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Originally Posted by chuckdog
Hello, Are there any good hiking trails within a 20 to 30 minute ride from Meredith that are easy for adults and 9 and 10 year old kids that would provide a nice scenic view of Winnepeasukee or other surrounding lakes? Thanks in advance!
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I, too, recommend the Lakes Region Conservation Trust trails at Castle in the Clouds. For the easiest route with a lake view, combine Oak Ridge Trail and Turtleback Mountain Trail.
Go up and across Oak Ridge Trail (the trailhead is to the right of Shannon Pond) to the overlook, then down Turtleback Mountain Trail for an easy loop of about 2 miles. From the overlook you can see Lake Winnipesaukee, the Belknap Range (there's a sign identifying the peaks), and the Castle. On the way down Turtleback Mountain Trail, there's a stone foundation of an old guest house that's worth the side trip, as well as a spot with labeled castings of animal tracks and a short, side loop with more track castings for kids to find and identify.
You can loop in either direction, but Oak Ridge Trail is a quiet woods trail that may "feel more like hiking" to the kids. Turtleback Mountain Trail is an wide, former carriage road with lots of switchbacks.
If you feel like more exploring after the loop, the Brook Walk offers multiple waterfalls within about a half mile.
Although Mount Roberts (5 miles) and Bald Knob (4-6 miles depending on your route) are great hikes, they're much bigger time commitments.