Peacham Groton Loop

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This ride has recently been opened for mountain bikes. It includes quite a bit of climbing and some fun descents. It is accessible from most of the Groton State Forest campgrounds. The directions start at the New Discovery Campground.

Starting at the New Discovery Campground, follow the campsites to the rear of the campground where you'll see campsites for horses. Go around the gate on your left and follow the wide trail for about 0.3 miles and take a right on the dirt road. You'll descend on this road for two miles as it eventually crosses a bridge and becomes an old jeep road. At mile 2.6, you'll be at a three-way intersection, where you can take a 0.4 mile detour to the left for a view of beautiful Peacham Pond. Otherwise, stay right.

In about a half mile, take a right on the snowmobile trail where you'll immediately cross a bridge. The trail gradually gets steeper as you ascend for the next mile. After a brief descent, you'll see a trail to the right. That trail (another optional scenic detour) climbs steeply up Devil's Hill for about a half mile for a spectacular view of the entire region. Otherwise, continue on the snowmobile trail, taking the next right after a few hundred feet at mile 4.4. Ignore the trail to the right after a short distance — that's a hiking trail that is an alternative route up Devil's Hill.

At mile 4.8, turn right on a new section of the trail has recently been expanded by the state to accommodate snowmobiles. The trail goes past several beaver ponds. Follow this trail for a little more than a mile and go past the trail marked Peacham Bog Trail - that's another hiking trail and isn't suitable for bikes. At mile 6.1, veer right and follow an old hiking trail that has recently been modified for mountain biking use. There are some fun and challenging rocky sections. This trail continues for about 1.5 miles, ending with a steep descent to the intersection of Coldwater Brook Road.

Take a right on Coldwater Brook Road at mile 8.4. The road soon turns into the singletrack Telephone Line Trail. After three miles, the trail begins a two-mile ascent. At about mile 13, look for the sign on your left for the Telephone Line TH and North Parking. Turn left for a short climb.

There are two ways back to the trailhead at the top of the climb. You can continue on to Rt. 232, then turn right and continue for a short distance to the New Discovery Campground. As an alternative, turn right at the Owl's Head Trail sign and take the singletrack trail for a few hundred yards. Go past the maintenance sheds on your left, then take a quick right to follow a trail for a few hundred yards along an electric utility line. Turn left at the end of that short trail and continue for a short distance to the New Discovery Campground.