Dame Forest

Length: 0.9 miles out-and-back

Difficulty (click for info): Beginner

Elevation Gain: 40 feet (+80 feet on return)

Rating (click for info): 3/10

Driving Directions:
Trailhead and parking area are on Dame Road in Durham, NH. If approaching from the south, from the junction of Rts. 108 and 152 in Newmarket, drive north on Rt. 108 and turn right onto Bay Road. Continue 4.3 miles and take a left onto Dame Road. If approaching from the north, take Rt. 108 0.4 miles south from Main Street in Durham and turn left onto Durham Point Road. After 3.4 miles, turn right onto Dame Road. One mile down this road, park at the point where the Sweet Trail crosses the road, and there is a Forest Society property sign. There is very limited parking on the roadside here, so if you cannot find enough space, continue half a mile to a parking area on the left, where you can walk 0.6 miles on the Sweet Trail or back along the road to the Dame Forest. Click here for a Google map.

Trail map

About the Hike:
The Forest Society's Dame Forest is one of many conservation parcels around the popular Cy and Bobby Sweet Trail, which stretches four miles through the seacoast forest near Great Bay. Located around the northern end of the trail, the property provides nice walking trails with views of several marshes. From the Sweet Trail crossing and property sign, hike north into the Dame Forest. The path dips to cross a small brook, then leads uphill a bit and swings right at 0.15 miles. The trail continues 0.2 miles to a four-way trail junction, where you should take a left and follow the path 350 feet down to the edge of the most extensive marsh on the property.

Printable directions page