I don’t get out to Beaver Brook often enough to tire of it, but a change of scenery can be nice all the same.

A friend introduced me to an alternative trail system just down the road a bit in Carlisle, Mass.

The Great Brook Farm State Park is, as the name suggests, part of the Massachusetts state park system, and during much of the year they require a modest user fee, payable in cash at the parking lot kiosk.You can also buy an annual pass, good for all the state parks. In return, they offer restrooms, a drinking fountain (once it’s warmer out) and a great trail system. There’s also a dairy farm and ice cream stand, but I’ve yet to check that out.

The park’s trail system is wildly popular with mountain bikers and dog walkers. Of course, it’s also great for trail running. There's a mix of wider trails and twisty single-track, all with plenty of modest hills.

There’s a trail map available at the park HQ or on the state website… unless you really like to wander and explore aimlessly. 

Carlisle isn't as close as Hollis, of course, but the drive down doesn't take much longer than the back roads routes from Nashua to Beaver Brook. Here’s the hot tip for how to get there from here: Take Route 3 south to Route 4 in Chelmsford. Stay southbound on Route 4 as you wind your way through the town center, then watch for a sign for Carlisle and Concord, and take that fork off to the right. Great Brook is along that road.