South Moat Mountain and North Moat Mountain via Moat Mountain Trail
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South Moat Mountain and North Moat Mountain Hike Overview
South Moat Mountain (2,770’) and North Moat Mountain (3,196’) are beautiful mountains in the southern section of the White Mountains near North Conway. South Moat is one of the most popular hikes in the area because of its breathtaking 360-degree views. Because both mountains offer incredible views, they are on the 52 With a View List!
Trail Details
Trail: Moat Mountain Trail
Length: 10.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,430 feet
My Trail Time: 5 hours hiking; 6:30 hours total
Hike Overview
This traverse heads north over South Moat Mountain, Middle Moat Mountain, and North Moat Mountain. You can hike Moat Mountain Trail as an out-and-back, which is what I did, or have a car spot and hike the entire traverse, ending at Diana’s Bath.
This hike is long and strenuous, but it has some of the best views in the area! Most of the elevation is gained along the first half of the trail leading to South Moat, with another steep section just below the summit of North Moat.
South Moat Mountain is a popular hike, so I recommend arriving at the trailhead early to secure a parking spot. The parking lot fills up quickly on the weekends!
South Moat Mountain and North Moat Mountain via Moat Mountain Trail Guide
August 13, 2022
**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly.
South Moat Mountain and North Moat Mountain have been on my hiking bucket list for a long time, so I was so excited to finally hike them! I ended up hiking solo because my friend had something come up last minute, but the trail was perfect for a solo hike because I had service along it. Finding service anywhere in the White Mountains is rare, so I was excited to have it!
I began the hike on Moat Mountain Trail around 7:30 AM on a beautiful Saturday morning. The summits were supposed to be in the 40s with a light breeze, which was perfect. The first mile of the hike traveled on a well-maintained trail through a beautiful forest, which was the perfect warm-up for what was coming. After the first mile, Moat Mountain Trail became difficult to follow because the trail looked like it was rerouted within the past few years. It entered a small boulder field and ascended steeply before reaching exposed rock slabs. I would not hike Moat Mountain Trail if it rained recently because of the exposed rock! There were views along this part of the trail, and it was a little easier to deal with the steep section!
After feeling like the elevation would never end, I finally reached South Moat Mountain and was blown away by the views! I could see into the Lakes Region, Mount Chocorua, the Presidentials, and North Conway. The 360-degree views were incredible and quickly became some of my favorites in New Hampshire!
After enjoying a quick snack break, I began the hike to Middle Moat Mountain. The trail became difficult to follow along the ridge, but there were rock cairns to help me navigate. The trail from South Moat Mountain to Middle Moat Mountain was a quick and easy half-mile, although I think the views helped the time go by fast! Middle Moat Mountain had similar views to South Moat Mountain, and I could see what looked like the long trek to North Moat Mountain.
I spent some time on Middle Moat Mountain, enjoying the beautiful views, before beginning the journey to North Moat Mountain. Moat Mountain Trail dipped back into the forest through lots of blueberry bushes. They were delicious and the perfect mid-hike snack! The trail to North Moat Mountain was not too difficult until I got closer to the summit. The final push was steep and tough, but as soon as I arrived at North Moat Mountain, the breathtaking views made me forget everything else.
North Moat Mountain had my favorite views because I felt like I could see every piece of the White Mountains. The 360-degree views made every sore muscle I had worth it. And the best part? I had most of the summits to myself, including North Moat Mountain. It was incredibly peaceful to enjoy a snack and the beautiful views. I spent the most time on North Moat Mountain because I was mesmerized by the mountains. Every time I hike in the White Mountains, I fall more in love with them.
After a big break, I began to make my way back over to Middle Moat Mountain and South Moat Mountain. My legs were incredibly sore at this point, but I knew the views would soon distract me. The section of Moat Mountain Trail to Middle Moat Mountain seemed endless, but soon enough, I broke through the treeline near the summit. I did not stop at Middle Moat Mountain because the clouds were becoming darker, and I was nervous that it might rain. I quickly hiked back to South Moat Mountain and checked the weather since I had service to see if rain was in the forecast. I was relieved to see it wasn’t, so I enjoyed a lunch break on South Moat Mountain. I honestly did not want to leave the summit because the views were so beautiful, so I was taking my time eating, lol!
Once I finished, more hikers were arriving on South Moat Mountain, so I began my final descent back to the car. The first two miles were steep and tough on my knees but passed quickly. Before I knew it, I was back on the well-maintained and relatively flat first mile of Moat Mountain Trail. I switched back and forth from jogging to hiking since the trail was perfect for some trail running, and before I knew it, I was back to my car.
South Moat Mountain and North Moat Mountain are among my favorite mountains, and the views are unmatched from Moat Mountain Trail. Next time I hike the Moats, I will do the full traverse to Diana’s Bath! Have you hiked South Moat Mountain and North Moat Mountain?
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!