New England Trails

I found a route that surprisingly avoids crowds, on the most hiked summit in the US, here’s the details 👇

The route:
- Parker Trail
- Lost Farm Trail
- Cliff Walk
- Smith Connecting Trail
- Amphitheater Trail
- White Arrow Trail
- White Dot Trail
- White Cross Trail

Total mileage: 6.5 to 7 miles, elevation gain: 2,200 feet

Difficulty: Monadnock’s trails are considered “difficult,” but moderate compared to other challenging hikes in New Hampshire. Compared to difficult hikes (like the 4K footers) Mt Monadnock offers routes with less elevation gain and roundtrip mileage.

Due to its wide open summit, close (ish) proximity to major cities, rugged feel without demanding technical aspects or a full day adventure and beautiful trails, are what make Monadnock the most hiked mountain in the U.S.

The Cliff Walk trail is my new favorite trail to the summit of Monadnock, and surprisingly, there isn’t much traffic.

I made a custom route and loved it! Here’s the route I took.
🪧 Parker Trail, Lost Farm Trail, Cliff Walk, Smith Connecting, Amphitheater Trail, White Arrow Trail, White Dot Trail, White Cross Trail

🥾 Total mileage: was approx. 6.5–7 miles, with 2,200 feet elevation gain.

😮‍💨 Difficulty: many trails on Monadnock are considered “difficult” and this one’s no exception. However, as far as “difficult” trails go in New Hampshire, many on this mountain are on the more moderate side, which in part is why Monadnock is the most hiked mountain in the U.S.

In comparison to some of the more difficult hikes in New Hampshire (the 4K footers for example), Monadnock has routes with much less elevation gain, and roundtrip milage.

What makes the trails on Monadnock “difficult” are the scrambles, steep sections, risky footing in slick conditions, exposure above treeline, and the need for trail navigating experience (it’s easy to get off track because there are so many trails). I highly recommend bringing a detailed trail map, a GPS device, or a reliable hiking app for navigation.

My favorite view of the Presidential’s 😀

From the summit of Middle Sugarloaf you have a nice unobstructed view of Mt Washington and the nearby peaks in the heart of the White Mountains. The payoff for this view, is spectacular.

Here’s the stats:
• Trail Name: North and Middle Sugarloaf via Sugarloaf Trail
• Location: Bethlehem, New Hampshire
• Region: White Mountain National Forest
• Mileage: 3.5 miles round-trip in summer. 6 miles in winter.
• Elevation Gain: Just over 1,000 feet.
• Difficulty: Rated as a moderate hike. Some steep sections, but no scrambles!
• Hiking Lists: 52 WAV
• Time: took me 6hrs but I hike as slow as molasses to get lots of pictures and video🙃