Adventure Hiking: Mount Kearsarge, NH

Mount Kearsarge, located in the New Hampshire towns of Warner and Wilmot, is a moderate mountain that provides trails for hikers of all skills and fitness levels. For novice climbers, or those looking for the quickest way to the summit, the parking lot at Rollins State Park is located just a half mile hike from the top of the mountain. This side of the mountain is accessed from the town of Warner. Entrance from the other side of the mountain is found in the town of Wilmot, which includes longer trails between one and two miles in length.

Rollins State Park features two trails for visitors. The Rollins Trail is the easier of the two options, featuring only moderate inclines. The Lincoln Trail is a more aggressive path, which requires scaling rocks, climbing steep and jagged ledges and careful footwork. Most novice and amateur visitors should stick to the Rollins Trail which provides a safer and less strenuous ascent to the summit.

From the Wilmot side of Mount Kearsarge, the Barlow Trail offers another moderate trail, but a longer climb than the Rollins Trail. Overall, the Barlow Trail stretches approximately 1.8 miles from start to summit. Like the Lincoln Trail, this side of the mountain also features a more challenging alternative in the Winslow Trail, which offers advanced and steeper terrain.

The summit at Mount Kearsarge is primarily bare rock, topped by a couple of picnic tables and the old fire tower. The summit measures 2,937 feet in elevation, but has a prominence of over 2,000 feet. This prominence creates an excellent viewing opportunity for hikers who reach the summit, including views of Canada, New Hampshire's Presidential chain in the White Mountains and even the city of Boston on a clear day.

Overall, Mount Kearsarge is an enjoyable hike for those that enjoy the outdoors. The summit provides excellent photograph opportunities, and the Lincoln and Winslow trails offer a more challenging option for advanced rock climbers. At the top of the mountain, climbers will find an assortment of both young and old adventurists. The mountain trails are also popular for dog owners who choose to bring their canine friends along for the climb. Mount Kearsarge is a great day excursion for climbers, photographers or outdoors people in the greater Merrimack County region.

Rollins Trail (Kearsarge) HikeNH Kearsarge, HikeNH.com

Barlow Trail - New Hampshire Barlow Trail Kearsarge, HikeNH.com