Hidden away in the forest at Beaver Brook is their own special Fitness Trail. Don’t make the mistake of thinking it isn’t for you because its intended purpose is a grown-up’s workout. Think of it as a playground sprinkled along the trail!
Beaver Brook Fitness Trail: The trail details
The 1 mile route is stroller friendly, toddler friendly and group friendly. It is almost entirely wide, maintained paths with good visibility to watch those who run ahead. There is an initial hill at the start of the fitness trail but if you have a jogging stroller and it can do that, you are good to go. (See picture below.)
The beauty of this trail isn’t in the distance covered, it is absolutely in time spent. Stop at each station to explore and see what your crew does. If you are struggling with hesitant hiking buddies, this is a good trail to try out because much like storybook trails, there is something to look forward to around every corner that keeps them going. Take your time and let them jump or climb until they’re ready to adventure to the next stop!
Add a little pizazz…if you want
If you want to be extra or just like to have ideas in your back pocket, bring your own plan for what to do at each station. You could do a yoga pose, practice mindfulness, or add in your own exercises. There are seven stations so get seven envelopes and put seven things to do in them. Invite friends until there are seven kids and give each one an envelope. Open an envelope at each station. The possibilities are endless.
You also don’t have to be extra, you can just go. In order to map the trail for ya’ll I packed up my favorite three year old and some goldfish. We got to see Beaver Brook’s Mr. John driving a utility vehicle, found an owl house and a really big spider. It was fantastic.
Fitness Trail: Your first left off Cow Lane
From the Maple Hill Farm parking lots, head out down Cow Lane, the main path leading into the forest. Watch for a sign on your left directing you up the hill to the start of the Fitness Trail. Consider this your warm up! The hill is the hardest part of the hike, take your time if you have a stroller or a tiny walker, use it for some nice stretch lunges if you want to be fancy.
Beaver Brook Fitness Trail stations
The first stop at the top of the hill is a post for stretching. Props to those who made the effort to put it there, no one stretches enough, do we? Take the invitation and do some stretches regardless of how fitnessy you plan to get!
Next is the pull up bar. Grown up’s this is where you practice lifting with your knees: lift those kiddos up and challenge them see how long they can hang on!
The sit up station is next. This is also a great “sit and snack” station and/or a good warm up for the jump box that is further down the trail.
When you come to the push ups bar, ask your crew what they think it is for! There’s always room for imagination, especially before anyone tells you what something is “supposed to be.”
A great one for all ages is the jumping box. Cleverly placed on a hill, each side of the platform gives a different level of challenge. Let those littles work hard to climb up, let those big kids step or jump up and anything else in between!
The second to last station is the balance beam and it is a great one if you are with a group because there is plenty of room. Everyone can give it a go, no waiting!
And finally, the stair climb. We’ve been on this trail many, many times and this always seems to be the favorite. It is a great option both for letting your new climbing crawler check out stairs and for letting bigger kids get a last jolt of energy out.
The One Mile Loop
On the map, Beaver Brook’s Fitness Trail is located along Maple Hill Ridge Trail and Wigwam Trail. At the end of Wigwam, you will be back on Cow Lane and can loop back to the parking lot to make a perfect 1 mile route.
If you would like to extend your hike, Tepee Trail is on your way back along Cow Lane. On this detour you will find a short walk down to a small bridge with a little stream of water running under it. This is a fun place to play in the water.
Don’t miss the chance to also visit the Nature Play Area tucked into the trees at the top of the hill.
Beaver Brook Fitness Trail: Quick Facts
| One mile loop trail |
| Unpaved parking lot |
| Trail is jogging stroller friendly |
| Porta-potty in the parking lot |
| Beaver Brook Association’s Trail Map |
| Address: 117 Ridge Rd, Hollis, NH |
Nearby Resources
| Hollis Social Library | Bathroom inside (Closed Sundays) and a playground outside |
| Buckley’s Market & Cafe | Coffee, breakfast/lunch (eat in or carry out), bathroom |
| Market Place Diner | Sit down breakfast or lunch, bathroom |
| Hollis Village Grocery | Convenience store drinks, snacks |
