Morse Preserve, Alton NH
• 4-star hikes
• 1 to 2 mile options
• Easy | Gain 300 feet
• Alton, NH | Lakes Region
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Spectacular lake views from the top of this short trail.
Protected by the Forest Society since 2008, the Morse Preserve previously produced vegetables, blueberries, milk and fresh eggs for Alton Bay. The land is now open for all to enjoy, including trails through a variety of landscapes that lead to the round overlook of Pine Mountain and some spectacular southern Lake Winnipesaukee views. This is a particularly great trail for a family hike.
From Avery Hill Road, the Morse Trail begins as a wide forested track with a mild gradient that flattens out over time. Pass by pastures on which a few dairy cattle once grazed and the terrain flattens out for a while. We explored several trail offshoots here, but found them to be mostly overgrown or obstructed by fallen small trees.
| ⬤ 4★ Morse Trail Out & Back
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX? |
| ⬤ 4★ Morse Trail & Redwood Loop
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions |
The direct route to Pine Mountain's overlook along the Morse Trail narrows and heads uphill, though we're still confident categorizing this route as easy as the terrain underfoot remains straightforward to negotiate. From the overlook, and with the sun likely to your back, the views up Alton Bay and onto Lake Winnipesaukee are spectacular.
The most prominent peaks across the lake are the alignment of Tate Mountain, Black Snout and Mount Shaw - which we have also explored recently and link in our 'Trailspotting Nearby' section at the foot of the page. To the right of the lake views are the summits of Mount Major and Straightback Mountain.
Wide forested track on the Morse Trail.
We'd recommend extending this short hike into the woods along the Greenwood Senior Trail for increased variety. Tackling the part-loop in either direction works well, though we prefer counter-clockwise. Note that neither of these hikes reaches the 1,496 foot summit of Pine Mountain, which is not connected to the trail system can only be bagged by bushwhacking.
The Morse Trail shares a large trailhead parking area with the Alton Town Forest, across Avery Hill Road. The Pine Mountain overlook can also be reached from a separate Greenwood Trail from Alton Mountain Road. We explored this route which follows a service road, but we found it mostly uninspiring and has some long grasses that could increase risk of tick contact. There are also no apparent parking spots on Alton Mountain Road from which to begin this alternative route.
Modest elevation and easy terrain on the Morse Trail.
USGS survey mark on top of an erratic.
Forest bathing on the Greenwood Senior Trail.
Wider view of Pine Mountain's overlook.
Tangents:
• NH Forest Society: Morse Preserve
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Morse Trail
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us
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Find trails that feature lakes along their journey.
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