New Hampshire is certainly well-known for its natural wonders, such as the high White Mountains and open landscape vistas. The more popular locations can draw thousands of visitors each year. Personally, I prefer to seek out the lesser-traveled spots, which may not be as impressive on a grand scale but are in no way any less interesting. One natural area in New Hampshire that you may not know about is tucked away off an auxiliary highway in the rural town of Tamworth. Let's take a walk to Big Pines Natural Area - Hemenway State Forest.

Big Pines Natural Area - Hemenway State Forest lies off State Route 113A in the town of Tamworth. A trail system within the forest spans two-and-a-half miles in total.

A variety of woods walks and longer hikes can be made here, from a 0.3-mile interpretive trail to an approximately two-mile round trip to the summit of Great Hill and back.

Big Pines Natural Area features towering eastern white pine trees as tall as 150 feet and as wide as 15 feet. While "young" at 150-200 years of age, these trees are still growing to their maximum size.

In addition to the giant pines, other trees that can be found here include hemlocks up to 300 years old, sugar maples, red spruce, and yellow birch.

The full tour of the forest leads one to the summit of Great Hill, where a fire lookout tower has stood watch since 1934. It remains one of the state's active lookouts to this day.

Hikers can climb part of the way up the fire lookout to an observation platform. Here, there is an expansive view of the Sandwich Range to the north.

In spring, also keep an eye on the ground while exploring here. Trillium, both red and painted, is a common wildflower in New Hampshire.

For more information on this interesting natural area in New Hampshire and to download a trail map, visit the Tamworth Conservation Commission. You can also learn more about the trees here by visiting the Old-Growth Forest Network. Now lace up those boots and get out there!

Explore more ancient trees by visiting the Sheldrick Nature Preserve in Wilton.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-hampshire/sheldrick-forest-nh/