Cole Pond Trail – Enfield, NH
Up until a few weeks ago, Lake Solitude had been our go-to short hike in New Hampshire…that was before we discovered Cole Pond in Enfield. While there are minimal views along the way, the crystal clear pond at the end of the trail is equally rewarding (and more refreshing). The hike itself is not long or strenuous; it’s only about 2 miles round-trip and not particularly steep, so it’s family (and puppy) – friendly.
Trail Summary
Distance: 2 miles (out and back)
Elevation Gain: 364 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Blazes: Yellow
Trail Map: AllTrails
Winter Hiking: Read post
Dog Friendly: On leash (watch out for porcupines!)
Getting There
There are two primary routes to Cole Pond, but the main trailhead is located on Bog Road in Enfield, NH. If you’re coming from Southern NH/Massachusetts, you’ll take Route 89-North before getting of on George’s Mill Road. You’ll then take 114 through West Springfield where you’ll bear right onto George Hill Road (not to be confused with George’s Mill). This will eventually take you to Bog Road where the trailhead is clearly marked on your left. If you’re coming from the Hanover, NH area you’ll take 89-South to Route 4A. Bog Road will be on your right and then the trailhead will be on your right on Bog Road. There is a small parking area near the trailhead but you can also very easily park along the road. The trail is located in the Henry Laramie Wildlife Management Area (called the Enfield Wildlife Management Area until 2011).
Read More: Best Hikes in the Dartmouth-Sunapee Region
The Hike
The hike begins by immediately crossing over a stream via a small footbridge.
After crossing the footbridge, the trail winds through the woods, gradually gaining 364 feet of elevation before reaching Cole Pond. There are a few small stream crossings and the trail can get extremely muddy in the spring, but for the most part, the hike is very manageable. We see young children on the trail almost every time we do this hike.
When the trail first reaches the pond, you will have the option to turn right or left. If you follow the trail to the left for a few minutes you will pass rocky outcropping on your left shortly before reaching a small clearing and rocky area along the shore. Here you will the remains of an old chimney that looks like it was once part of a cabin as well as an old metal rowboat that is quite literally held together by duct tape. This is a great place for a picnic, although it can be a popular spot in the summer so you may not have it all to yourself.
The pond is about 17 acres and is 59 feet deep at its deepest point. Despite being a small pond, the remote setting and crystal clear water make for an incredibly tranquil setting.
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You should expect the hike to the pond to take anywhere from 30 minutes – 1 hour one-way. There is technically a trail that goes all the way around the pond, but it is not well-maintained and it is so overgrown that we would not recommend trying it.
Alternate Route
While the hike described above is the most popular route to Cole Pond, there is also another (slightly longer) route that approaches the pond from the south that seems to be less trafficked. The trail begins at the end of Hilltop Place in Grantham, NH (just off of Road Round the Lake in Eastman). There is space to park at the end of the dead end road, but it’s important to note that an Eastman sticker/tag is required in order to park here, unlike the primary trailhead. The trail begins as a steep dirt road before branching to the right when you come to a trail sign/map.
The trail is well marked with blue blazes, and in the winter offers decent views of the surrounding hills and mountains. The views aren’t going to blow your mind, but when the leaves are off the trees, it’s definitely more scenic than the main route to Cole Pond. You can catch a glimpse of Mt. Sunapee through the trees early on. The trail is fairly steep at the beginning then traverses a soft ridgeline before meeting up with the yellow-blazed trail just before you get to the boardwalks. This round-trip hike to the pond is ~2.8 miles and gains ~390 feet of elevation.
Both trails are dog-friendly and the pond is open for fishing (fly-fishing only). The New Hampshire Fish & Game Department stocks the pond with about 2,000 brook trout from a helicopter every year in June and there are a few areas along the pond where there is enough room for a half-decent backcast. While we haven’t seen any wildlife near the trails, the area is home to moose, foxes, black bears, deer, turkeys, and a host of different species of birds.
Nearby Trails: