Loverens Mill Cedar Swamp

Length: 3.0 miles out-and-back with loop

Difficulty (click for info): Beginner

Elevation Gain: minimal

Rating (click for info): 5/10

Type: Atlantic White Cedar Swamp

Driving Directions:
Trailhead and parking area are on Lovern Mill Road in Antrim, NH. Lovern Mill Road leaves Rt. 9 4.0 miles east of Rt. 123 and 2.0 miles west of where it joins Rt. 31. The parking area is on the right, 300 feet up the road, while the trailhead is a forest road on the left, 150 feet past the parking area.

Trail Map

About the Hike:
Fifty acres in size, Loverens Mill Cedar Swamp is the second largest of the few Atlantic White Cedar Swamps in NH. On your visit to the swamp, you can also follow this loop trail past several scenic spots along the North Branch of the Contoocook River. The trail starts on a wide dirt path by the river. After a short walk, you will come upon the remains of Loveren Mill. Continuing 1/4 mile down this forest road, you will find the Nature Conservancy's trailhead. Here, turn right onto Loveren's Trail through the woods. The trail leads through the woods and past some large boulders to the cedar swamp. A boardwalk leads 200 feet through the mossy environment to a stand of cedar trees. Although the boardwalk into the swamp is very short, as you walk the trail beside it, you will see how far the swamp actually extends.

In 0.3 miles, the trail forks. The loop can be taken either way, but the recommended direction is clockwise. The loop is 1.4 miles long. After a short walk through the woods, the trail again meets a the North Branch of the Contoocook River. The trail turns here to parallel it, passing a rock viewpoint, on which you can walk out and see the river. Continuing on the trail, a spur leads out to another viewpoint called Lookout Point. This viewpoint looks over the area where the cedar swamp meets the river. After this, it's a short walk through the woods back to the fork.

Printable directions page