Burns Farm is conservation land managed by the Beaver Brook Association in Milford, NH. Attached to the Hitchiner Town Forest, there are some beautiful trails to explore throughout this space. This was our second attempt to hike the storywalk trail – find out about our misadventure here – because we went the wrong way the first time! Back to try again, we did find the storywalk this time and snuck in an easy hike during after-school hours.
Parking for the Burns Farm Loop
The main parking for the Burns Farm trailhead is off of Burns Road. The storywalk trial is down the hill and on the other side of Mason Road. You can park at the trailhead and walk down the hill or pull over onto the side of Mason Road. I didn’t super like the idea of leaving my car on the small shoulder but when I pulled into the trailhead parking I realized that would mean dragging little people back up the hill after the hike. It was me or the car and I chose me.
My Long Winded Stroller Assessment
The path is mostly a pine needle covered, well maintained trail. There are a few narrower parts and a good spattering of roots, enough that I can’t recommend this as a stroller-friendly trail. That said, if you really had to do it and have a rugged jogging stroller, it is passable. (Singles only, doubles is a no-go.)
This little hillside is the worst of the trail from a stroller perspective. A lot of bumpy roots and the trail kind of tips sideways. I’ve been through the phase where you have an old toddler that can kind of make it the whole walk. They can’t keep up with older siblings but would be missing out if restricted to a carrier for the whole jaunt. In that situation, personally I would have brought my jogging stroller on this one just to save my weak arms from having to repeatedly scoop up the lagging little and catch up. Anyone smaller/younger, I recommend a carrier/baby-wearing for this one.
The Storywalk: Burns Farm Loop->Kettle Hole Trail
The trail is a nice easy walk through the woods and around the edge of a meadow. We went in blind with the strategy of “look around for the storyboards and hope for the best”. It was straight ahead from the entrance and well marked throughout the forest. The story starts out on the Burns Loop Trail then cuts over to the Kettle Hole Trail to make a small loop.
From the looks of the map, my GPS seems to have been having a moment during this walk. I think the distance is a little overestimated here and should be closer to a 3/4 mile.
A portion of the walk takes you out of the forest along the edge of the meadow. It was a really pretty view and a nice change to walk in such a large, open space before the trail turned back into the woods.
After-school Hike
The crew that was on this hike tends to be slow investigators. I have often expected All Trails to pop up with an “Are You Okay?” prompt. The spread out story really kept them moving on this one. In this busy September season, I was delighted to be in and out of the forest in an hour with a good nature moment slipped into the day.
Burns Farm Loop: Quick Facts
| Parking | Unpaved lot at trailhead or park on the shoulder of Mason Rd |
| Stroller Friendly | Not stroller friendly |
| Bathroom | No bathroom |
| Storywalk | BBA updates the story regularly. You can follow them on Facebook for new story updates. |
| Trail details | 3/4 mile loop trail through shady woods and open meadow. Easy walk with roots to navigate. |
| Official Trail Map | Beaver Brook Association’s Trail Map |
| Address | Burns Rd Trailhead, Milford, NH |
Learn more about Beaver Brook’s Hollis location with its nature play area, story walk and stroller friendly trails.
