Mt Israel, Squam Lake NH

• 4-star hikes
• 4 mile out-and-back
• Medium difficulty | Gain 1,750 feet
• Sandwich, NH | White Mountains
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The image shows a person standing on a rocky peak surrounded by coniferous trees, with a clear blue sky in the background.

Looking towards the White Mountains from the summit.

Standing at 2,636 feet of elevation and located just four miles north of Squam Lake, Mount Israel's trails lead panoramic viewpoints in all directions. From up here you can enjoy sights that include Squam Lake and the ragged Sandwich mountain range with a White Mountain backdrop.

Leading up the southern flanks of the mountain, The Wentworth Trail is by far the most popular way to reach the summit and features the best lake views of the two routes. Beginning from the Mead Base trailhead and a large parking area, this moderate trail features a steady climb with no rock scrambles to negotiate. Around a third of the way up you'll be accompanied by the sounds of water trickling down a nearby creek before switchbacking away to negotiate a route around a rocky cliff.
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4★ Wentworth Trail 4.3 mi out & back, medium, gain 1752 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

The Wentworth Trail breaks its consistent tree cover as you approach the Squaw Lake overlook. Beyond you'll hike over several false summits as you traverse the partially vegetated ridgeline to reach its highest peak. Mount Israel's sloped summit provides its best panoramas here with a vista that ranges from Stinson Mountain in the west to Mount Chocorua in the east.

Located at the southern reaches of the White Mountain National Forest, this US Forestry service land is accessible at all times of the year. This includes the spring mud season, when many other trails in the Squam Lake region are closed - including nearby Rattlesnake Mountain and Mount Morgan. The Wentworth trailhead includes a trailside potable water spigot by the Mead Base building, and a compostable toilet towards the small campsite.

The image shows a traditional two-story house with white siding and green shutters, situated behind a well-constructed stone wall. The house is surrounded by lush greenery, including tall trees and a manicured lawn.

Mead Base marks the start of the Wentworth Trail.

The Guinea Pond and Mead Trail is the other route to reach Mount Israel's summit. It is much less well traveled and reached by Sandwich Notch Road, which is subject to winter closure. Though this route features less elevation, expect Guinea Pond Trail to be difficult to traverse after wet weather. For those that want to investigate further, we've included an AllTrails link in the Tangents section at the bottom of this article. Ticks are reportedly a particular problem on this trail also.

Mount Israel 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 scenic landscape framed by tree branches and foliage. In the foreground, there are coniferous trees on either side, creating an opening that reveals rolling hills covered with dense forests. This leads to a body of water with multiple inlets or bays. In the background, there are more hills or low mountains under a clear blue sky.

Lake views from the Wentworth Trail.

A panoramic view of a mountainous landscape under a clear blue sky. The foreground is filled with dense greenery, primarily coniferous trees, while the background features rolling mountains that fade into the distance.

Northerly views towards Mt Sandwich from the summit.

A person walking on a forest trail, wearing a backpack. They are surrounded by tall trees with green foliage, and the ground is covered with fallen leaves. The trail appears well-trodden, suggesting it might be a popular route for hikers. Sunlight filters through the canopy, adding to the serene atmosphere.

Wentworth Trail is a steady climb.

Tangents:
• Trailspotting: 52-With-A-View List, NH Challenge Lists
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Wentworth Trail, Guinea & Mead Trail
• Facebook Group: Follow, Comment on this Article

Trailspotting Nearby
4★ Rattlesnake Mt (2-4 mi) · 4★ Mts Morgan & Percival (4-5 mi) · 4★ Sandwich Mt (6-8 mi) · Show Map

NH 52 With A View
Trailspotting map and routes to reach the 52 New Hampshire peaks with the best views in the state!

New Hampshire Lake Trails
Find trails that feature lakes along their journey.