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Ammonoosuc River, Covered Bridge, and Waterfall
Destinations:
Ammonoosuc River, Bath Covered Bridge, Waterfall
Trail:
Ammonoosuc River Snowmobile Trail - Western Bath to Bath Center
Region:
NH - Central West
Location:
Bath, NH
Rating:
Easy
Features:
River, covered bridge, waterfall
Distance:
3.4 miles
Elevation Gain:
Minimal
Hiking Time:
Actual:
1:25
Typical:
1:40
Outing Duration:
Typical:
2:30
Hike Date:
Friday, 12/15/2006
Last Updated:
4/26/2008
Weather:
Sunny/cloudy, 40 degrees
Author:
Webmaster
Route Summary
Follow the snowmobile trail along Ammonoosuc River west of Bath to the Bath covered bridge and waterfall. Return via the same route.
Place
Split
Miles
Total
Miles
Split
Time
Total
Time
Western parking area
0.0
0.0
0:00
0:00
Bridge
0.5
0.5
0:13
0:13
Bath Covered Bridge and Waterfall
1.2
1.7
0:30
0:43
Bridge
1.2
2.9
0:30
1:23
Western parking area
0.5
3.4
0:12
1:25
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Trail Guide
Most of this trail is an old railroad bed that's now used as a snowmobile and ATV trail. The trail is wide and level except for one hill.
From the parking area, head down the obvious trail with the river on your left. Through the bare trees the river is visible for most of this section of trail.
During the summer, there can sometimes be tall grass and wildflowers crowding in this first half-mile section of trail. But since this report covers my December walk, there are no wildflowers, and surprisingly, no snow either.
After a half-mile, pass under the bridge that crosses the river, and climb up the steep but short trail to the right in order to get to the bridge's surface. Turn right at the top of the hill to cross the bridge and then continue along the trail which is now a wide and clear former railroad bed.
The trail roughly follows the river with woods and fields oftentimes intervening. The river is on the right, and sometimes you can look across the river and the fields that may be present on either side, and see Route 302 and the cars going by.
About a mile into the hike, a tributary (Childs Brook, I believe) feeds into the river from the left-hand side of the trail. You can hear the roaring of the falls that occur further upstream. If you drive from the Bath covered bridge, up River Road for about 0.7 mile, there will be a small pulloff on the left. From here you can explore a little gorge and the falls that extend a bit beyond either side of the road.
Eventually you will hear the roar of the falls beneath the Bath covered bridge. You can walk to the right off the trail down onto a little beach that gives a nice view of the falls. On the opposite side of the trail, a short path leads uphill to the road (River Road) which gives access to the covered bridge.
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Driving Directions
There are two trailheads.
Western Trailhead:
This is the trailhead I started at for this particular hike.
It is located on Rt. 302 in Bath. It is 2 miles west of Bath's center.
There is a large parking lot just west of some power lines that cross the road at the top of a hill (heading west you go up a hill, cross under some power lines, and then the parking area is at the bottom of the hill on the right).
Note:
This parking area is not plowed in the winter. For winter access, use the parking area below.
Bath Center Trailhead:
This parking area is near the covered bridge in Bath's center.
From Rt. 302, enter the downtown area and cross the readily visible covered bridge; it spans the Ammonoosuc River that runs behind the downtown buildings.
On the far side of the bridge is a small parking area on the right, just past a minor road that goes off to the right.
After parking the car, walk down to the bridge and turn right to go up a road that starts immediately before the bridge.
Partway up the hill, there will be an access path to the left. Turn left and then sort of make a U-turn and descend the trail to the river
You are now on the snowmobile trail. Turn right to follow the route for this hike.
More Ammonoosuc River Trail Reports
Ammonoosuc River via Ammonoosuc River Snowmobile Trail - Eastern Bath to Bath Center on 12/24/2006
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