Goat Hill Accessible Trail

Photos from L to R: Wakefield, NH students learn about watersheds, the summit, view of Square Pond

What is Goat Hill?

Address: 1205 H Road, Acton

Goat Hill is one of the highest elevations in Acton, and offers stunning 360-degree views of nearby lakes and the Presidential Range and Agiocochook (Mount Washington) to the west. Goat Hill’s 25-acres is owned by the town of Acton, and Three Rivers Land Trust has been engaged in a multi-year project to make the trail to the scenic hilltop meet the Forest Service’s standards for accessible trails. The trail is open now, and you will find the parking area for the trail at 1205 H Road, about 1/8 mile north of the Romac Orchard entrance. Goat Hill and the Romac Orchard are part of the land trust’s 2,000-acre “Goat Hill to Shapleigh Pond” conservation project. This project was made possible with funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Recreational Trails Program, in addition to many other grants, funders, and individual donors.

Make a donation to the Goat Hill Trail Stewardship Fund

Watch the drone footage to see why we love Goat Hill!

Essential Trail Info for Visitors

The Goat Hill parking area will be plowed during the winter months.

Typical and minimum trail width: The Goat Hill Trail has a minimum width of five feet, and is typically 5-7′ in width
Length, elevation, surface type: This is a gravel trail that runs approximately 3,600′ (0.7mi) from the trailhead to the height of the summit, rising 151′ in elevation, using several long switchbacks. The surface is a compacted ¾” crushed gravel, with two small wooden bridges flush with the trail surface. At the summit, an accessible circular path about 500′ in length connects to several viewpoints and picnic table pads, and the gravel surface is the same as the trail.
Typical and maximum running slope: The average slope is 3.5%. Some slopes on the trail portion are 6% to 8% and the maximum slope is 10%. The maximum length of running slopes over 5% is 200′. Shorter resting intervals are provided for slopes greater than 5%.
Typical and maximum cross slope: The cross slopes on the trail’s treadway are no more than 5%. There are side slopes greater than 5% just off the treadway – use caution and stay on the treadway.
Obstacles: There are no obstacles over one inch (1″) in the treadway. Larger stones are used to denote where side slopes are difficult or severe.
Amenities: There will be an accessible portapotty at the trailhead from the late spring through fall, but there are no such facilities at the summit of Goat Hill. At the summit, there are several accessible-design picnic tables.