Benton

Two massive stone lime kilns built in 1838 and 1842 stand as hidden relics of a 19th-century industry. The larger kiln towers 20 feet high with walls of native stone that you can climb behind to peer inside. These kilns processed limestone from what was considered the best limestone quarry in the country, heating it to create powdered lime for agriculture and construction. The short detour off the Chippewa Trail leads through an old logging road to these preserved remnants, complete with informational kiosk.

A 2,830-foot peak offering nearly 360-degree views from wide rocky ledges, but accessed via the less-traveled western approach. The Chippewa Trail winds through rare red pine stands and passes beaver ponds with Sugarloaf Mountain views. The summit provides close-up views of Mount Moosilauke's mass while revealing the triangular forms of Liberty and Flume peaks. Multiple ledge areas mean you can find your own private viewing spot most times.

A mile-long mountain pond surrounded by the Kinsman Range with absolutely no development and zero road noise. Several small islands dot the shallow water perfect for paddling, and the marshy south end offers prime moose-spotting territory. The pond sits at 2,178 feet elevation in the White Mountain National Forest, accessible only by a 5-mile dirt road that keeps crowds minimal. Loons call across the water while beavers maintain their lodges along the wooded shoreline.