As I have mentioned before, one of my goals for this blog is to develop a list of the top ten ecotourism destinations in New Hampshire, focusing primarily in the Northern Forest Region. I am looking for suggestions and am open to new ideas. I have lived in New Hampshire for over 20 years and am still surprised to find new destinations that I never even knew existed.
Recently while researching some of the different opportunities for recreation on the Northern Forest, I came across a website that talked about The Northern Forest Canoe Trail. This paddling trail traverses 4 states and 1 Canadian Provence for a total length of 740 miles. It also passes through 45 towns along the way.
The Initiatives outlined in the mission of the Northern Forest Canoe trail support the definition of Ecotourism outlined in my last post. Details about all the goals of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail can be found at the following link: http://northernforestcanoetrail.org . I am intrigued by this trail and am looking forward to traversing part of the trail in the future.
If anyone has paddled any part of this trail I am looking for first hand information about the trail. Also post any other destinations you want to share that fall within the bounds of ecotourism definition.
Posted by Thaddeus Guldbrandsen on November 7, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Good question. There are a lot of great places and experiences in rural New Hampshire and the Northern Forest. Don’t forget the Appalachian Trail, the Cohos Trail (http://www.cohostrail.org/), the Rock Estate (http://www.therocks.org/), Weeks State Park (http://www.nhstateparks.org/state-parks/alphabetical-order/john-wingate-weeks-historic-site/)…any number of state parks, trails, peaks, lakes, and rivers. I’ll try to come back and share some more. And don’t forget to look just across the border in Coaticook, Quebec. Great stuff there too!
Posted by Jodi on November 7, 2009 at 4:51 pm
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail looks incredible. Have you done much research into the Appalachian Trail as it passes through New Hampshire? My husband and I are avid hikers, but recently, I’ve heard rumors that the popularity of the Appalachian Trail has brought a certain degree of commercialism to it, and thus, hurt the surrounding environment. Do you know anything about this?
Thanks so much for your blog; it’s great!
Jodi
Posted by mariecallahan on November 18, 2009 at 6:50 pm
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail has many times been compared to the Appalachian Trail as a sort of “water version” of the AT. It is interesting that you mentioned the AT may be causing a negative impact on the surrounding environment. Are you speaking about just the natural environment, or the cultural environment as well?
I will try and find some more information on this and blog back about it.
Posted by Thaddeus Guldbrandsen on November 16, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Hey, check out Coos County’s first comprehensive tourism website, http://www.nhgrand.com
Posted by mariecallahan on November 18, 2009 at 6:51 pm
The top 51 things to do list is full of good suggestions!