Quick Navigation: Trail Options | Trail Map | Hiking In Winter | Parking | Directions | Weather Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Mileage: 4 Miles (6.4 km) Hike Time: 1-3 Hours Height: 1,786 feet (544.4 meters) Elevation Gain (cumulative): 1,150 feet Mount Major Hiking Trails Mount Major Trail Length: 1.5 miles to summit Beautiful views of the entire lake and White Mountains in the distance. September 24, 2020 by Jamie Italiane The views from Mount Major's summit in New Hampshire are some of the best that I have seen. Click here to download trail descriptions. Driving Directions: Trailhead and parking area are located on Rt. Discover the Power of Parks is presented by New Hampshire State Parks in collaboration with the Student Conservation Association and AmeriCorps and made possible by generous financial support from Eversource. Map Widget, Facebook The blue trail is the most direct to the top. I arrived at approx 4am and took about 45 minutes to reach the top just in time to catch the first light of the sun around 5:11am. Major in Alton, New Hampshire has been a hiking destination in central New Hamphire for generations. Great day beautiful weather .Get in early or you will walk a mile to hike your Mt. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 14 min to complete. Here are some of the hiking destinations in the area, and it's distance from Mount Major NH as the crow flies. Excellent views. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Trail Description: Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide. Sunday We went up the orange line & began going down the yellow line & ended up finishing with blue. But the Brook Trail was beyond miserable with all the bugs. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Major State Forest which is in the Belknap Range. Great view 360. Most definitely recommend this experience. Useful and helpful tips in hiker Then the road circles downhill to the L and finally becomes a trail. Mt. Major Directions Almost within sight of the parking lot, the road forks; either fork is OK but make sure everyone in your party goes the same way if you dont want to waste much of the day looking for them. Saturday Night Major Trail 1.5 miles (to scenic vista at the top, marked with blue blazes), Boulder Loop Trail 1.6 miles (from summit to trail head, marked with orange blazes), Elevation Gain Approximately 1,100 feet, Difficulty Moderate (micro spikes are recommended in the winter). Good conditions on the way up but on the way down, it was quite slippery. The main trail (blue) is rocky and quite steep at the top, so make sure your shoes have some grip. Prominence: 196'. It also has an area at the bottom by the lake marked Mt. Hill Shaded Trail Map Major, NH via Mt. Belknap Mountain NH (4 mi) Caverly Mountain NH (7.1 mi) Copple Crown Mountain NH (8.8 mi) East Quarry Mountain NH (0.9 mi) Gunstock Mountain NH (4.5 mi) Hussey Mountain NH (15.4 mi) Major Trail which ascends the mountain from the north side. The most gratifying hike- not too long, not too short. Parking was quite crowded today, but overall amazing views! Great trail conditions. The Boulder Loop Trail leads from the left side of the parking lot and ascends southwest and the northwest to the Mt. 2012 (29) Hill Shaded Trail Map & Satellite Trail Map © copyright TrailsNH, Mapbox, OpenStreetMap, TrailsNH is designed, built, and maintained by, How To Read The TrailsNH Weather Forecast, Mt. Major Trail Reports Mt. Little scrabbles. Small patches of muddy areas but nothing disastrous. Hover your mouse over images in order to see captions. Boulder Loop: Take the faint snowmobile trail which leaves the L side of the parking lot as you face the mountain. At 0.7 mi., where the road becomes wet and curves to the left, the trail continues ahead into the woods on a footpath. You can become a 140. on this trail. The Brook trail continues south by southeast to intersect with the Blue Trail (Belknap Range Trail) at 1.2 mi. Major via Mount Major and Brook Trails on 8/16/2009, Mt. At this point I took a left to stay on the Mt. The view is unbelievable. Mack, Mt. Route Summary. Kids and grandparents enjoyed the hike and felt a sense of accomplishment of climbing a mountain!! Mack and Round Pond, Round Pond Trail & East Gilford Fire Road, Gunstock Mtn. Major before going and a lot