Balch Hill
Pros
Short (if you have kids)
Cons
Used navigation to find (others may not need this)
Getting to the Trail
This is a super easy hike a short ways from the green in Hanover. Since I’m unfamiliar with Hanover beyond Main Street, I needed to use my navigation to find the trail, but once I got there I knew I wouldn’t need navigation again. From Interstate 91 continue going straight on E. Wheelock St. (Rt. 10 turns into E. Wheelock St.) so the green will be on your left at the main set of lights in town and you go straight through the next set of lights at Park St. Continue going straight until you reach the corner of Grasse Rd and Trescott Rd. There’s a dirt parking lot and the trailhead is on the left and is marked. You can see a set of stone stairs from the road.
If you’re coming from Lebanon you stay straight on S. Park St continuing past the co op and turn right onto E. Wheelock St. Then follow the same directions the rest of the way. There are other trails to the top that start on other streets and of course I’m sure I’d have to use navigation to find my way to those too. Directions and trails descriptions can be found here.
On the Trail
I took the Grasse Road Trail. The word summit on the trail map made me think a long hike, but the word hill should’ve clued me in. I saw people walking small dogs on way up so I it thought can’t be that bad. There was minimal elevation on the well marked and shaded trail and I was at the top in ten minutes. I came to a meadow surrounded by woods. There was a concrete bench under a tree if you needed a rest. I was surprised at how fast the walk was.
[pullquote]‘That was quick.’ I said to myself when I reached the top. Then I saw the amazing view![/pullquote]
If it wasn’t so hot in the sun I would’ve stayed a bit but instead I headed back down. It was easy; I would even venture to say it’s okay on the knees. I wore my brace but felt I didn’t have to. There were some roots and rocks to watch out for too. I saw a family with 3-4 yr old too so I thought if this isn’t the epitome of a family hike I don’t know what is.
I look forward to trying the other trails in the future.
2 Comments
Glad you enjoyed Balch Hill. It was one of the very first properties protected by the Hanover Conservancy; we now manage it in conjunction with the Hanover Conservation Commission and Dartmouth College.
It’s so wonderful to have organizations like yours that protect beautiful lands for the public to enjoy. Many wonderful memories are made as people explore these places because of your efforts.