Gunstock & Belknap Mt Loop, NH

• 4-star hike
• 5 mile loop
• Moderate | Gain 1,800 feet
• Gilford, NH | Lakes Region
. NH Fire Towers

The image shows a scenic view from a rocky outcrop on a mountain or hill. There is a person lying on the rocks in the foreground, wearing outdoor clothing and a cap, looking out towards the landscape. The background features a forested area with evergreen trees and a distant view of rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky. There are also several rock cairns (piles of stones) visible on the rocky surface.

Enjoying sweeping panoramas from near the summit of Piper Mountain.

A worthy five mile hike to bag three different mountain peaks, plus a fire tower and some great panoramic views over the Lake Region. If you're hiking during the mountain's ski operations like we did, you'll even find a pub on top of Gunstock Mountain!

We prefer to begin our hike in a clockwise direction, bearing left off the forest road and heading uphill towards Gunstock Mountain. Tackling the first and steepest twelve hundred feet of elevation first is a big advantage, though thankfully even the steepest of trails on this route isn't really much of a thigh-burner. Watch out that you don't take the false trail to the right of the overlook before the summit that will lead you to a dead end - remember to backtrack to the overlook junction and bear left as you continue to the top of Gunstock. These western slopes of Gunstock are heavily wooded and don't interact at all with the ski resort.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 4★ Gunstock Belknap Piper Loop 5.0 mi loop, moderate, gain 1800 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

From here, weave in a Southeasterly direction from Brook Trail to Saddle Trail to Blue Trail until you find yourself on top of Belknap Mountain. At 2,380 feet this is the highest of the three peaks on this route.

There's been a fire tower on this mountain since 1913, though it's been replaced or rebuilt several times and lifted an additional ten feet in 1979. You can climb the stairs of the firetower to admire the views from underside the locked cabin. One of over twenty standing fire towers in the state, the Mount Kearsarge Fire Tower is included in the New Hampshire Fire Tower Quest. Visit just five of these towers and receive a complimentary Tower Quest patch and water bottle decal. Check out the Trailspotting Fire Tower link at the foot of this page for more information and a map to all fire towers in New England.

The image shows a ski lift with several chairs suspended by cables, carrying people over a snowy landscape. The background features a scenic view of snow-covered mountains, forests, and a partially frozen lake. The ski lift is supported by a green pole with a yellow base.

Chairlift at the summit of Gunstock Mt. There's even a pub up here!

Head downhill on the White Trail, enjoying the views towards Manning Lake on the way. After descending around 500 feet pick up the Old Piper Trail for your last ascent of the day - the 200 feet to Piper Mountain. The views from here are great, and you don't have to take the additional short out-and-back journey to stand on the summit proper unless you're looking for bragging rights. Returning to the trailhead on the Piper Mountain Trail is all downhill from here.

Conditions along the trail are fair, with only some rocks and roots underfoot. If you're looking to bag the Belknap fire tower without the other peaks, then AllTrails has a 1.7 mile route, though you'll need to add on 1.3 miles each way if the forest road gate is locked during winter and spring.

The image shows a person walking on a snow-covered trail in a forest. The trail is surrounded by trees, some of which have orange markers on them. The scene suggests a winter or early spring hike, with patches of snow still present on the ground. The forest appears dense with a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees, and the sunlight is filtering through the branches, creating a serene and natural atmosphere.

Though much of the route is wooded, summit and overlook views are terrific.

The image shows a tall, wooden fire lookout tower with a small enclosed cabin at the top. The tower is supported by a metal framework and is anchored with several guy wires. The structure appears weathered and aged, with some rust visible on the metal parts. The surrounding area is forested, with evergreen trees visible in the foreground and background. The sky is clear and blue, indicating a sunny day.

Belknap fire tower.

The image shows a scenic view from a high vantage point, likely from a lookout tower or similar structure. The foreground includes metal beams with some graffiti etched into them. Beyond the beams, there is a dense forest of evergreen trees, and in the distance, there are large bodies of water, possibly lakes, with some ice or snow visible on them. The background features a range of mountains under a clear blue sky.

Fire tower views.

Tangents:
• Public Map at AllTrails: Piper Belknap Gunstock Loop
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

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