of them made a comment that it's an "easy hike" for all skill levels well I can assure you there isn't anything easy about it. Mount Major (NH) - Virginia Trail Guide (Scroll down for trails), Quick Navigation: Blue skies with temperature at trail head of 60F at 7 AM. bears left at a fork, and ascends south along the woods road. So we wanted to take it somewhat easy. Check cruisenh.com for schedule changes. This is also the eastern terminus of the Belknap Range Trail. The Jesus Valley Trail Beaver Pond Loop Trail drops down southeasterly to meet snowmobile Trail D at the Old Stage Road; a few hundred feet west of JesusValley Road. no bugs out, a little muddy and cloudy but so beautiful. I took a shortcut thru Boulder Loop Trail and it was more strenuous than expected. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. Start the hike from the Gunstock Ski Area parking lot. So many people!! Can I take my 3 yr old kid on this trail..if yes, which one I should pick? Mt. Major: A Family-Friendly Hike with Fanatic-Friendly Views Rocks, stepping up tree trunks, bouldering and dirt. Clockwise up is the more challenging side to start with. This lower section of Mount Major Trail splits but you can take either branch down as they will later rejoin. This is a year round trail but expect muddy conditions in the spring and microspikes are suggested in the winter months. the Mt. Start on Mount Major Trail which is at the back of the parking lot to the right (as opposed to the trailhead for Boulder Loop Trail which is at the left). Trip Report April (101) The first review that popped up stated this was an easy hike for anyone ages 5-65. Great trail. Steep in some places. Sunday, 28th, May 2023. March (92) I feel it is better to take the blue trail to the yellow trail. Was informed this was a moderate hike. Trail and Winter Shortcut Trail, Public Lands and Conservation Easements in the Belknaps. The best times to visit this trail are April through November. I like to go up the Mt summit trail and down the Brook trail. The frozen broads of Lake Winnipesaukee are You will see. Perfect, bluebird day! Its a favorite hike of childrens camps, so you can expect heavy traffic even on weekdays in the summer and fall. From the back, left-hand corner of the parking lot, get onto Boulder Loop Trail which is also a snowmobile trail at the beginning and is signed as "Trail E" at the parking lot. Little bit of slips rocks and mud but not bad, Amazing view at the summit. Boulder Loop Trail climbs easily at first then gets steeper as it winds amongst ledge and boulders. 2011 (41) In a short distance there is an old stone cellar hole on the right. Mt. And the trails are well marked. Located in Alton, just 7 miles south of Ellacoya State Park, a short hike up Mt. Blue skies with temperature at trail head of 60F at 7 AM. (3.9 km) , 1,150 ft., 1 hr. and ascends alongside it, with loose footing on some severely eroded sections (some of which have been bypassed). Bugs were not annoying but they left their marks. The summit of Mt. Rain showers likely before 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. If you like rock scrambles and rock climbing this trail is awesome for that! Anna, Straightback Mountain - South Peak, North Avery Hill, Goat Pasture Hill, NH via Red Trail, Blue Trail, Straightback Mountain Trail, bushwhack, Old Stage Road, Looped Secret View Trailby: KenM / newenglandtrailconditions, Apr 22 | Mt. Major via Boulder Loop and Brook Trails. ), 850 ft., 1 hr.25 min. Mt Major Trail Map | Trailforks Nice views of Winnipesaukee. Watching boats on the lake is a common pastime from the summit, and the biggest boat of all is the M/S Mount Washington. from many hiking websites across the Internet. Brook Trail Description Major, NH via Boulder Trail, Jesus Valley-Beaver Pond Trail, Brook Trail, Bay View Trailby: KenM / newenglandtrailconditions, Apr 28 | Mt. gets a extreme amount of people hiking it so try to start as early as possible. Took us about an hour to hike up and the same on the way down. The hike ascends via Boulder Loop Trail and descends on Major-Straightback Link, Brook Trail, and Mount Major Trail. At a low point at 0.2 mi. The trail had widened a bit and began to level out in steepness. