|
Trail |
Descriptions |
Directions |
Distance |
|
Boulder Loop Trail
Easy to moderate
|
Gradual
climb with some steep pitches. Excellent views! A trail guide is
available at District offices. Views of Mt. Chocorua and Swift
River Valley can be enjoyed from the ledges. |
Off the Kancamagus Highway. 6
miles west of the Saco Ranger Station. Turn right off the Kancamagus
Highway through the Covered Bridge. The parking lot is on the right
and the trailhead is opposite the parking lot. |
2.8 miles (RT)
|
|
The Lovequist Loop Trail
Easy
|
A short walk
around Falls Pond offers a sample of the internal beauty of the
Forest. Bring along your fishing rod and camera. Tread softly and be
careful of plants and vegetation |
Off the Kancamagus Highway.
9 miles west of
the Saco Ranger Station at Rocky Gorge |
0.7 miles (RT) |
|
Mt.
Hedgehog via
The UNH Trail
Moderate
|
This is a loop
hike via the UNH Trail to
Mt. Hedgehog. This
trail offers a moderate hike to the summit of a 2500’ mountain with
spectacular views of the Swift River Valley in many directions. Use
extreme caution on open ledges. |
Off the Kancamagus Highway.
13.5 miles west
of the Saco Ranger Station. Start at the UNH Downes Brook Trailhead
across from Passaconaway Campground. |
5 miles (RT) |
|
Rail N'
River Trail
Easy |
This is a fairly
flat trail, fully accessible trail. |
Off the Kancamagus Highway.
12.3 miles west
of the Saco Ranger Station on the Kancamagus Highway. Follow the
trail from the parking lot at the Russell Colbath Historic House |
0.5 miles (RT) |
|
Mt. Potash
Hike
Moderate
|
The Mt. Potash
Trail then leaves at a (sharp right) and soon crosses Downes Brook.
The route over ledges is marked with yellow paint. The trail to the
summit of
Mt.
Potash
(2660’) is open and ledgy and affords excellent views of the Swift
River Valley and surrounding mountains in all directions. Use
extreme caution on ledge areas. |
Off the Kancamagus Highway.
13.5 miles west
of the Saco Ranger Station. Start on the Downes Brook Trail across
from the Passaconaway Campground. |
4 miles (RT) |
|
Liberty Trail to Mount Chocorua
Moderate |
Leaving the NE side of the parking lot, the trail ascends at
a steady, moderate grade along an old bridle path. The Durrell Brook
is crossed at 1.1 miles, one third on the way to Jim Liberty Cabin.
The Hammond Trail enters to the right 2.7 miles. The Liberty Trail
continues to Jim Liberty Cabin at 3.3 miles. The Liberty Trail meets
the Brook trail on a ledge at 3.6 miles. Continue on the Brook Trail
another .2 miles to the summit of
Mt. Chocoura. (The
Beeline enters 10 yards from the Liberty and Brook Trail junction.)
The summit of
Mt.
Chocoura
is .2-mile father via the Brook Trail |
The trail begins at the parking area just before the gate on Paugus
Mill Road off Fowler’s Mill Road, which leaves Rt. 16 between Big
and Little Chocoura Lakes. Please respect private property on the
way to the parking lot |
From the Paugus Mill Parking Area to the Hammond Trail - 2.7 miles
3.3 miles to Liberty Cabin
3.6 miles to the Brook Trail
3.9 miles To
Mt. Chocoura Summit (via Brook Trail) |
|
Mount Chocorua
via the Piper Trail
Moderate |
The trail starts at an easy grade following an
old logging road. The Weetamoo Trail turns off to the left at .08
miles and the Nickerson Ledge Trail turns off to the right at 1.4
miles. The Piper Trail ascends moderately past a cleared outlook to
Carter Ledge. It than becomes steeper and changes in to a series of
switch back, stone steps and paving. The Camp Penacook Spur Trail at
3.1 miles branches off to the left and ascends .02 miles to the
shelter. Open ledges are soon discovered giving great views to the
north, east and south. The
Champney Brook Trail comes in on your right at 3.9 miles and .02
miles further, the West side Trail comes in on your right. The Piper
Trail continues following yellow blazes over open ledges to the
summit.
