Kearsarge North NH via Kearsarge North Trail
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, my blog may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Kearsarge North NH Hike Overview
Kearsarge North (3,269’) sits near North Conway in the White Mountains and has a spot on the 52 With a View List, because it offers breathtaking 360-degree views. The summit has a fire lookout that offers the best views at the summit. overlooking the White Mountains and Maine.
Trail Details
Trail: Kearsarge North Trail
Length: 6.2 miles miles
Elevation Gain: 2,560 feet
My Trail Time: 3 hours hiking; 3.5 hours total
Hike Overview
A few trails lead to Kearsarge North, with the most popular is Kearsarge North Trail. The Kearsarge North Trail gains over 2,500 feet of elevation within 3 miles, and the elevation gain is consistent with only a few flat sections.
The last mile is the steepest section with exposed rock sections. But the effort is worth it for the stunning views!
Kearsarge North NH via Kearsarge North Trail Guide
May 21, 2024
**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly.
Kearsarge North had been on the top of my 52 With a View bucket list for the past year, so I was excited to have the opportunity to hike it on a gorgeous weekday in May. I wanted to hike it on a clear day so I could enjoy the 360-degree views, and let me tell you, they did not disappoint!
Although a few trails lead to Kearsarge North, I decided to hike the most popular one, Kearsarge North Trail, because it had the most recent trail reviews. I arrived at the trailhead around 9 AM on a beautiful Tuesday morning, and there was only one other car. The parking lot is very small, only fitting a handful of cars, so if you hike this on a weekend, I recommend arriving as early as you can to get a spot!
Immediately after leaving the parking lot, the trail was very muddy. It looked deep, and I avoided stepping in it by walking on the branches people put through it. It was only the first 0.1 miles of the Kearsarge North Trail, so it was not too bad!
The first mile of the trail was gradual and did not gain much elevation. At least it did not feel like I was gaining that much, which was a nice warm-up for what was to come! This section also passed by a few private properties on the right and what looked to be an old camp on the left. It was boarded up, so I could not tell if it was still operational, but it is a cool spot to have a few cabins!
The second mile began to gain elevation more steeply, but it was not overly strenuous. The trail wandered through a beautiful forest that just begun to be a vibrant green. Unfortunately for me, most of the trees popped a few days earlier, so my allergies were aggressive during this section of the trail. But at least it was beautiful!
The last mile of the Kearsarge North Trail was the most strenuous. It had a few rock slabs with a sneak peek of the views before heading back into the woods to climb steeply up some rocky sections. This section of the trail was also pretty wet. Hiking up steep and slick rock is never fun!
The last section before the summit breaks through the trees and climbs up a few rock slabs. There were a few sections where the trail was not obvious, but I found a few rock cairns that helped keep me on track. Many of the yellow markers on the rocks were fading quite a bit, so I appreciated the rock cairns.
Once you arrive at the summit, you see the Kearsarge North Fire Lookout and a few views between the trees. Although the views from the summit were pretty, the best were from the lookout. The steps leading up to the fire lookout were steep, but as soon as I was at the top, the views were unmatched.
views looking west from kearsarge north
views looking north from kearsarge north
views looking east from kearsarge north
views looking south from kearsarge north
I walked around the Kearsarge North Fire Tower to enjoy the breathtaking 360-degree views. I could see into Southern New Hampshire towards the Lakes Region, Maine, and the White Mountains, including Mount Washington. I highly recommend hiking Kearsarge North on a clear day because the views are beautiful.
The Kearsarge North Fire Tower is open for hikers to enjoy, and it would be a great place to warm up in the winter or escape the wind. It was pretty warm, so I just went in for a look before heading back out to enjoy the views. The summit also has a toilet behind the fire lookout, but I could not find it.
I had the entire summit of Kearsarge North to myself, so I enjoyed a peaceful half-hour, eating snacks and taking in the views. The bugs started coming out, and I got bit a few times, so I decided to head back before they worsened.
Since this is an out-and-back trail, I hiked Kearsarge North Trail back to the parking lot. Descending the slippery and steep rock sections was slow going, but after, I was flying down the trail. Mostly because the bugs became unwanted hiking buddies, and my allergies were pretty bad. I just wanted to get off the trail, haha
I only passed three other hikers on the way down, which felt crazy because the day was beautiful! I guess it was a perk of hiking on a weekday.
If you want to hike Kearsarge North, I highly recommend doing so on a clear day because the 360-degree views from the fire lookout are stunning! It will quickly become one of your favorite hikes, as it did for me. I would love to go back and hike it in the winter, too!
Have you hiked Kearsarge North?
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!