Come fall, you’ve probably roamed Carter Hill Orchard to fill up on pick-your-own apples and blueberries, or maybe you’ve stopped in for cider doughnuts and pies.
The expansive farm in west Concord is worth visiting other times of the year, too. There, in addition to picking up some of the bounty of the season, you can also soak in some of the best views in the city.
You’ll find about two miles of fairly easy trails that snake along the historic property, which once belonged to the Abbott family. (Not the Abbots of Abbot-Downing fame.)
Your 90-minute walk will take you past the Macoun, MacIntosh and Cortland apple trees that make this property so well known in the area. You’ll also get a sweeping view of pristine Penacook Lake, which serves as the city’s water source.
The hike circles back to the parking lot, where you’ll see a viewing platform that’s popular with bird watchers from across the area. From on high, you also get majestic views of 19 mountains, the clearest of which is nearby Mount Kearsarge. Each fall the New Hampshire Audubon uses the site as a raptor observatory. If you bring your binoculars and hang out for a bit, you can help contribute to the count. The data collected starting in September is submitted to the Hawk Migration Association of North America.
But no need to wait until fall. Many birds are awaiting your springtime visit.
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