed.

Directions to the trailhead:
From Rochester, follow Route 125 south to Rochester Neck Road. Take a left onto Rochester Neck Road. The trails are 1/2 mile up on the right. Follow this link to Google Maps for Directions.

This is the trail map displayed at the parking lot. If I am able to get a better image, then I will post it.

Filed under: Fall activities, Family Fitness, Family fun activities, NH hikes, Outdoor fun, Quality time with kids, Spring activities, Summer activities, Summer attractions, Wildlife Tagged: | hiking with dogs, hiking with kids, kids activities, kids and nature, kids fun, kids in NH, nature trails