Mt Pemigewasset, Lincoln NH


• 4-star hike
• 4 to 5 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 1,250 to 1,540 feet
• Lincoln, NH | White Mountains
.   52-With-A-View   alt text The image shows a person sitting on a rocky outcrop, overlooking a vast, forested landscape with mountains in the distance. The scene is serene and expansive, with a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees. The sky is partly cloudy, with patches of blue visible.
Sitting on the forehead of Indian Head, looking South.

Where some people see just a rock, New Hampshire folk see a whole lot more. A cliff becomes an old man in a mountain, a boulder becomes a bullfrog, or in this case a mountain peak becomes a native American in full head-dress. The hotel beneath the mountain that offers views of the peak is still known as the Indian Head Resort, but today the mountain is more commonly known as Mount Pemigewasset.

Often overlooked in favor of larger White Mountain peaks and the wildly popular Flume Gorge trail, the summit of Mount Pemigewasset offers excellent views and is well worth the hike. The great southerly views are to be found at a viewpoint close to the top, and more Easterly views of Mount Liberty and the Flume Gorge are available at the summit itself.
⬤ 4★ Mt Pemigewasset Trail   3.5 mi out & back, moderate, gain 1,250 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?
⬤ 4★ Indian Head Trail   3.7 mi out & back, moderate, gain 1,540 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions
⬤ 4★ Loop Trail   4.6 mi loop, moderate, gain 1,500 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

⬤ Mt Pemigewasset Trail
Start by the huge Flume Gorge parking lot and head up the Mount Pemigewasset trail on this out-and-back route. After crossing under three road bridges, the twelve hundred foot climb to the summit passes over a couple of easily navigable streams and the occasional switchback, but the hike really doesn't feel that steep.

⬤ Indian Head Trail
An out-and-back route beginning at a trailhead close to the Indian Head Resort hotel. This is a slightly more rocky trail and you can see the profile of the mountain from hotel and nearby road. There's a minor rock scrable near the summit.

The image shows a person hiking in a forest during autumn. The individual is walking on a log over a small stream, surrounded by trees with orange and brown leaves. The forest floor is covered with fallen leaves, and there are rocks and moss visible.
Crossing a stream on the way up Pemigewasset Trail.

⬤ Loop Trail
We chose to get the most out of this mountain by combining the two trails into a single counter-clockwise loop by including a snowmobile trail that connects the trailheads together at the bottom of the valley. Close to the end of the Indian Head Trail we left the path and crossed over to the Indian Head Resort roads before picking up the aforementioned snowmobile trail that led us back to our starting point.

Mount Pemigewasset is featured as part of the New Hampshire 52 With A View hiking list, which showcases peaks with some the best scenic views in the state. Check out the link at the foot of this article if you'd like to explore the full list, see our map or read our trail reviews from other routes on this list.

The image is split into two sections. The left section shows a totem pole with various carvings, including a large bird at the top, a turtle below it, a butterfly, and a white animal at the bottom. The right section shows a wooden sign with text and an outline of a rock profile resembling a human head. The text on the sign reads: 'INDIAN HEAD ROCK PROFILE FORMED BY GLACIAL ACTION THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO FULLY EXPOSED IN A FOREST FIRE IN THE EARLY 1900'S THE PROFILE, ONCE USED BY CHIEF PEMIGEWASSET AS A LOOKOUT, NOW STANDS AS A MONUMENT TO HIS REIGN OVER THE VALLEY'.
Seen by the Indian Head Resort.

Tangents:
• AllTrails Public: Pemi Trail, Indian Head
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us


New Hampshire 52 With A View
NH 52 With A View
Routes to reach the 52 New Hampshire peaks with supreme views.
Rail Trail Map of New England
Rail Trails of New England
The first and only complete rail trail map. With photos, reviews and downloads.
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