At 3,165 feet above sea level, and 2,000 feet above the landscape around it, Mount Monadnock not only rises majestically above the Monadnock Region, it defines us. It’s the only peak of its size for many miles and is visible from nearly every one of our 34 towns. It’s among the most hiked mountains in the world. And from the rocky summit you can see 100 miles, and all six new England states.
Get ready, protect yourself, and support NH Fish and Game search and rescue efforts with your voluntary NH Hike Safe card. Learn more about that and other safe packing tips here. And be sure to check out the park site here for seasonal suggestions and information when looking to hike Mount Monadnock.
A man named Garry Harrington hiked to the summit 16 times in 24 hours.
Another man named Larry Davis hiked to the summit every single day for 7.8 years.
Once is unforgettable.
So, about that…at 3,165 feet Mount Monadnock is well under New Hampshire’s 4,400 tree line, but you won’t find trees near the summit. The reason why stretches back to 1800, when a fire was set to clear the lower slopes for pasture land, and accidentally spread to red spruce trees up top. Then, between 1810 and 1820, farmers looking to drive out wolves set fire to the mountain once more, resulting in a blaze that lasted weeks, stripping the mountain of trees and topsoil above 2,000 feet. After all these years of graceful aging, bald is beautiful at the summit, but it wasn’t always that way! Then in 1944, Smokey Bear first appeared, and started setting people straight.
If you’re coming to hike Mount Monadnock, you’ll need a great place to stay. From rustic campgrounds to comfortable hotels and B&Bs, whatever experience you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.
For campers, Monadnock State Park is a great choice with a number of trailheads. Here are other nearby options
The dozens of communities across the Monadnock Region also offer you a varied selection of lodging options close to mountain trails. Check area listings to find the right place to stay for you.
Check out our list of breweries around the region and near Mount Monadnock here.
People from all over the world hike Mount Monadnock for the views. Share yours! Don’t forget your camera, and tag @visitmonadnocknh when you post your photos on social media.
Hike responsibly! Mount Monadnock trails stay pristine for all to enjoy when we strive to leave no trace. So please—carry in, carry out.
Mount Monadnock has been inspiring artists and writers for hundreds of years. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, poet Galway Kinnell and others wrote of how it inspired them, and it has been the subject of countless painting and photographs. Check out the array of art inspired by our fine mountain currently on Etsy
and this selection of fine art prints.
The Monadnock Region is home to many artists who take inspiration from our natural beauty. Learn more about our arts scene here.
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