Mt Moosilauke, Benton NH
• 5-star hikes
• 7 to 8 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 2,470 to 2,570 feet
• Benton, NH | White Mountains Region
.
Hiking down Moosilauke in the direction of South Peak.
At 4,802 feet Mount Moosilauke is the eleventh highest mountain in New England, and its prominence of 3,000 feet dominates the southwestern White Mountain landscape with its three summits. Two of the three peaks are included on formal trail routes, but the third can also be reached with a short informal detour if you're looking to bag them all. Moosilauke is also regarded as one of the easiest 4,000 footers to hike in the White Mountains.
Of all the routes up the mountain, the trails from Ravine Road are the shortest and easiest. Though they will be challenging to many and do include several rocky sections, both the Gorge Brook Trail and Carriage Road Trail offer forgiving moderate gradients and moments of flat easy-going trails. Expect trail bridges at all significant creek crossings, and well-signposted junctions.
| ⬤ 5★ Carriage Road & Gorge Brook Loop
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX? |
| ⬤ 5★ Gorge Brook Out & Back
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions |
Expect these trails to be popular and well used. Gorge Brook appears to be the most frequented trail, though we'd recommend the loop that adds only an extra half-mile and includes a summit of South Peak which offers excellent views of Moosilauke's main peak. We think a counter-clockwise route is best since it provides a scenic approach up Mount Moosilauke's ridgeline, but as both trails have similar gradients and feature occasional scenic views it doesn't really matter which way around you go.
Parking has been stepped back from the original trailhead due to the trail's popularity and inevitable traffic congestion, so on our map we've marked the trailhead as the point from which no parking becomes permissible. Roadside parking is available south of this position along one side of Ravine Road, and the earlier you arrive the closer to the trailhead you can park. Note that there is a vehicle turnaround at our marked trailhead location, so if you're arriving later in the day you can drive all the way to this point, then turn the vehicle around and take the first available parking spot.
Alpine meadow approaching Moosilauke's tallest peak.
We are yet to chart other routes to the summit, but list them here for consideration until we can provide our reviews. From the West, Glencliff Trail follows part of the Appalachian Trail and at 7.6 miles and 3,330 ft gain requires similar mileage but more elevation gain than the reviewed Gorge Brook or Carriage Road trails. From the North, Beaver Book Trail is 8.6 miles & 3,536 ft gain if you include South Peak and it's considered a challenging and steep route. We've included links to AllTrails' pages below for these two routes.
Trail bridges at all creek crossings.
South Peak has great Moosilauke views. | Taking a break on Gorge Brook Trail.
Moosilauke summit barely peeking through the clouds.
Tangents:
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Carriage Gorge Loop, Gorge O&B, Glencliff Trail, Beaver Brook Trail
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article
New Hampshire 4,000 Footers
Forty eight peaks all above 4,000 feet, including the massive Mt Washington.
Forty eight peaks all above 4,000 feet, including the massive Mt Washington.
New Hampshire Terrifying 25
The most heart-pumping trails in the White Mountains mapped and indexed.
The most heart-pumping trails in the White Mountains mapped and indexed.