Note: Weather conditions change rapidly. Turn
around in bad weather! |
The Trail Head
is on Route 16, 6 miles south of Conway behind Davies’s General
Store. This is a fee area parking lot |
Nickerson Ledge Trail - 1.4 miles
Chocoura River Crossing - 2.0 miles
Mt. Chocorura Summit
-.5 miles |
|
Evans Notch Area |
|
The Roost Loop
Moderate
|
Follow the trail up moderate to steep grades about 0.5 miles to an
open ridge called the Roost. Follow the path down hill for a short
distance to open ledges with excellent views of the Wild River
Valley and many mountain peaks. From the Roost, continue south along
a more gradual grade until the trail reaches Route 113 on the south
side of Hastings Campground. Distance back to the starting point is
about 0.6 miles along the road. |
Leave
the east side of Route 113 at the
Evans
Brook Bridge, north of Hastings Campground. |
1.8 Miles (RT) |
|
Basin Trail to Rim
Junction
Moderate
|
Continue on the
Basin Trail toward Rim Junction. At 1.0 mile a side trail leads left
to Hermit Falls, a picturesque cascade. This side of the loop
rejoins the Basin Trail at 1.2 miles. The trail crosses a wide brook
and climbs steeply to the top of the cliff overlooking the Basin. At
Rim Junction, follow the Basin Rim Trail 0.1 miles north to a short
path out to the great views south and east |
Beginning at the
Basin Pond parking area, follow the trail along the south side of
the pond for 0.3 miles to an old logging road. |
2.3 Miles |
|
East Royce Trail
Moderate
|
The trail
crosses Evans Brook, climbs steeply and crosses other small brooks
in the first 0.5-mile. The trail reaches the junction of the Royce
Connector Trail at 1.0 mile. Stay right on the East Royce Trail,
coming to open ledges at 1.1 miles. At 1.4 miles there are southern
views, then the trail turns right and climbs to the summit of East
Royce Mountain. Continue 0.1 miles to a path turning right (north)
to a large ledge with views to the north and west. |
The trailhead is on
the west side of Route 113, just north of Evans Notch. |
1.5 Miles |
|
Spider Bridge Loop
Hike
(Via Wild River-
Highwater Trails)
Easy to Moderately
Difficult |
Follow the Wild
River Trail to the south following an old railroad grade along the
banks of the
Wild River to Spider
Bridge, (2.7 miles). Cross Wild River on Spider Bridge and turn
north (right), on the Highwater Trail which follows the west bank of
the river. There are many vistas of Wild River and the mountains to
the east along this section of trail. At the Wild River Bridge north
of Moriah Brook, cross Wild River again to the east side, turn north
(left) back to the campground. The
Wild River area has
a rich history that
includes the
boom of the old logging days and the site of L.L. Bean’s hunting
camp, where the Maine Hunting Shoe was conceived and tested. Can you
imagine the sights and sounds of the bygone era as hike down the old
logging railroad bed? |
Wild River
Campground |
5.5 Miles (RT) |
|
Albany Mountain Trail
Moderate
|
We
recommend that you bring a trail guide and topographic map with you.
miles on Forest Road 18: the trailhead is on your right. This
trail leads to the summit of
Albany Mountain, a
series of rocky openings with panoramic views. It’s a popular spot
for blueberrying in the summer and offers great views of colorful
foliage in the fall. Begin on the Albany Notch Trail, turning left
onto the Albany Mountain Trail at 0.6 miles. At 0.9 miles from this
junction, a connector trail leaves right, leading back to the Albany
Notch Trail. Continue past this junction, ascending the north side
of Albany Mountain as The trail begins crossing sections on open
sections of open ledges and softwoods |
From Bethel
take Route 5 south past Songo Pond and turn right onto the Patte
Brook Road at sign indicating National Forest Camping. Follow signs
to Crocker Pond Campground. |
2.0 Miles
|
|
Lincoln
Woods |
|
Lincoln Woods Trail
|
This is
one of the easiest and most heavily used trails on the White
Mountain National Forest. It is a main route into the headwaters of
the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River and leads into one of the
largest roadless areas in the eastern United States known as the
Pemigewasset Wilderness.
