Berry Hill to Old Country Road Loop

Total Miles
3.2

Technical Rating

Easy

Best Time

Spring, Summer, Fall

Trail Type

Full-Width Road

Accessible By

Trail Overview

This great loop trail runs on Berry Hill and Old Country Class 6 roads in Bridgewater, NH. The trail starts and ends at the historic Bridgewater Town House (1806). Enter the access gate behind the Town House and begin an ascent up Berry Hill Road. The trail is fairly wet and covered with loose rocks. After about 0.5 mi., follow Berry Hill Road to the left and begin a descent. This descent is the most difficult portion of the loop, mostly because it is a muddy downhill with numerous water berms crossing the trail. Many of the berms have deep gullies and an immediate steep bump-up that requires a very gentle drop into the gully and careful climb up and over the berm. The downsides of the berms are also quite steep dropoffs, so it is likely that you will drag your skid plates several times on the descent. There are about 20 of these berms on the Berry Hill downhill portion. At the bottom of Berry Hill Road it intersects with Dick Brown Road, a maintained gravel road. Follow the loop around and turn right onto Old Country Road. This portion of the loop is a gentle ascent, with mostly muddy sections but not as many of those steep berms. After approximately 0.6 mi., turn left back onto Berry Hill Road to head back down to the starting point. This loop meanders through thick, old-growth forest. Be respectful of these trails as the abutting property owners help to maintain them, so tread lightly and wave "thank you" as you pass! Cell service on this loop is spotty.

Photos of Berry Hill to Old Country Road Loop

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Difficulty

This difficulty rating is primarily based on the downhill section of Berry Hill Road, which contains numerous steep water berms with deep gullies next to them. Stock vehicles will bottom out on these berms. If you have a stock vehicle, consider avoiding the Berry Hill downhill portion of this loop.

History

The "Old Country Road" in Bridgewater, New Hampshire, may be the "Old Bay Path," an important road in the town's early history. While "Old Country Road" is mentioned in online property records related to Bridgewater, the search results provide limited detailed historical information about the origins and development of the current "Old Country Road" in Bridgewater, New Hampshire. However, based on the description of the "Old Bay Path" and its alternative name "Country Road" in early records, it is likely that "Old Country Road" today is a descendant of this historical route. Many early roads in the area, including this one, were based on Native American footpaths. Roads were often built along these existing trails.

Technical Rating

Status Reports

gate was tied closed with rope

About 30% of the loop is well graded road but the rest is rocky and a lot of fun. The trail was dry but would get muddy when rainy. Great beginner level rock crawling. Spotter not needed but was helpful in a couple of spots.

Fun little loop. this time of year it was all dried up, but you can see where it would have been muddy in the spring time with the ruts still showing. Most of the entire loop could be completed by stock rigs with no effort. Half the loop is actually a dirt road that connects back in to the trail by the pond. If you enter the trail here its probably the most challenging/technical part of the entire trail. Uphill, relatively steep grade, and what I would describe as a dried up creek bed with larger rocks where you have to pick your line.