Adams Pond / Moose Hill Orchard
| Contact: | Send Feedback |
|---|---|
| Location: | Between Pillsbury Road and Adams Road. (limited parking available at the Morrison House on Pillsbury Rd or at the Town Common) |
| Overview: | Moose Hill Orchards is a commercial orchard but walkers/hikers/bikers are welcome. A well developed trail system offers residents an opportunity for a leisurely stroll or a 5-k jog during most of the year and an invigorating x-country ski when conditions are favorable in the winter. Please be respectful of agricultural operations that may limit access to portions of the site during various times of the year. |
| Permitted Uses | hiking, snowshoeing, x-country skiing, picnicing, limited kayaking and fishing |
| Prohibited Uses | camping, motorized vehicles, hunting |
| Directions | Download a map with directions from the Town Center here. |
| Maps | Download a printable Town Center map here which includes the Moose Hill Orchard trails. Copies are also available at the Town Hall or Library. Smartphone user? Search for "Town Center Map" in the PDFMaps Mobile App for Iphone and Android. |
| Wayfinding | Trails meander around the perimeter of the Moose Hill Orchards. The Adams Pond Trail can be most easily accessed by locating a kiosk visible from the pumpkin field near Pick-your-own booth #2. No trail blazes are in place. |
Points of Interest
| Mack's Apples | Moose Hill Orchards, also known as Mack's Apples, is the largest farm in town. Located near the town center, it includes a full service farm stand and multiple U-pick locations across nearly 245 acres of land. Much of the orchard is preserved through preservation easements with hiking trails and ponds dotting the fields. View more information here. |
| Moose Trail | The Moose Trail is a dead end trail that follows riverbanks and provides views of a spectacular wildflower meadow and birding habitat. This trail is a treat during the summer months when wildflowers are in bloom. During spring blossom (early May), the orchards are alive in color and the sweet smell of blooming trees. The rows of trees invite anyone to walk through and enjoy the peace and quiet. |
| Orchard Overlook | There are two overlook points. The first, on the edge of the Town Forest on the North Loop Trail, offers a view over the orchard to Adams Pond. This view is best observed during spring or fall. The South Loop passes by a pick-your-own station with picnic tables and the Orchard Overlook, a raised deck that offers a 360-degree panoramic view. |
| Conservation Easement | The Town of Londonderry owns a conservation easement on Moose Hill Orchards. This easement prevents the land from future development, helps conserve agricultural soils and helps to make farming more viable in an era of high property values and tough competition from both national and international sources.
Easements have been used throughout Londonderry to preserve three working farms, including Moose Hill Orchards, Sunnycrest Farm and Merrill's Farm. By securing these easements, the Town has taken action to preserve the local heritage, scenic views and the availability of quality, locally-grown produce. |