Mill Brook Trail, York Pond Fish Hatchery
The Mill Brook Trail in Berlin, New Hampshire, is nestled in the northern White Mountains, near the Berlin Fish Hatchery at York Pond. It offers a moderately challenging hike with a steady ascent, following the creek for much of the route. The trail leads to an intersection with the Kilkenny Ridge Trail, where you can turn north towards Rogers Ledge, or south towards Unknown Pond and Mount Cabot. It's a great option for hikers seeking a quiet, scenic experience in the woods
The Mill Brook Trail starts at the Berlin Fish Hatchery at York Pond, about four tenths of a mile beyond the gate for the facility and near the top of the fish hatchery area. When we hike in this area, we always park outside the gate, since it does generally get locked around 4pm and simply walking out past the gate is easier than getting stuck inside or having to bother the caretaker to get the gate open.
The entire trail is a moderate hike as you climb up to the crest of the Kilkenny Ridge. For the most part though, you are following an old roadway through a mature forest. There are several really nice stretches of the trail along Mill Brook. Do note that the trail does get very muddy in places if it’s wet, even when it’s dry there are some pretty persistent muddy spots.
Jeff’s hike took him from the Fish Hatchery Gate, up the Mill Brook Trail, to the intersection with the Kilkenny Ridge Trail, which he followed to the first unnamed pond you come to heading south on the Ridge Trail. There he met up with Patrick, who had hiked up the Unnknown Pond Trail from Stark. From there Jeff turned around and headed back the way he came with Patrick. After getting back to the Fish Hatchery gate, it was a quick car shuttle to get Patrick back to his truck.
Jeff and Patrick didn’t do a video for this hike, but Jeff and Moe did include this section on a video that they had done about trail maintenance on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail.
Jeff’s total distance was 9 miles round trip. The gate to the trailhead is 0.4, it’s 3.5 miles to the intersection with the Kilkenny Ridge Trail, and it was about 0.1 miles tsouth on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail to the unnamed pond.
Oh and yes, we were twinning without even trying. We both had gotten LL Bean’s new blue fleece hoodie recently.
For More Information About This Hike
You can find this hike:
Hike On Guides: Need help on a hike like this? Moe is a NYS licensed hiking and backpacking guide. You can hire him for Hiking, Backpacking and Camping Guide Services at Hike On Guides for hikes in New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
Our Hiking Advice and Hiking Gear Recommendations
Gear we used on this hike:
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Important Hiking Considerations:
Weather: Check the weather forecast before your hike and be prepared for changes in conditions.
Safety: Some sections of the trail can be steep and rocky, so use caution and watch your footing.
Leave No Trace: As with any outdoor activity, remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Pack out any trash, stay on the trail, and be respectful of the natural environment.
Jeff and Moe’s hike up the Mill Brook Trail, over to Rogers Ledge and then down to South Pond.
