Mount Hayes, Gorham NH

• 4-star hikes
• 6 to 7 mile options
• Medium difficulty | Gain 1,680 to 2,060 feet
• Gorham, NH | White Mountains
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The image shows a person standing on a rocky outcrop, overlooking a vast, lush mountainous landscape. The sky is mostly clear, with a few clouds, and the view extends to a horizon filled with layered mountain ranges. The individual is facing away from the camera, seemingly admiring the natural beauty and vastness of the scene.

Afternoon views of Mts Washington and Madison.

Perched on the northern boundary of the New Hampshire White Mountains, Mount Hayes boasts 4-star trails leading to a spectacular 5-star panorama. From the ledges south of the summit, a sweeping view unfolds revealing the town of Gorham, framed by the towering grandeur of the highest mountains of the Presidential Range.

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Mahoosuc View & Summit
The Mahoosuc Trail leading directly to this view is our favorite route. The journey begins by stepping onto a walkway that threads through the cross-bracing of a former steel railroad bridge. The bridge crosses the Androscoggin River and on its top deck now carries ATVs and occasional bicycle riders along the Androscoggin Rail Trail.
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4★ Mahoosuc View & Summit 7.0 mi out-and-back, medium, gain 1,790 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

4★ Centennial View Summit & View 7.4 mi out-and-back, medium, gain 2,060 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

4★ Mahoosuc View 5.9 mi out-and-back, medium, gain 1,680 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

You'll eventually join this rail trail for a short distance. After crossing over the Upper Gorham Power Canal you'll hang a right, follow a trail and then a dirt road, before reaching a single-track woodland trail that ascends the mountain adjacent to a creek. On the way to the summit there's also a 0.3 mile round-trip spur to Mascot Pond, which is the site of the former Gorham lead mine mill. The workings, including a mine entrance are still visible on Leadmine Ledge above.

A hike to this mountain's best viewpoint on the Mahoosuc Trail is only a 5.9 mile and 1,680 foot round-trip. If you'd like to continue further and bag the peak then you're looking at an additional mile, but only a modest amount of further elevation gain. From the summit expect to find some new northerly mountain views, but nothing half as good as those from the main viewpoint. Though Mount Hayes' flat summit is unmarked as far as we could tell, its location is very close to the marked junction with the Centennial Trail.

The image shows a person from behind, wearing a yellow jacket and a backpack, walking through a dense forest. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere.

Sunbeams on a morning Mahoosuc Trail hike.

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4★ Centennial View Summit & View
The Centennial Trail traces a route up the southeastern flanks of the mountain from a trailhead close to the Androscoggin River Reservoir Dam. A slightly longer journey with more elevation gain, the best thing this trail has going for it is silence. In fact, half way up the mountain the surroundings were so quiet we could hear our own heart beating, interrupted only by an occasional bird or squirrel chirp. Shrouded by forest, this trail offers little in the way of views, and until the granite caps near the summit the woodland terrain remains mostly unchanged.

We found the terrain on both trails to be on the easy side of medium, requiring climbing only modest gradients and with few rocks and roots to contend with. Centennial Trail does have a brief rocky section to tackle, but nothing that we'd describe as a scramble.

Mount Hayes 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. The link at the foot of this article takes you to Trailspotting's map of the peaks on the full list and shows all of the trails on which to reach them. Follow us as we explore all the peaks on this list and publish trail reviews featuring descriptions, photography and downloadable maps.

The image shows a forest scene with a narrow dirt path winding through it. The ground is covered with green moss and patches of bluish lichen. On the left side of the path, there are several small coniferous trees, while the right side has denser, mature trees with thicker trunks. Four white mushrooms with wide caps are visible near the path on the left. Sunlight filters through the canopy, creating a dappled light effect on the forest floor.

Mighty mushrooms atop Mount Hayes.

The image shows two views of a bridge. On the left, there’s a long view down the walkway, highlighting the metal truss design and the repeating pattern of beams. On the right, there’s a close-up of where several metal beams converge at a joint, with a river visible through the gaps.

Erector-set vibes hiking across Gorham's High Bridge.

Morning presidental views over a cloud-shrouded Gorham.

Tangents:
• Trailspotting: 52-With-A-View List, NH Challenge Lists
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Mahoosuc, Centennial
• Facebook Group: Follow, Like or Leave a Comment

Trailspotting Nearby
5★ Mt Jefferson Caps Ridge (4 mi) · 4★ Mt Washington (8 mi) · 5★ Presidential Rail Trail (19 mi) · Show Map

NH 52 With A View
Maps and routes to the 52 New Hampshire peaks with the best views.

Rail Trails of New England
The region's first and only complete rail trail map.