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. The rocky top of this mountain provides an expansive and beautiful view of Lake Winnipesaukee. There are 3 trails now and all trails did not recognize the boulder loop trail? 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Not too buggy today. After 0.7 mile on Mount Major Trail, you will reach the parking lot that you started from. Trekking poles might have been nice with the deep snow and ice as we came down the mountain. But, as they say, a day on the trail is better than a day in the office. Mt. Major Summit Trails | Belknap Range Trails Belknap Range Hike 1: Mount Major Sunset Hike - Trekking Sketches (2.4 km), 1,150 ft ., 1 hr. The loop described below is a perfect half-day hike whether you are 5 years old or 65 years old; a first time hiker or an experienced peak bagger during any season. Klem, Rand Mountain, West Quarry Mountain, NH via Reed Road Trail, Dave Roberts Quarry Trail, Blue Trail, Red Trail, Mt. Enjoy this 3.6-mile loop trail near Alton Bay, New Hampshire. Gotta say, these New Hampshirites definitely undersold the intensity of the hike it was advertised as an easy 3.5 miler and my southern lungs/legs would have described it differently (especially given Brook trail up and down made it 4.4 miles), but it was worth it for the views and the fun. In fact, there are at least four more trails from this parking lot to the summit of Mt. Major trail go? 2016 (47) 2010. Dry and beautiful! The Brook trail turns left, easterly (blazed yellow and blue here). I understand why they say the main trail is family friendly. Major Trail, well-blazed in blue, begins at a parking area on NH11, 4.2 mi. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Get ready for a Major Hike with a spectacular view of Lake Winnepasuakee. Beautiful, very little mud, breezy with some bugs!! Awesome quick evening hike, Lots of diff terrain. On the return, take the trail heading W toward Mt. 90% of travelers recommend this experience. What if the parking lot is full, what are alternatives to still hike Mt Major? There's a big map of the Mount Major trails located in the parking lot. February (103) Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. For the descent from the summit via the Mount Major Trail, follow the blue blazes northeast directly down the ledges towards the southern part of Lake Winnipesaukee. Had a great time! The parking lot is usually crowded with plenty of cars parked on the highway. Distance from parking lot: 1.8 miles. We did a quick google search for Mount Major on Saturday morning prior to making the trip. NH 52 With A View Explore Mt. Very crowded by 9am on the weekend, so plan ahead! At the top of Mt. Hiking info, trail maps, and 466 trip reports from Mount Major (1,786 ft) in the Belknap Mountains of New Hampshire. Instagram Major Trail climbs steeply through second growth and over ledges, with some steep scrambles near the top. Share this page's content on a social network. Haha. The Brook Trail (yellow) is much less steep and much easier on the knees than the other trails when making your descent. Its route to Alton Bay takes it past the mountain on Sundays and Thursdays during the summer at about 11 AM, departing the docks at about 11:30 AM. will be added to the main trail notes. | Must See Sites, Luxury Catamaran Sailing Charters in Maine, Kancamagus Scenic Byway Audio Driving Tour Guide, Guided Sunset Kayak Tour on Sebago Lake, Maine, Old Port "Seafood Lovers" Walking Lunch Tour in Portland, Maine, Sunset Lighthouse Harbor Cruise from Portland's Old Port, 2 Hours | Portland, Maine Hidden Histories Walking Tour. A phantom trailbuilder is at work in the Belknap Range. Meet the Winemakers - Seven Birches Winery Tour, Explore the Islands & Harbor Bike Tour | 2hrs. Fun hike on a sunny day. We hiked the mountain in May and again in October. to starting point via complete loop: 3.9 mi. At the top of the pitch it turns right, then left and runs at easy grades through pine and oak woods, then ascends gradually over open ledges, with increasing views east and south, to the summit. (2.6 km. Itsplendor calls to beginners as well as experienced hikers. No bugs. Major Trail, Brook Trail, Rock Cave Trail, Crosscut Saw Trail, Bypass Trail, East Quarry Mountain, Straightback Mountain - North Peak, Mt. Trail conditions were great Fri of Memorial Day Weekend. I am planning to bring my dad. It takes a lot of time , money , and effort (including espresso shots ) to run MyHikes, including hiking Distance from parking lot: 1.8 miles. I hiked up to Mount Major today with my wife. The yellow route will take a little longer but it is a little easier. This is a fantastic winter hike, but hikers need to be prepared for icy conditions. About the Hike: Mt. Please make sure you have plenty of water/drink. This is a great spot for a break and a picnic before heading back down. Donate Continue on Beaver Pond Trail until you reach the Jesus Valley Road Trail. For this hike I decided to head up the Mt. ), 1,150 ft., 2 hr. Major, NH via Boulder Loop Trail, Brook Trailby: RollingRock / newenglandtrailconditions, May 12 | West Quarry Mountain, Straightback Mountain, Mt Major, Straightback Mountain - North Peak, East Quarry Mountain, NH, NH via Reed Road Trail, Dave Roberts Quarry Trail, Marsh Trail, Mt Major Main Trail, Quarry Spur Trail by: CookiesOnTop & GoldRush / newenglandtrailconditions, May 10 | Mt. to unlock perks for as little as $0.83/month with a 1-time non-recurring payment The views are at the top are exceptional. The topo map has a trail to Mt. Choose from Facebook, Twitter, Digg, Yahoo, MySpace, and more. The base layer was greatneed to purchase that for the entire family for future hikes. Follow the trail which will split and rejoin and after 0.7 mile, you will reach a junction where Mount Major Trail (blazed in blue) goes sharply left while Brook Trail (blazed in yellow) continues straight ahead. Main trail was exciting especially towards the end! The water was still fairly easy to avoid, so waterproof shoes are not needed. northwest to the junction of the Brook Trail (blazed yellow). closest to the elevation of 1786 feet . Brought our friends up here for their first time hike. In other directions, you get views of the Belknap Mountain range, the White Mountains including Mt Washington and, turning south, other mountains in southern NH. Compiled and Edited by Gene Daniell and Steven D. Smith. Description The ascent is via Mount Major Trail, Brook Trail, and Major-Straightback Link. A traction system for our boots to assist on the ice-covered slopes would have been a big help. Mt. It climbs moderately up a woods road also used as a snowmobile trail to a T-jct. View was non existent until we were back down in the parking lot. Submit Your Site, NH 100 Highest For a limited time, get up to 80% off on select outlet outerwear, climbing gear, ski equipment, lifestyle apparel, and more. Sunday Night turns right up a bank past a boulder where a woods road continues ahead. The large parking area is 4.2 mi. Equipment not necessary.. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Enjoy! At 0.5 mi. Major Trail was a bit steeper and worked its way up some open, rocky ledges at times. All trails are great during winter, however the main Mount Major Trail (blue) has several steep sections that make it far more difficult in winter. Great view 360. Major Parking Lot. Mt Major, Lake Winnipesaukee NH - Trailspotting Mt. After 0.4 mile, turn right to stay on Boulder Loop Trail while Beaver Pond Trail diverges to the left. MOUNT MAJOR - 108 Photos & 49 Reviews - Route 11, Belknap, New Hampshire - Hiking - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Auto Services Mount Major 49 reviews Unclaimed Hiking Edit See all 109 photos Write a review Add photo is steeper and has you going over a few rock ledges, so you may on occasions be on all fours. 2014 (36) Or you can simply We went on a whim and were not prepared. Major Hwy, however on busy days, you will need to park along the road as the lot fills up quickly. Walk for 0.5 mile, first passing by a junction on the left with Beaver Pond Trail, and then arriving at the junction with Brook Trail. At both crossings in higher water some very creative rock hopping is required to keep your feet dry. Actual vs. Markers are very clear. Trail was good, wet in some spots but not bad. Major Trail Description The view at the top was amazing. Went up the Blue trail and down the yellow/blue. Distance from parking lot: 2.4 miles. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. It recrosses the brook at 0.7 mi. ): 1.6 mi. Went with the yellow trail up and blue down. Mount Major is one of New Hampshires most hiked mountains. Anna, Mt. The most beautiful views of the lake and mountains.