Smarts Brook to Atwood Pond

Start at the Smarts Brook Trailhead on NH‑49 in Thornton, following the main Smarts Brook Trail east as it climbs gently alongside the stream. After a short distance, take a connector south onto the Bridges Trail—a steeper singletrack through a mix of forest roads and informal trails toward the Atwood Pond vicinity. This section involves unmarked connectors that don’t appear on standard hiking maps, so strong navigation skills and a GPS app are essential. After Atwood Pond, pick up Instant Classic, a narrow trail that decends gradually northwest through wooded terrain and reconnects with the central network. Turn left onto the Tri‑Town Trail before merging back into the main Smarts Brook Trail near the trailhead. This route travels through a complex web of MTB and ski trails in the southern White Mountains and rewards well-prepared hikers with solitude, moderate elevation changes, and a taste of the region’s varied backcountry terrain.