Mount Roberts NH via Mount Roberts Trail
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Mount Roberts NH Hike Details
Trail: Mount Roberts Trail
Miles: 5.2 miles
Hours: 2.5 hiking; 3 total
Mount Roberts NH Hike Overview
Mount Roberts (2,582’) is a beautiful mountain near the Castle in the Clouds and offers stunning views overlooking the Lakes Region in New Hampshire. The actual summit of Mount Roberts has some views, but the best are at various viewpoints below the summit. The parking lot is near the Castle in the Clouds and fills up quickly in the summer and fall months.
Note: The Mountain Roberts Trail to Mount Roberts gains over 1,300 feet of elevation, so there are a few steep sections. Many parts of the trail travel over exposed rock, which could get slick after recent rainfall.
Mount Roberts NH via Mount Roberts Trail Guide
September 25, 2022
**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly.
Mount Roberts had been on my bucket list for a while, so I was excited to hike it! Since finishing the 4,000 footers, I have been slowly chipping away at the 52 With a View List, which has been fun! The views from each of the mountains do not disappoint.
I hiked Mount Roberts with my friend Molly on a beautiful Sunday in September. Although this is a popular hike in the Lakes Region, we had most of the trail to ourselves for the entire morning. We arrived at the trailhead around 9 AM and began our hike. We parked in the first parking lot near Shannon Pond and walked towards the building with the white fence. There was a small trail sign near the building that led us to the Mount Roberts Trail behind the building.
The first mile of the Mount Roberts Trail traveled through a beautiful forest and did not gain much elevation, which was a nice warm-up for our legs. And we were greeted with our first viewpoint soon after we passed the first-mile mark. A small spur led to a small but beautiful view overlooking the lakes. I have learned never to skip a spur trail that has a view sign.
After the first mile, the trail started to ascend steeper than before, but nothing that was too crazy. Mount Roberts Trail was well-maintained, so it was easy to follow the entire way to Mount Roberts. Along the next mile or so, we popped in and out of the trees and had beautiful views overlooking the surrounding area. Around the two-mile mark, we reached the best viewpoint along the Mount Roberts Trail! We also could see the first signs of fall, with some trees beginning to turn.
We decided to hike to the actual summit of Mount Roberts before returning to the best viewpoint to enjoy a snack. We followed the Mount Roberts Trail back into the treeline before reaching a small rock cairn with a sign noting where the summit was. The views from Mount Roberts were incredible, looking north towards the White Mountains. We could even see Mount Washington in the far distance!
After summiting, we returned to our favorite viewpoint and enjoyed a quick snack. We could have stayed there for hours, enjoying the beautiful weather and views! When we began our descent, we passed a few groups of hikers, and they were the first people we had seen on the trail all morning. I always love starting the day early and having a quiet hike! The descent was quick and easy, and before we knew it, we were back at the trailhead.
Before leaving, we noticed that the Cafe in the Clouds was open, so we decided to grab some ice cream, which was delicious! They also had a lot of food and beverage options, which is great after a hike.
Have you hiked Mount Roberts?