GREENSBORO — Barr Hill Natural Area is one of the highest points in Greensboro and one of the best spots locally to see views of fall foliage over a wide area with little effort.
From the picnic area in an open field at the trailhead, there is a stunning, nearly panoramic view that sweeps from Spruce and Signal Mountains in Groton State Park to the southern Green Mountains, Woodbury Mountain, Camel’s Hump, Elmore Mountain and Mount Mansfield.
For those wanting to venture further afield, there are self-guided, one-tenth-mile or 3/4-mile trail loops on the preserve. Both are easy hikes, ideal for children.
From a spur trail, there is a magnificent view of Caspian Lake, which appears suspended in mid-air. Further along the loop there are views to the northwest of Belvidere Mountain and Jay Peak.
The trail traverses fern glades and a ledge outcropping, which was once ground down by glaciers, and passes through dark, coniferous woods where you’ll find beds of sphagnum moss so thick it’s tempting to stretch out and take a nap.
Barr Hill is an excellent place for bird watching. If you have binoculars you may see hawks and common ravens from the trail lookouts.
Stone fire rings are available for picnickers.
Barr Hill Natural Area is at 1521 Barr Hill Road, Greensboro. Drive north out of Greensboro and turn right at the Greensboro Town Hall. The Lakeview Elementary School is on your left. Just 0.6 miles from the town hall turn left at the first fork and follow the sign for the Barr Hill Nature Preserve. You will pass a dairy farm and then a red barn just before the preserve entrance. Continue straight ahead. (The road is closed to vehicles during mud season.) Continue uphill through the preserve for 0.6 mile to the parking area on the left where the nature trail begins.
Barr Hill Natural Area is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) of Vermont. The Philip Gray family donated the land, which was immortalized in Wallace Stegner’s book Crossing to Safety, to TNC in 1972. Every spring, volunteers maintain the trail and picnic area for all to enjoy.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
