The Almost Complete Guide to Monadnock
Named after Mount Monadnock, a towering mountain that measures
3,165 feet above sea level, Monadnock the region is composed of a jumble of
small New England towns sewn together by picturesque farmland, beautiful state
parks and lots of lakes. Outdoor activities abound in this part of
south-central New Hampshire all year long and best of all it is a place where
both strident athletes and sightseers just taking in the scenery can find
happiness.
As your Discovery Map shows, Mt. Monadnock ranks as the most frequently
climbed mountain in North America. Yes, indeed. And on a worldwide scale, most
rate it about as popular as Japan’s Mt. Fuji. Can you imagine that! The amazing
panoramic views you enjoy from many vistas on the climb–and certainly at the
summit– are some of the primary reasons for Mt. Monadnock’s appeal. On a clear
day, you can see as far as Boston. Plus, you can access this monolith from
numerous trailheads located in several towns, including Jaffrey. There’s a good
route for just about everyone, since the degree of difficulty ranges from easy
to––well, let’s just say better be in shape for that one. Mt. Monadnock is not
the tallest peak within the White Mountains of New Hampshire, but it certainly
is the most famous.
Almost as exciting as Mt. Monadnock itself is Mt. Monadnock State
Park, a beauty of a place that consists of more than forty miles of hiking
trails, a dozen Nordic ski trails, a visitor’s center and also a camp store.
There’s everything you need to have a memorable communion with nature.
Indeed, you’ll find a plethora of state parks within the region,
most of which have the necessary amenities for daytime- and overnight
camping-fun dialed in. Most also have great scenic drives in case you choose to
enjoy the nature from the comfort of a vehicle. Miller State Park, the oldest
state park in New Hampshire, can be accessed from Peterborough. Pisgah State
Park in Swanzey is the oldest. And Rhododendron State Park in Fitzwilliam, just
south of Troy, is surely one of the most unique. Rhododendrons bloom from July
through the end of summer within the sixteen acres of this tranquil park, a
colorful vision accessible to all, including people with disabilities.
Being outdoors makes you hungry and fortunately the Monadnock
region offers all kinds of eateries and food shops to satisfy just about every
taste and budget. Up in Walpole you can delight in European-styled, handmade
chocolates at L.A. Burdick. Thank goodness they also have an online boutique!
The monsieur behind this brand is originally un chocolatier,
however, he went one step further here by opening The Restaurant at Burdick’s,
a bistro that’s worth checking out. He also own Walpole Grocery, a food shop
stocked with fabulous wines, cheeses and other delicious provisions.
All the way down in the far righthand corner of your DM map,
you’ll see Kimball Farm Ice Cream Restaurant. Yum-MEE. For over eighty years,
this revered establishment has been supplying locals and visitors alike with
some of the creamiest ice cream around. Best of all it comes in some forty
flavors. They serve up fried seafood, too, and their lobster roll is as good as
you what you find on the coast. The only downside is that they’re only open
from mid-spring to mid-fall.
Harlow’s Pub in Peterborough stands out as a favorite gathering
place for good brews, good pub fare and great live music many nights of the
week. (There’s even an open-mic night on Wednesdays.) Or, you can just hang at
their iconic wooden bar and sip a frosty.
Having fun outside can be about more than hiking a mountain or
strolling through a park. You can also go out and pick your own berries. Best
to do this at Monadnock Berries rather than out in the wild. Spend a delightful
moment picking your own plump raspberries and other fruits of the bush on a beguiling
property at the base of Mt. Monadnock. Now they even have a beer garden on
their premises. Granite Roots Brewing sells a bushel-full of traditional brews
and craft beers imbued with a hint of fruit from their farm.
The region is brimming with originality and tradition. New
England Sweetwater Farm & Distillery is a newer establishment in
Winchester, an old town that was incorporated in 1753. A visit and tasting here
offers the perfect wind-down from a day of touring within the Monadnock region.
Kick back, sip some spirits and start planning your day for tomorrow, since
this little summary only represents a fraction of all there is to experience
within this beautiful part of the Northeast.