Mount Kearsarge NH via Winslow and Barlow Trail Loop
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.
Mount Kearsarge NH Hike Overview
Mount Kearsarge (2,935’) is one of the most hiked mountains on the 52 With a View because it is one of the most southern mountains on the list and offers breathtaking 360-degree views. It makes you work for the views, but it is a fun hike, and the views make the effort worth it!
Trail Details
Trail: Winslow Trail > Barlow Trail
Length: 2.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,110 feet
My Trail Time: 1.75 hours hiking; 2.25 hours total
Hike Overview
Mount Kearsarge is in Winslow State Park, making it one of the most southern mountains on the 52 With a View List. The road leading to the most popular trailhead is closed in winter, so the road walk adds about 2 miles to the hike when the gate is closed.
Although a few trails lead to the summit of Mount Kearsarge, the most popular route is the Winslow Trail and Barlow Trail Loop. Usually, hikers ascend Winslow Trail because it is steeper and descend Barlow Trail, which is what I recommend doing.
This loop is only 2.5 miles, but it is not easy. The Winslow Trail gains over 1,000 feet of elevation in a mile up rocky and rugged terrain, and the second half of the trail climbs steeply over rock slabs. It makes you work for the views, but it is fun!
Also, because Mount Kearsarge is a popular hike, the parking lot fills up early, especially on weekends. I highly recommend arriving early to secure a spot and enjoy the trail with fewer people.
Note: The 52 With a View List has two mountains called Kearsarge on it. This one is in southern New Hampshire, and Kearsarge North is near North Conway.
Looking to track your hikes while completing the 52 With a View List?
Whether you're chasing stunning summit views or documenting your adventures, this journal helps you track essential hike details, jot down memories, and reflect on your journey!
Each journal includes:
- individual pages for each mountain
- space to log stats about the hike
- sections to journal about your favorite moments
- completion tracker to celebrate your progress
- and fun extras like Hiking Bingo!
Mount Kearsarge NH via Winslow and Barlow Trail Loop Guide
October 15, 2017
**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly.
Mount Kearsarge was among the first mountains I hiked on the 52 With a View List before I even knew the list existed! At the time, I was hiking mostly in the southern part of New Hampshire because it was a quicker drive for me, and Mount Kearsarge was next on my list!
My sister, dad, and I wanted to hike a short and sweet trail with stunning views, so we picked Mount Kearsarge. We hiked it on a beautiful fall day and we, surprisingly, did not share the trail with as many people as we thought.
We decided to hike the Winslow and Barlow Trail Loop in Winslow State Park since that was the most popular route. We arrived at the trailhead around 9:00 AM and were excited to see the beautiful foliage. It was pretty late in the season, so we did not know what to expect for foliage colors.
We started our ascent on the Winslow Trail and immediately knew we underestimated it. We were well prepared with gear, but mentally, we were not as prepared. Winslow Trail was steep right out of the gate, and the elevation gain was relentless. Just when we thought the trail could not get steeper, it did, haha!
Winslow Trail was incredibly rocky, with some sections more like boulder fields and others with stone steps. Although it was steep, it was so fun and beautiful!
As we neared the summit of Mount Kearsarge, the trail steeply ascended rock slabs. These were slightly wet from recent rain, but we luckily could bypass the slippery areas. I would not want to hike this trail when the slabs are icy!
We also started getting some stunning views from the rock slabs, which mentally helped with the steep climb! Winslow Trail converged with Barlow Trail, and before we knew it, we were at the summit and rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views.
The summit of Mount Kearsarge was huge, and we found a quiet spot to take a break and enjoy a snack. We also took a few minutes to walk up to the fire tower.
The wind started to pick up quickly, so we decided to begin our descent on Barlow Trail. Although Barlow Trail is far less steep than Winslow Trail, it was still rugged with rocks and roots - the typical New Hampshire trail. We appreciated descending this trail because it felt like a breeze compared to Winslow Trail.
The descent flew by because we were trying to beat what looked like a storm moving in. And before we knew it, we were back at the parking lot, which was incredibly crowded when we returned. We were happy we started when we did.
I would love to hike Mount Kearsarge again because the views were incredible, and it was so fun!
Have you hiked Mount Kearsarge?
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!