Trail Run Project Logo

An out-and-back trail with spectacular views across the Belknap Mountains and Lake Winnipesaukee.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

4.3

Miles

6.9

KM

73%

Runnable

2,378' 725 m

High

1,108' 338 m

Low

1,285' 392 m

Up

1,285' 392 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

51%

Max Grade (27°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views

The parking area is not plowed in winter and parking is very limited on Bickford Road.

Overview

This route follows two well-blazed trails to the summit of Mt. Belknap with beautiful view across the lakes area, Round Pond, and the Belknap range. Mt. Belknap is one of the 12 Belknap Range Peaks required to earn the Belknap County Sportsmen’s Association’s Belknap Range Hiker patch.

Need to Know

Trail conditions are updated frequently at www.newenglandtrailconditions.com. NOTE: The parking area is not plowed in winter and parking is VERY Limited on Bickford Road. Therefore, carpooling is highly recommended. There is NO PARKING on Wood Road especially in the driveway leading to the house at the end of the road.

Description

Starting from the small parking area on Wood Road, head out on the East Gilford Trail (Yellow), which starts off with a gentle incline through deciduous woods. As it begins to get steeper, the going becomes rockier and there are some scrambles.

Several other Belknap Range trails intersect along the way, making it easy to connect and create a longer route. After a fairly steep rocky stair-step portion, the trail crosses a few sections of ledge from which, on a clear day, spectacular views can be had across Lake Winnepesaukee and beyond. Beware—these ledges are slippery when wet!

Beyond the ledges, the trail transition to the Warden's Trail (Green) and continues at a gentle incline to the fire tower at the summit. This can be climbed to get an even better 360-degree view of the area, including Squam Lake and Mt. Washington (it's the one with all the clouds on an otherwise clear day!).

Flora & Fauna

Deciduous woods

History & Background

If you're interested in the geology of the Belknap Range read “Stepping-Stones Across New Hampshire: A Geological Story of the Belknap Mountains” by Jay Long, a life-long summer resident of the area.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jennifer Robson

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 2 votes

#3001

Overall
  4.5 from 2 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#34

in New Hampshire

#3,001

Overall
8 Views Last Month
3,221 Since Sep 23, 2017
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%

Photos

Fire tower at the top of Belknap Mountain
Jun 7, 2020 near Gilford, NH
Sweeping lake and mountain views from ledges near the Belknap Mountain summit.
Sep 23, 2017 near Gilford, NH

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.