Hazen Trail

This walk is a rolling dirt trail that passes through forest and farmland above the Connecticut River, connecting Hartford just north of Wilder and Norwich.
Trail Activity
Hiking
Length
2.00 miles, One Way
Difficulty
Moderate
Towns
Hartford (VT), Norwich (VT)
Surface
Packed Earth/Dirt
Pets
Permitted on leash
Fees
No

Description

The Hazen Trail provides a 2-mile point-to-point or 4-mile out-and-back walk along a forested ridge that follows the Connecticut River between Norwich and Wilder. The trail has some ups and downs but mostly follows a wooded ridge with some good views above the Connecticut River. Near the south (Wilder) end, the trail passes along the edge of a couple of fields and passes under a power line a few times. A few hundred yards from the Wilder Trailhead, the Backwater Trail provides a short, 0.3-mile walk down to river level with a view upstream above the Wilder Dam.

The Hazen Trail proceeds north from the junction climbing up to a ridge along the river, crossing under power lines a few times and passing the Montshire Museum's "Pluto" marker. (At 3.6 billion miles from the sun, Pluto is the last stop on the Planet Walk that begins at the Montshire Museum. Note: Except for the Hazen Trail which is partly located on Montshire's property, Montshire Museum admission is required for use of their indoor and outdoor exhibits, including trails. No Dogs are allowed on Montshire Trails).

Continuing along the Hazen Trail, at the "Neptune" marker, the trail leaves the power lines. Although it remains mostly in the woods, the trail skirts a field or two in the Brookside Farm conservation area before  reaching "Uranus." 

At about 1.2 miles, the Hazen Trail intersects with a portion of the Planet Walk path leading to the Montshire Museum (fee for use area, admission sticker required to access Montshire Museum's outdoor exhibits and trails). Stay straight ahead for the Hazen Trail and continue for approximately 0.8 miles to the Montshire Road trailhead/parking area.

Other Information

Kiosks located at both the Wilder and Norwich ends and trail signs on the Montshire property provide information about the trail. The trail is well marked with signs and distances noted at most intersections; blue flagging currently marks the north end of the trail which was rerouted in partnership between Norwich Trails Committee and the Upper Valley Trails Alliance in 2013 (special thanks to community volunteers for their help, including the Green Mountain Club's O-Section and 2013 Upper Valley High School Trail Corps). Red blazes currently indicate the southern portion of the Hazen Trail.

Hazen Trail is open to leashed dogs.

If you are a Museum member, or you pay their daily admission fee, you may park in the Museum’s parking lot and explore their full Ridge Trail loop and other Museum trails; if you do so, check in at the admissions desk. Montshire Museum trails are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Note that the Montshire Museum does not allow pets, except for service dogs, on its property. 

Approximately half of the Hazen Trail is conserved by the Upper Valley Land Trust.

 

 

 

Trail Manager

Visit the following organizations for more information, contact:

Upper Valley Land Trust

Upper Valley Land Trust
19 Buck Road
Hanover, NH 03755
Phone: (603) 643-6626
jason.berard@uvlt.org
View website

Norwich Trails Committee

Norwich Trails Committee
1396 New Boston Road
Norwich, VT 05055
Phone: (802) 649-1048
Nick.Krembs@gmail.com

Hartford Conservation Commission

Hartford Conservation Commission
171 Bridge Street
White River Junction, VT 05001
Phone: (802) 295-3075
mosborn@hartford-vt.org
View website

Montshire Museum of Science

Montshire Museum of Science
1 Montshire Road
Norwich, VT 05055
Phone: (802) 649-2200
info@montshire.org
View website

Trail Tips

Leave What You Find
Avoid the introduction or transport of non-native species. Clean, drain, and dry water equipment when moving between water bodies.
Legend
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Trailhead Information

The trail is well maintained and can be started at either end.

From Wilder:

Trail access is immediately off US Rte 5 between I-91 exits 12 (Wilder) and 13 (Norwich). The dirt access road is 0.2 miles south of the I-91 overpass, just north of the village of Wilder and 0.5 miles south of the Dothan Brook School. A green post with 2393 marks the access. Park along this access road, but do not block the driveway gate.

A kiosk to the right of the parking area provides information about the Maanawaka Conservation Area where the Hazen Trail begins. From the kiosk, the trail rises up into the woods and, in about 100 yards, meets the junction of the Backwater and Hazen Trails. 

The Backwater Trail provides a short walk down along an inlet from the Connecticut River. Near the beginning of the trail, you can see remains of an old dam just off trail.

From Montshire Road:

The Montshire Road is the first left going uphill from the Ledyard Bridge between Hanover and Norwich. It is immediately east of the northbound exit ramp from I-91, exit 13.

Park at the signed trailhead parking (for 3 to 4 cars) on Montshire Road just beyond the Montshire Museum sign and driveway entrance. Walk a short distance beyond the parking area and you'll see the trail entrance and information kiosk.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
caecias
August 27, 2022
I hiked Hazen this summer. Very nice trail. It opens up and gives you some views when you're under the power lines, including a few views of the river. It's wide, well marked, and clearly frequently used. Most of it is in forest other than the sections through the power line clearings, however there are a few small places where you're walking in a tunnel of vegetation and one section where you're walking along a hay field. You also get three of the Montshire planets on the trail, and the turn off to Montshire is well-marked. Definitely a Moderate hike. There are plenty of tree roots and lots of up and downs, although nothing extreme. Lots of squirrel and birds. Woodpeckers are plentiful.

The entrance off Hartford Ave. seems to be a power substation access road and is a little overgrown at the trailhead sign. The entrance on Montshire Rd is outside the gate, just a little past that intersection. One spot was confusing where it looks like an old logging road, but if you keep your eyes peeled the posted signs are there.

I can imagine hiking this regularly.
plaincorn
October 29, 2015
Lots of deer ticks late October 2015. Otherwise wonderful trail
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