Paugus Bay State Forest is a 255-acre state forest in Laconia, New Hampshire, offering a diverse landscape for outdoor activities. This area features extensive woodlands, numerous wetlands, and a network of streams and rivers. Its location along the western shores of Paugus Bay provides scenic views, making it suitable for several sports like hiking, jogging, road cycling, and touring cycling.
Paugus Bay State Forest provides numerous routes for outdoor enthusiasts. More than…
42
Routes
4.3
(12)
Average rating
274
People visited

5.0
(2)
18
riders
14.2km
00:50
80m
80m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15.4km
01:01
80m
80m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15
riders
90.7km
05:35
740m
740m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(3)
15
hikers
5.84km
01:56
290m
290m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
hikers
6.99km
01:56
130m
130m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
hikers
2.90km
00:51
80m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
hikers
4.73km
01:20
100m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3
riders
20.3km
00:57
140m
140m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

54
riders
92.3km
03:57
680m
680m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(3)
18
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

9
riders
43.6km
02:01
370m
370m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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1
runners
10.3km
01:08
190m
190m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.55km
00:28
10m
10m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
runners
7.64km
00:56
300m
300m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.06km
00:23
30m
30m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Paugus Bay State Forest is a 255-acre state forest located in Laconia, New Hampshire. It features extensive woodlands, wetlands, streams, and rivers, offering a diverse natural environment. The forest provides scenic views of Paugus Bay and Lake Winnipesaukee.
Paugus Bay State Forest offers opportunities for hiking, jogging, road cycling, and touring cycling. The area's varied terrain supports both easy walks and more moderate routes. Over 500 visitors have rated activities in the forest an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Paugus Bay State Forest features a network of trails suitable for various hiking levels. Popular routes include the Fire Road – Ahern State Park loop, an easy 1.3-mile (2.1 km) path, and the Rusty Bedspring, Upper Jakes, and Yo Benson Loop, an easy 2.2-mile (3.5 km) route. More details are available in the Hiking in Paugus Bay State Forest guide.
Paugus Bay State Forest offers trails suitable for families, including easy walks through woodlands and along waterways. The diverse terrain provides accessible options for various fitness levels. Specific family-friendly routes can be found in the Family-friendly hikes in Paugus Bay State Forest guide.
While specific routes exclusively within Paugus Bay State Forest are not detailed, the broader area offers road cycling and touring cycling opportunities. Nearby paved scenic lakeside paths like the Winni Trail and crushed limestone fire roads in Ahern State Park are suitable for easy rides with lake views. Explore options in the Road Cycling Routes in Paugus Bay State Forest guide.
Yes, the area around Paugus Bay State Forest offers traffic-free bike rides, particularly on recreational rail trails and crushed limestone fire roads. These paths provide leisurely outings with scenic views. Guides for these routes include Traffic-free bike rides in Paugus Bay State Forest.
Paugus Bay State Forest features extensive woodlands, numerous wetlands, and a network of streams and rivers. Its location along the western shores of Paugus Bay offers picturesque views, including glimpses across the water to Weir Beach and Governor's Island, and Lake Winnipesaukee.
Paugus Bay State Forest is a popular destination, with more than 500 visitors having shared their experiences on komoot. Activities in the forest have received an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars, indicating a high level of satisfaction among users.
Yes, Paugus Bay State Forest offers several easy hikes suitable for beginners or those seeking a relaxed outdoor experience. These trails wind through woodlands and along waterways. The Easy hikes in Paugus Bay State Forest guide provides specific recommendations.
Komoot offers several guides for Paugus Bay State Forest, covering various activities and difficulty levels. These include guides for Hiking, Running Trails, Road Cycling, and Touring Cycling. There are also guides for easy and family-friendly options.
The WOW and Winni Trail is an 8.7-mile (14.0 km) path near Laconia that traverses varied landscapes. It is a popular route among local hikers and cyclists, connecting with other trails and offering scenic views. This trail is a favorite for those exploring the broader region.
Information regarding specific parking for Paugus Bay State Forest trails is often consolidated with broader state park or forest systems. Visitors typically access trails via designated trailheads or parking areas associated with nearby parks like Ahern State Park, which connects to the state forest.

