Barrington Town Forest: Public Trails
Protection: Town Owned Land
Description: A 48-acre tract dedicated to the provision of recreational trails, conservation education and wildlife habitat protection. Several hiking paths of varying lengths, see maps.
Acreagae: 48
THE TOWN FOREST
Text Copyright 2008 James H. Schulz, Portsmouth, NH
This description is taken from a booklet describing certain trails in Barrington that was last published in 2008. The author of the guide was approached in October, 2010 for permission to put its contents on the Web site for the Town of Barrington. Readers and users of the guide should keep in mind that the nature and condition of the trails discussed will in some cases be different from the description in the booklet. The information in the guide was correct at the time of initial publication. However, the author and the Town of Barrington take no responsibility for trail- walking problems arising from changes since its initial publication.
The Barrington Town Forest is a 48-acre wooded area dedicated to the provision of recreational trails, conservation education, wildlife habitat protection. In addition, the Town has preserved this land for growing forest products, protecting the area’s watershed, wetland conservation, and the protection of unique plant communities
Volunteers have provided thousands of dollars worth of labor, materials, equipment, and professional expertise to create the system of trails, bridges, and signs that exist on the property. Special recognition is given to Boy Scout Troop 358, which contributed hundreds of hours constructing trails and structures.
The Forest is open to foot traffic and non-motorized bikes only. Wheeled vehicles (except for wheelchairs and bicycles), motorized vehicles, and horses are not permitted in the Forest.
Cross country skiing, snow shoeing, bird watching, and recreational hiking are encouraged.
The trail from the parking lot to the Teaching Center and the Beaver Trail Loop has been improved to accommodate people with walking disabilities. If you have a disability which requires further special accommodation to use the Forest, please contact the Town Offices.
Directions to the Town Forest: From the intersection of Routes 9 and 125 in Barrington: Take Route 9 West. Go 4.5 miles to Swain Road. Turn left onto Swain Road. Go 1.1 miles on Swain Road (hard-top) and then another 0.4 miles on dirt to the driveway into the Town Forest parking lot (on the right). The lot is hard to see from the road; it is about 150 yards beyond a white with red trim manufactured home on the right and opposite a grey house on the left.
From the intersection of Routes 4 and 202/9 in Northwood: Take Route 202/9. Go 4.8 miles to Swain Road. Turn right onto Swain Road and follow directions above.
Trail Description and Direction: A map of the Town Forest is provided in this booklet. Also, at the Town Forest entrance you will usually find a Trail Guide, which includes the map and a self-guided nature trail guide (reproduced here) that points out some of the more interesting things in the forest: Take the Beaver Trail Loop to the bridge by the beaver dam. Station 1 is on the far side of the bridge, where the Deer Trail begins. Follow the Deer Trail to visit 10 Nature Trail stops.
