With the winter season in full effect, most of the New Hampshire residents are already looking forward to the warmer temperatures of spring. Every county is chalk full of activities to do and things to see especially during the spring in the Monadnock Region. Even with the melting snow, the quiet corner of New Hampshire still resembles “storybook New Hampshire” with its flowers in bloom and its trees being tapped for maple sugar.
Here are our seven favorite things to do during the spring in the Monadnock Region once New Hampshire begins to unthaw:
1. Visit a Sugar Shack
There is nothing quite like New Hampshire’s fresh maple syrup. Explore the region’s sugar shacks beginning as early as mid-February. Once the weather conditions permit, sap begins to flow from the trees and the maple syrup process begins. Most sugar shacks show you the process of how the maple syrup is made and even offer breakfast all day to go along with the pure syrup. Click here to view a list of the sugar shacks in the region.
2. Ride the Chesire Rails to Trails
Walk, bike or horseback ride the 42-mile trail running from Keene to Winchester. This is the second longest rail trail in New Hampshire and offers many other settings that other trails around the state do not. One of the best views on the trail is the Stone Arch Bridge that crosses the Ashuelot River. But, like any spring weather statewide, spring in the Monadnock Region can get a little muddy so make sure to dress accordingly.
3. Tour a Covered Bridge
Being one of New Hampshire’s most scenic tourist destinations, the Monadnock Region has many covered bridges that visitors can walk through. This region is home to the Coombs Bridge, the West Swanzey (Thompson) Bridge pictured left, the Slate Bridge and many more that offer a rich history of New Hampshire. Click here to view all of the covered bridges, and even stone arch bridges, you can visit during the spring in the Monadnock Region.
4. Hike Pack Monadnock
Located in Peterborough within the Miller State Park, Pack Monadnock Mountain is the highest peak of the Wapack Range. Meaning “little isolated summit,” the hike up Pack Monadnock is about 1.5 to 2 miles one-way with a fire tower on the summit that offers panoramic views of the surrounding scenery. On very clear days, views of Mt. Washington and Boston skyscrapers can be seen.
5. Visit a Gorge
The scenery along the 13-acre loop of the Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area, pictured at the top of the page, is unlike any other. The cascading waterfalls of Wilde Brook and the height of the gorge itself are an amazing sight. The low-intensity hike can be done in under an hour but you will most likely be stopping to enjoy the natural views.
6. Pay Homage to the Troops
Leave a stone as a tribute to honor the Americans who have lost their lives serving the Nation at the Cathedral of the Pines. Also known as the ‘Altar of the Nation’ for an outdoor place of worship, the site was built in 1945 and was recognized in 1957 by Congress as a National Memorial. The site offers spectacular views of Mount Monadnock as well as stone tributes from every president that has served since Harry S. Truman.
7. Dine at the Enchanting Cottage that Inspired the Illustrations for “Little Red Riding Hood”
Built in 1786, Pickity Place is home to a 
gourmet restaurant, a “Little Red Riding Hood” museum, a gift shop, a greenhouse and many gardens surrounding the dwelling that will be in bloom during the spring in the Monadnock Region. This is an attraction for the whole family with fresh lunch menu served daily with ingredients from its many gardens.