Backpackers,
day hikers, fishermen, and mountain bikers all share this very
popular multiple use trail. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.
Summer is the heaviest use season, but with increased popularity of
cross country skiing, the trail is also extensively used in winter.
The fall season provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy hiking
trails with cooler temperatures, fewer bugs, and fall foliage
colors. Leaving the parking lot on the north side of the Kancamagus
Highway, the Lincoln Woods Trail immediately crosses the East Branch
of the Pemigewasset River via a 160’ long suspension bridge. The
trail then makes a sharp turn to the right and for most of its
length, follows the route of the old East Branch and Lincoln
Railroad northerly to the boundary of the Pemigewasset Wilderness.
|
The Lincoln Woods Trail parking lot (170
vehicle capacity) and Lincoln Woods Visitor Center are off the
Kancamagus Highway 5 miles east of I-93, Exit 32. |
2.9 miles |
|
Mount
Madison Area |
|
The Daniel Webster
Scout Trail |
The long, hard climb is definitely not
recommended as a route up Mt. Madison unless you are an experienced
hiker. There is a long open stretch exposed to the elements.
Other
trails leave from the Randolph side of the mountain. The most
common route is the Valley Way. (4.2 miles) |
This trail starts in Dolly Copp
Campground. Hikers should park at the Visitor Center Parking Area. |
4 miles |
|
Nineteen
Mile
Brook Trail
|
It’s
an interesting day’s hike along a mountain stream into the beautiful
Carter Notch. The AMC operates a stone hut at the foot of the
towering cliffs near Carter Lakes.
Many trails ascend
Mt. Washington.
Hikers should be experienced and carry the proper equipment, as
the weather can be extremely bad all year round. The 6288 ft.
high mountain dominates the Presidential Range of the White
Mountains and is the highest peak in the northeast.
The most popular trail is the Tuckerman Ravine
Trail, which leaves Rt. 16 behind the
AMC
Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. It starts off as a graded path of
moderate difficulty leading to Tuckerman Ravine. The rugged
mountain cirque is famous for its spring skiing. Camping is limited
to shelters and tent platforms located in the Ravine; obtain tickets
at
AMC
Pinkham
Notch Visitor Center. Continuing on to the summit, you will be above
tree line (where trees are 8’ tall or less) so take extra warm
clothing. The trail is marked with cairns (small mounds of rocks)
above tree line. |
The trail leaves Rt. 16 about 8.0 miles south of Gorham. |
To
AMC Carter Notch Hut - 3.8 mi.
2.4
mi. – Tuckerman Headwall:
3.1 mi.
Tuckerman Junction:
3.6 mi. –
Summit: 4.1 mi. |
|
Glen Boulder |
The trail rises above tree line at a relatively low elevation and
affords tremendous views. Glen Boulder is a glacial erratic which
can be seen from Rt. 16. |
This short steep climb leaves Rt. 16 from the Glen Ellis Falls
Parking Area. |
1.45 miles |
|
Pine Mountain |
|
Pine Mountain Trail
Moderate
|
For a longer hike try the Pine Mountain
Trail, which leaves from Gorham. It is
blazed with yellow paint and all
intersections are marked with a sign and
arrows. |
The trail begins to the left as you
enter the Promenade Street parking area. |
From
Promenade Street,
Gorham to Chapel Rock - 2.4 miles,
to Pine Mountain Summit -2.7 miles. |
|
Ammonoosuc/Pemigewasset
|
|
Discovery Trail
Easy |
the Discovery Trail offers a living classroom in forest ecology.
This trail includes interpretive panels featuring both natural and
managed forest ecology. Interpretive trail brochures are available
at the trailhead. |
The parking area and trailhead is located on the
Kancamagus Highway,
6.2 miles from Exit 32, off I-93 in
Lincoln,
NH. |
1.4 mile accessible loop trail |
|
East pond/Little
East Pond Loop
Moderately Easy
|
This relatively
easy hike visits two beautiful mountain ponds. The trail follows an
old railroad grade and then bears right leading first to the scenic
East Pond at 1.4 miles, continue for 1.7 miles to Little East Pond.
