Lockes Hill, Lake Winnipesaukee NH
• 3-star hike
• 1 to 2 mile options
• Easy | Gain 410 feet
• Gilford, NH | Lakes Region
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Lake Winnipesaukee from the Lakeview Trail.
Positioned on the South shores of Lake Winniepesaukee and just five miles from Weirs Beach, the trails of Kimball Wildlife Forest wind around Lockes Hill. Once part of an estate which included a home styled after German castles, the forest is now available to the public while the nearby dilapidated building sits behind "no trespassing" signs crumbling away.
We'd recommend this as a short forest hike for those looking for a little exercise and good lake views. The forest itself is surprisingly sparse - dusty in the dry summer, with very little vegetation beneath the consistent canopy of trees. The trails are well maintained and are easy for all abilities. On the North facing side of the hill look out for a rock armchair from which to admire distant sights across the late, or close to the top of the hill you can find a stationary telescope to get some better views.
| ⬤ 3★ Quarry & Lakeview Loop
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX? |
| ⬤ 3★ Lakeview Trail Out & Back
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions |
The Lockes Hill trails have a large parking lot off Lake Shore Road, and slots should be available on all but the busiest of days. Make your choice between a clockwise loop around the hill, or a shorter out-and-back to the best lake viewpoints:
⬤ Quarry & Lakeview Loop
Proceed from the back of the parking lot on a gentle uphill forest service road. Although the back side of the hill is reached using Quarry Trail, there's little sign of any industry around here, just a walk through the forest which briefly follows the path of a creek. Return on the Lakeview Trail.
⬤ Lakeview Trail Out & Back
Look for the Lakeview Trail sign at the front of the parking lot closest to the road, and follow the dirt trail gradually up the hills, through occasional switchbacks toward the summit. We've marked the two best viewpoints on our map.
The summit is marked by a beacon, and equipped with a mounted telescope.
Tangents:
• Trail Links: Public Map at AllTrails
• Facebook Group: Follow, Comment on Article
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