Mount Monadnock stands impressively amid the gentler hills of southern New Hampshire. Though only 3,165 feet high (about half the height of Mount Washington to the north), its solitary grandeur has attracted hikers for more than 2 centuries. The knobby peak has been ascended by New England luminaries such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Today, more than 100,000 hikers head for the summit each year.
Some 40 miles of trails lace the patchwork of public and private lands on the slopes of the mountain. The most popular (and best-marked) trails leave from near the entrance to Monadnock State Park (tel. 603/532-8862), about 4 miles northwest of Jaffrey Center. (Head west on Rte. 124; after 2 miles, follow the park signs to the north.) A round-trip on the most direct routes will take someone in decent shape about 3 to 4 hours. Admission to the park is $3 for adults and children 12 and older; free for children 11 and under. No pets are allowed in the park.
An 18-mile drive north of Monadnock, not far from Hancock and Peterborough, is one of my favorite small parks in the region: Greenfield State Park (tel. 603/547-3497). This 400-acre park is a gem for car campers and geology buffs. The park was profoundly shaped by glaciers during the last Ice Age, and eskers, bogs, kames, and other intriguing geological formations may be spotted by knowing eyes (or ask a ranger). For more sedentary pleasures, the park boasts a small beach along scenic Otter Lake. Also, a 900-foot beach is set aside for campers who avail themselves of the 252 wooded, well-spaced campsites. On weekends, the campground bustles with activity; midweek, it's a peaceable oasis. The day-use fee for the park, as at all New Hampshire state parks, is $3 per person.
The entire region offers fine terrain for leisurely bike rides, though many hills require some huffing and puffing. Rentals are available in Peterborough at The Eclectic Bicycle, 109 Grove St. (tel. 603/924-9797).
