The 175-acre Hudson Farm is now protected forever as a part of the Appalachian Trail corridor, with the March 21, 2017 transfer from Dartmouth College to the National Park Service. The Etna property, which could have become a development of 18 homes, has a well-loved network of trails connecting the AT with Berrill Farms and Etna’s “bird road” neighborhoods. The beautiful fields will be kept open for bobolinks and views. This was the first addition to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Hanover in more than 15 years.
How to Get There
Parking is available at a new trailhead & kiosk on Trescott Road, directly across from Partridge Lane, or at the Appalachian Trail parking area on Trescott Road.
Hike of the Month Archive:
January: Hudson Farm & The AT
September: Old Highway 38 & the Hudson Farm
September: Old and New Etna Loop
The National Park Service owns Hudson Farm. Ownership was transferred by the Trust for Public Land after its purchase from Dartmouth College in 2017.
The land is managed as part of the Appalachian Trail Corridor, with work overseen by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the adopter of this trail section, the Dartmouth Outing Club.
The Town of Hanover and Trust for Public Land (TPL), assisted by the Hanover Conservancy, worked for more than six years to permanently protect this land, an attractive target for subdivision and development, to keep it open for walkers and wildlife. Dartmouth College was deeply generous in accommodating a conservation sale. TPL purchased the property from Dartmouth for $1.84 million with funding from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund and from private donations. LWCF funding comes from offshore oil and gas royalty payments; it is not supported by taxpayer dollars. The final gifts to complete the fund-raising came from the Hanover Conservancy’s Strategic Land Action Fund and gifts made in memory of Audrey McCollum, a Hudson Farm neighbor.
Birdwatching is a favorite activity at Hudson Farm, with bobolinks often nesting in the large fields. Wheeled vehicles, including snowmobiles, are NOT allowed on the property unless being used for pre-approved management activities. Foot travel in all seasons is allowed, and hunting is allowed in season.
Related Articles
| Old Highway 38 & Hudson Farm | September 1, 2018 |
| Hudson Farm & the AT | January 1, 2018 |
