Swanzey, New Hampshire is perhaps best known for its covered bridges, each with its unique appearance and history. (I’m partial to the Thompson Bridge with its sidewalk.) The town has more to offer, though, including several short trails worth exploring. I recently discovered Hewes Hill and Tippin Rock, with the help of a Cheshire Walkers hike sponsored by the Monadnock Conservancy, a regional land trust.

Is it Tippin’ or Tippin? The apostrophe is optional, but either way, it’s an apt name for the glacial erratic boulder perched on a ledge in the woods on the way to Hewes Hill’s summit ridge. If you lean against it at just the right place, it’ll rock back and forth a little bit. A couple of my hiking companions kept pushing on different locations on the boulder until it yielded ever so slightly. It’s fun to see, even if it’s a little unnerving to see a 40-ton boulder moving like that!

We continued up the trail after inspecting Tippin Rock. Hewes Hill is forested, with a bit of exposed ledge on the summit ridge that gave us a pleasant western view on a sunny spring day. I was glad to rest and catch my breath after the uphill hike. The hike is about 1.8 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of a little over 300 feet.

A printable trail map is available on the Monadnock Conservancy website. Limited parking is available on Warmac Road in Swanzey, about a half mile west of NH Route 32.

The trail is on private land with an easement to the Conservancy, and as is written on the Conservancy’s map, “respectful hikers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers are welcome on Hewes Hill.” Daytime use only; carry out what you carry in; no facilities at the trailhead.

Generous landowners keep many New Hampshire trails open to the public. I was lucky that one of my hiking companions to Tippin Rock was the property owner whose land we were crossing, so I could give her a proper face-to-face thank-you.

My cross-state plan hits a bump

The Tippin Rock hike was a bonus for me on a challenging day. I spent time on the limited section of the Ashuelot rail trail that’s open in Swanzey; much of the trail in town is closed for reconstruction. Once I hit the trail detour, I thought maybe I could cross the town on local roads as part of my cross-state effort. It didn’t take me long to realize that wasn’t a good idea. Those narrow curving roads with tiny shoulders were not pedestrian-friendly.

So…there will be breaks in my route across southern New Hampshire this year. I’ll connect trails where I can. Along the way, I know I’ll find unexpected fun, such as that hike to Tippin Rock.

Note for Ashuelot trail hikers and cyclists: be sure to respect the 2026 trail closure north of the southern Holbrook Road crossing. Heading south on the trail from there is fine. There’s room enough at that crossing for a car to park off the road while staying clear of the trail gate.

Visiting Swanzey

The Town of Swanzey has a good website with information on local trails and covered bridges. Check it out when you’re ready to plan an itinerary for a trip to the area.

If you happen to be in Swanzey on Old Home Day (usually in July), enjoy the parade! Also, Swanzey is home to the Cheshire Fair every summer.

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