Sugarloaf, Trestle, and Hale Brook/Zealand Trails are easy to moderate popular hikes in the picturesque Zealand Valley.

The Sugarloaf Trail is easy, with some moderate uphill grades. There is no reliable water source along this trail. Water taken from the Zealand River adjacent to the parking area is untested and should be treated. Drinking water is available at the Zealand Recreation Area. The trail begins at 1644 feet. At 0.2 mile the trail leaves the river at an easy uphill grade and immediately crosses the Bethlehem water line. The easy grade changes to a more moderate uphill grade at 0.7 mile until it reaches the saddle between the two summits. A sign at 0.9 mile marks the intersection between the two Sugarloaves: Middle Sugarloaf to the left (south) and North Sugarloaf to the right. For a more rigorous, full day, 8.6 mile loop hike, start at the Hale Brook Trail, ascend Mt. Hale, descend to the Zealand Falls Hut and Zealand Valley via the Lend-A-Hand Trail, then out the Zealand Trail and Road.

Beginning at 2040 feet at the parking lot, the Zealand Trail heads south a short distance on a logging road before striking into the woods. The present day trail follows portions of the original Zealand Valley Railroad (1884-1897). With keen eye, the hiker can spot where railroad ties once crossed level sections of the current trail.

The trail gradually ascends through northern hardwood forests, meadows and swamp land. At 0.8 mile the trail approaches the Zealand River and makes a sharp right turn. The A-Z trail to Crawford Notch enters on the left at 2.3 miles. The Zealand Trail passes to the east of Zealand Pond ending at the junction of the Twinway and Ethan Pond Trails, elevation 2445 ft. The Ethan Pond Trail continues straight ahead through Zealand Notch to Ethan Pond Shelter.

The Twinway turns right. The first 0.1 mile of the Twinway is flat and the remaining 0.1 mile is steep and rocky. Up the Twinway Trail 0.2 mile from the junction of the Zealand and Ethan Pond Trails is the Zealand Falls Hut, elevation 2700 ft. The hut is a backcountry facility operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) under a special use permit to serve both day and night hikers.

From the hut, there is a spectacular view south through Zealand Notch to Mount Carrigain, Lowell, and Anderson in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. The waterfall and the spectacular view of the fire scarred Zealand Notch are not to be missed. Drinking water is available at the hut. Other sources of water must be treated.

During the last two decades of the nineteenth century, the Zealand Valley was the scene of extensive logging. Lumber baron J.E. Henry built a sawmill and a railroad and harvested timber there through the turn of the century. The bustling, logging town of Zealand once existed near the present site of Zealand campground. Some evidence remains today of the town which boasted a mill, railyard, store, post office, and housing.

As the nineteenth century drew to a close, the Zealand Valley became a wasteland of slash, erosion, and fire damage. Intensive logging and two great fires stripped Zealand Valley of virtually all vegetation.

The presence today of a luxuriant, hardwood forest is a fine example of nature's recuperative powers and forest succession. The dominant tree species are red maple, white birch, and beech. Red spruce and balsam fir are found at higher elevations and rocky sites. Many species of shrubs and plants common to the northern hardwood coniferous forest are found throughout the Zealand Valley.

Animal life includes black bear, moose, deer, snowshoe hare, and beaver. A number of beaver dams and ponds are located along Zealand Trail. Dusk is the best time of day to observe beavers at work.

The Hale Brook Trail begins at 1750 feet from a small parking area on the west side of the Zealand Road. It ends at the bare summit of Mt. Hale, elevation 4054 feet, and the Lend-A-Hand Trail junction. The trail length is 2.3 miles of moderate grade.

The trail ascends Mt. Hale through white birch forest with good views from the summit. Untested water is readily available. It should be boiled or chemically treated.

Some of the rocks on the summit of Mt. Hale are magnetic. When a compass is placed on or near these rocks, its needle spins in evidence of this geologic phenomenon.

The Lend-A-Hand Trail connects the summit of Mt. Hale to the Zealand Falls Hut. The trail descends steadily 2.7 miles to Zealand Hut with a number of views from ledges to the east and west.

Middle Sugarloaf Trail (0.4 mile) continues on an easy to moderate grade before becoming very steep in the last ledgy section to the fully exposed summit at 2526 feet. It offers a 360 degree view of various mountain ranges.

North Sugarloaf Spur (0.3 mile) continues at an easy grade, then loses elevation slightly and swings to the mountain's back side. The trail climbs gradually, ending abruptly on the open ledge of North Sugarloaf summit at 2360 feet. The view to the east is of Mt. Washington and the Presidential Range. Smokey quartz has been found in this area. Collectors are not required to obtain permits; however, collecting is limited to hand tools only. Explosives are prohibited. Collectors must fill in any holes to restore areas to near natural conditions.

Historical note: During colonial times sugar was sold in a loaf similar to the shape of North, South, and Middle Sugarloaf Mountains. Several New Hampshire mountains are similarly named.

The Trestle Trail is an easy one-mile loop walk in a forested setting along both sides of the Zealand River. It begins and ends at 1644 feet.

If you start on Zealand Road, the Trestle Trail coincides with the Sugarloaf Trail for a short distance. The Trestle Trail then separates and follows the west side of the river for about 0.5 mile, where it crosses a footbridge over the river. From this point, the trail passes through the Sugarloaf II Campground and returns to the Zealand Road at the parking area, completing the one mile loop.

Near the northern end of the trail is a huge granite boulder, which was deposited by the Continental Glacier over 14,000 years ago. At the footbridge, the trail follows the location of the Old Zealand Valley Logging Railroad. The footbridge has been built in the same location as the railroad trestle which was used for logging in the late 1800s (hence the name Trestle Trail).

The Youth Conservation Corps built the Trestle Trail in 1984. The footbridge was constructed in 1985 as a cooperative venture by the 368th Combat Battalion, US Army Reserve, and the Forest Service.

The Zealand Trail itself is an easy, 2.8 mile hike, ending at the Twinway Trail, which leads to the Zealand Falls Hut (1 hr. 40 min.).

To limit resource damage and enhance the recreation experience of all users, camping regulations are in effect. Camping and fires are prohibited:

• above treeline;
• within 1/4 mile of Zealand Road;
• within 1/4 mile of Zealand Falls Hut.

Fire permits are not required to use wood or charcoal fire within non-restricted areas. However, if any fires escape, fines and suppression costs may be incurred.

Access: Three miles east of Twin Mountain, NH on Rte. 302, at the Zealand Recreation Area. Turn right (south) on Zealand Road (FR 16).

• Sugarloaf Trail is on the west side of the Zealand River Bridge.
• Trestle Trail parking is on the right (north) of the Zealand River Bridge, 0.6 mile from Rte. 302. Cross to the west side of the Zealand River Bridge to start the Trestle Trail. Another access is near site 10 in Sugarloaf II campground.
• Hale Brook trail parking is 2.5 miles up Zealand Road.
• Zealand Trail parking lot is 3.6 miles up Zealand Road.

NOTE: Zealand Road is closed to motor vehicles from mid-November to mid-May.