This dog-friendly, 1.8-mile loop includes five spectacular waterfalls! The Brook Walk is part of a larger 28-mile trail network located on 5,500 gorgeous acres at the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area in Moultonborough, NH. In addition to hiking, you can also purchase tickets to tour the historic Lucknow Mansion (castle) with stunning views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossippee Mountains from this mountaintop estate.
According to the history listed on the Castle Preservation Society's website, Tom Plant and his wife Olive built this estate after earning his fortune in the shoe industry at the turn of the 20th century. Lucknow included a 16-room Arts and Crafts mansion, two gatehouses, a stable, a golf course and tennis court, a man-made lake, a boathouse and miles of carriage and bridle trails. The home was designed with natural materials in efforts to harmonize with its surroundings. The terra cotta architectural blocks used for the building and pink granite used for the stone veneer certainly give this castle a fairy-tale quality.
Following Tom's death in 1941, the estate became the summer home of Fred and Susan Tobey, along with their seven children and numerous grandchildren. They summered at Lucknow for 15 years before selling it to Richard Robie in 1956, who opened the grounds to the public in 1959 with the name Castle in the Clouds. In 2002, the Lakes Region Conservation Trust (LRCT) raised $5.9 million to purchase Lucknow's 5,500 acres. Soon after, the nonprofit Castle Preservation Society was formed to manage the historic building and grounds. They continue to work towards restoration of the Plant home and in 2018, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Parking for the hiking trails is off of Ossippee Park Road in Moultonborough. As you drive into the conservation area, you will pass the sweetest stone house on the left before locating the trail kiosk and parking on the right, across from a white fence and rolling fields of green.
Continue walking Northeast on Ossippee Park Road then head right towards Shannon Pond. Just past the pond take a left onto the Pond Trail, which will walk along the pond before connecting with the Turtleback Mountain Trail.
You will quickly arrive at the remnants of an old pine lodge on the left. All that remains are two sides of the stone foundation.
Continue on the Turtleback Mountain Trail until connecting with the Shannon Brook Trail, where you'll take a right as the path descends towards the Brook Walk. The first waterfall you come to is by far, the most impressive. A long boardwalk leads to the dramatic, 40-foot Falls of Song.
Enjoy the falls, then return the way you came until you've reached an opening in the boardwalk fencing on the right. Follow this trail as it ascends stone steps towards more waterfalls. The next one you'll come to is Bridal Veil Falls.
Continue on and you will reach Emerald Pool Falls and The Cascades. The final waterfall is Whitter Falls at 1.4 miles in.
Beyond Whittier Falls, the trail will reconnect with the Ossippe Park Road. Stop at Cafe in the Clouds, near the trailhead, for an ice cream before heading back to your car. If you decide to tour the Castle in the Clouds, drive up Ossippee Park Road until you've reached the larger parking lot. From here, you'll need to purchase a ticket and take the trolley to the castle. Cars are not allowed to drive up. Here is info on the hours and admission rates. Here is the link to the Turtleback Mountain and Brook Walk Trail Loop on All Trails. Enjoy exploring this historic and beautiful property!
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