Smarts Mt, Lyme NH

• 5-star hikes
• 6 to 7 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 1,920 to 2,570 feet
• Lyme, NH | Sunapee Region
.   NHFT      52WAV   
One of the few NH fire towers with an accessible cabin.

Smarts Mountain is located twelve miles north of Hanover, close to the neighboring state of Vermont. Offering spectacular views and a fire tower with an accessible cabin, this peak is a satisfying destination for day hikers looking for a quieter alternative to more popular peaks in the region. The summit also features a shelter, making it a good option for those interested in an overnight stay.

Beginning from the southern trailhead, we explored the two most popular trails to the summit of Smarts Mountain and feature them here, complete with downloadable maps. We also show the less popular routes that approach the mountain from the north that we are yet to explore, and identify them with an '*' asterisk.
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5★ Lambert Ridge Trail   7.3 mi out & back, moderate, gain 2,570 ft AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

4★ Ranger & Lambert Ridge Loop   7.0 mi loop, moderate, gain 2,370 ft AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

Daniel Doan Trail*   6.0 mi out & back, gain 1,920 ft Public Map at AllTrails · Directions

J-Trail & Daniel Doan Loop*   7.0 mi loop, gain 1,960 ft Planning Map at AllTrails · Directions

The fire tower on Smarts Mountain, built in 1915, was part of New Hampshire's efforts to monitor forest fires during the logging boom. Originally wooden, it was replaced by the current steel structure in the late 1930s. The tower was staffed by fire wardens who watched for smoke and communicated with other towers. It remained in service until 1980, when modern fire detection methods made it obsolete. Now a preserved landmark, the Smarts Mountain Fire Tower is one of the few in New Hampshire with a cabin that remains unlocked and can be accessed by all.

This is one of over twenty standing fire towers in New Hampshire, all of which are mapped and linked on our Trailspotting Fire Tower List. See the link at the bottom of the page for more details, and for information about the New Hampshire Fire Tower Quest Patch that can be earned.


The first views on the Lambert Ridge Trail are a spectacle.

Smarts Mountain is also 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.

Lambert Ridge Trail
Our favorite of the popular trails, Lambert Ridge Trail leads hikers on a gradual ascent and begins rewarding with spectacular views after only a short distance. Terrain remains moderate throughout, although there are occasional slippery scrambles on slick bare granite surfaces to be negotiated. The granite and quartzite caps of Lambert Ridge reveal the prominent shape of Smarts Mountain ahead of you, though be reassured that its summit is closer than it appears.

The final section of this route merges with the Ranger trail and ascends the summit at a steeper pitch. The rocky trail provides a solid footing for much of the final climb, and a log ladder and some metal rungs help walkers traverse the longest of the slick granite sections. The Lambert Ridge Trail is also a small part of the 2,190 long Appalachian Trail that spans Maine to Georgia.


Don't worry, the forested Smarts Mountain is closer than it looks.

Ranger & Lambert Ridge Loop
Following an old abandoned road for over half its length, the Ranger Trail offers a marginally shorter route to the summit with less elevation gain. Contained entirely within woodland this route provides no views and features only a babbling brook along its route. Best suited as the first part of a counter-clockwise looping route that includes Lambert Ridge Trail, but we'd still prefer an out-and-back journey along Lambert to experience it's great views in both directions.

The first two-thirds of the Ranger Trail is mostly flat, with rocky terrain and increasing gradients beginning at around the two mile mark. This trail becomes more difficult in wet conditions, with some significant mud early on and more slippery rock scrambles towards the summit.


Fire tower cabin views towards Mount Cube.

  Daniel Doan and J-Trails
The Daniel Doan Trail is the shortest route to Smarts Mountain's fire tower, but since its trailhead is located in a more remote area to the north of the mountain it sees much less foot traffic. On our visit we met a couple of people at the fire tower that took this route and they report a small trailhead parking area and easy trail way-finding.

The J-Trail is well-travelled by through hikers on the Appalachian Trail. We've planned a route to explore that connects to J-Trail via the Cross Rivendell Trail and links up to make a loop with Daniel Doan. We have not explored these trails at this time, but include AllTrails links if you wish to check them out.


Looking up at the Smarts Mountain Fire Tower.


Hiking up the misty Ranger Trail next to Grant Brook.

Tangents:
• US Forest Service: Smarts Mountain Trailhead
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Ranger & Lambert Loop, Lambert & J-Trail
• Facebook Group: Follow, Comment on this Article

Trailspotting Nearby
5★ Mount Cube (5-8 mi) · 4★ Boston Lot Lake (3-4 mi) · 5★ Northern Rail Trail (58 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 England Fire Towers
Discover our map of fire towers and the trails to find them.