To complete the loop it is a total of five miles. At one time East
Pond was mined for diatomaceous earth also known as Tripolite, hence
the name “Tripoli” Road. Tripolite is an abrasive fossil material
that is used for polishing steel machine parts and also as an
additive to potting soil |
begins on the
Tripoli Road, 5 miles east of Exit 31, I-93 |
5 miles (Round
Trip) |
|
Trestle Trail
Easy
|
The Trestle Trail
is an easy walk in a forested setting along both sides of the
Zealand
River.
The footbridge
has been built in the same location as the railroad trestle, which was
used for logging in the late 1800’s.
|
The trail begins at the Zealand Road Sugarloaf Trailhead and follows
the west side of the river for about .5 miles where it crosses the
river over a footbridge. From this point thetrail passes through
Sugarloaf Campground and returns to the
Zealand road parking area completing the loop. |
1 mile loop (Round Trip) |
|
Sugarloaf Trail
moderate
|
This trail offers an interesting hike that crosses
both North Sugarloaf and Middle Sugarloaf mountains. The
trail begins at 1644 ft. elevation and ends at Middle Sugarloaf
Summit, 2526 ft. It is easy with some moderate uphill grades. There
is no reliable water source along this trail. Any water taken
directly from the Zealand River or any river should always be
treated. There is drinking water available at the Zealand Valley
Campground. At 0.2 miles the trail leaves the river at an easy
uphill grade and immediately crosses the Bethlehem Water Line. The
easy grade changes to a more moderate uphill grade at 0.7 miles
until it reaches the saddle between the two summits. A sign at 0.9
miles marks the intersection between Middle and North Sugarloaf,
Middle Sugarloaf to the left (South) and North Sugarloaf Spur to the
Right. |
Three miles
east of Twin Mountain, NH on Route 302, south of Zealand Road (FR16)
on the west side of the Zealand River Bridge |
3.2 miles
(RT)
To Middle
Sugarloaf - 1.4 miles
To North Sugarloaf
-
1.2 miles
|
|
Pinkham Notch |
|
Glen
Ellis Falls
|
After passing several overlooks, you will reach the falls, which
drop 66 ft.
Please be aware – you will climb down more than 150 rock hewn steps
to the base of the falls |
Park in the
Glen
Ellis Falls parking area on the west side of Rt. 16. Go through the
tunnel under Rt. 16 and down the stone walkway and stairs
constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s. |
0.3.miles
|
|
Crystal Cascade
Easy |
This hike is ideal for families with young children and leads to a
beautiful volcanic vent. |
Park at the AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center parking area. Follow
the Tuckerman Ravine Trail (which leaves from behind the Visitor
Center) until you see the steps on your right leading to the
overlook for Crystal Cascade |
0.4 miles |
|
Thompson
Falls
Easy
|
After crossing the road, walk along
the side of
Thompson Brook to the falls; this series of cascades will be on your
left. The trail ends at the top of the third cascade |
Starting
at the Wildcat Ski Area parking lot, cross the bridge on the left
side of the building. Turn left and follow the self-guided nature
trail to the service road. |
0.8
miles |
|
Lost Pond
Easy
|
This short walk
takes you past beaver ponds along a mountain stream and through the
forest. After crossing a small bridge near the beaver pond, the
trail curves to the right. As you climb uphill, take a short break
to admire Mt. Washington across the road. Continue until you see the
pond on your right. Great Views. |
Park at the
AMC Pinkham
Notch Visitor Center lot. Cross Rt. 16 and look for the sign for
the Lost Pond Trail. |
1 mile |
|
Square Ledge
Easy
|
Follow the
Square Ledge trail as it gradually climbs to the base of the ledge.
After climbing steeply for a short distance along the right
side of the ledge, turn to your left and continue along the back of
the ledge.
When you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with
excellent views of
Mt.
Washington and Pinkham Notch. Be careful – Square Ledge has
steep drop-offs!
|
If you stand in
the AMC’s Pinkham Notch Visitor Center parking lot, look across Rt.
16 and slightly to your left. The large rocky outcropping you see
is Square Ledge. Starting on the Lost Pond Trail, just after you
cross the bridge look for the sign to Square Ledge. |
.5
miles
|
