Fort & Nottingham Mts, Epsom NH


• 4-star hikes
• 2 to 7 mile options
• Easy & Moderate | Gain 140 to 1,170 feet
• Epsom, NH | Merrimack Region
.   NH County Challenge  
A tranquil wetland bordered by dense forest, featuring a mix of leafy deciduous and evergreen trees. Lily pads float on the still water, and a large fallen tree trunk stretches across the foreground. Mid-scene, a beaver lodge made of sticks rises from the pond. The sky above is partly cloudy with patches of blue, casting soft light over the natural setting.
Looking beyond Mill Pond towards Fort Mt.

Epsom Town Forest occupies a cluster of low mountains east of Concord. Accessible from the trailhead just half a mile down the unpaved Tarlton Road, a network of walking trails includes a short loop to the picturesque Mill Pond, a jaunt over the blueberry-covered summit of Neville Peak, and hikes to further destinations that include Fort and Nottingham Mountains.

Among Epsom Town Forest's trails, look out for old stone-wall lined cellar holes where foundations mark forgotten settlements, and consider exploring several historical features including the cemetery, and the foundations of the old saw mill. Trail conditions in this park are easy when compared with the usual terrain of rocks and roots - expect few moderate sections.
⬤ 4★ Mill Pond Loop   1.7 mi part-loop, easy, gain 140 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions
⬤ 4★ Nottingham & Neville Mts   4.4 mi loop, moderate, gain 730 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions
⬤ 4★ Fort & Nottingham Mts   6.7 mi loop, moderate, gain 1,170 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?
 P  Free parking

⬤ 4★ Mill Pond Loop
This short loop winds through shaded forest along the Mill Sluice Foot Trail to the picturesque pond with views towards the 1,391 foot tall Fort Mountain which is crowned by a prominent metal communications tower. On a counter-clockwise loop this route will lead you onto Mill Pond Trail and a return back on the quiet and traffic-free unpaved Tarlton Road.

Person in red shirt and backpack walks along a sun-dappled forest trail lined with ferns and tall trees.
Leaving the trailhead for the central service track.

⬤ 4★ Nottingham & Neville Mts
Choose a 3.1 mile and 540 foot elevation gain Neville Mountain route down Tarleton Road and return on the Neville Ridge Scout Foot Trail, or add an out-and-back spur to Nottingham Mountain for a total of 4.4 miles and 730 feet. Neville Mountain features a rounded granite-capped summit that's partially overgrown with blueberry bushes, featuring some good westerly views.

Nottingham Mountain doesn't have much to offer in the way of distant views, but it does feature the remains of an old chimney, which now looks more like a sacrificial altar of sorts. Though marginally shorter in height than neighboring Fort Mountain, this peak is in fact the tallest natural feature in Rockingham County. A fact of trivia, but of some importance to hikers looking to complete the New Hampshire County Peaks Challenge - see link below.

Calm pond with lily pads, surrounded by dense green foliage and trees under a partly cloudy sky.
You don't have to hike far before views come into focus.

⬤ 4★ Fort & Nottingham Mts  
The Fort Mountain Vista Trail that begins on the western side of Mill Pond is a recent addition to the town forest, and so new that it wasn't on our map and we had to add it to Open Street Map (and AllTrails) ourselves. This official route is still fairly easy to navigate, as it winds through forest on the flanks of Fort Mountain. Watch out for the junction for Vista Loop Trail that climbs up to a couple of viewpoint spurs.

The actual summit of Fort Mountain is worth visiting as it offers some additional scenic views. However, as it is outside Epsom Town Forest and its trail system there is only an informal route to reach it. We identified and mapped this route from the westernmost vista point and recommend sticking to it to minimize damage to the area.

 MAP PACK:  NH County Peak Challenge  Visit the highest points and prominences in every county. Navigate with help from our free smartphone download, featuring trail reviews and offline route finding.

Person in red shirt and black pants stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking a vast forested landscape. The foreground features textured rocks and a fallen tree trunk, while the background reveals rolling hills blanketed in dense green trees beneath a mostly clear sky with scattered clouds. Sunlight highlights patches of vegetation, suggesting a peaceful midday hike and a moment of quiet contemplation.
Views from Fort Mt, looking towards Nottingham Mt.

A weathered stone fireplace ruin stands in a sunlit clearing surrounded by trees and brush. The crumbling structure, built of rough stones and mortar, is partially overgrown with grass and vegetation. The surrounding landscape features rocky ground and green foliage under a bright blue sky.
Former fireplace or forest altar on Nottingham Mt?

Split image showing two outdoor scenes. Left: a forest trail winding through tall trees with green foliage, sunlight filtering through the canopy, and a trail marker painted orange on a tree trunk. Right: a close-up of a small grey mouse with white paws and a pointed snout, sitting among dry leaves, twigs, and pine cones on the forest floor.
Most trails are single track. | Forest critter.

Tangents:
• Official: Epsom Town Forest Map (PDF)
• AllTrails Public: Notts & Neville Peak, Neville Peak, Mill Pond


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