Lake Winnipesaukee Hiking
Looking for exciting New Hampshire activities? Many beautiful places can only be reached overland by hiking, and enthusiasts regard hiking as the best way to see nature. Great views, fresh air, and a bit of exercise are all great rewards for making it to the summit. There are several marked nature trails around Gunstock Mountain Resort. Trail Maps are available in the Mountainside Outfitters and Welcome Center with lists of some of the great hikes and walks around Gunstock). Guests are able to enjoy Lake Winnipesaukee hiking while enjoying their stay at the Shalimar Resort.
Gunstock Mountain
Gunstock offers several trails located in the Belknap Mountain range on which you can hike. As you enter gunstock, you can pick up a trail map at their camp store. They have recently added a new trail, which comes out to an overlook. You can get more information from Gunstock by calling 603-293-4341 or by visiting their website at www.gunstock.com.
Mt. Major
One of the most popular and fantastic views of the lake can be had from the rocky flat top of Mt. Major, which will give you an elevation gain of about 1,100 feet. Most of the hike is pretty easy, as it follows old logging roads. This climb is especially stunning during the fall foliage season. Total trail is about 3 miles in length and is located on Route 11 between Alton and Weirs Beach.
Lockes Hill
A smaller and gentler version of Mt. Major, the Lockes Hill loop offers several places to stop and rest, picnic, or just relax and take in the scenery. If you're in search of the rare and beautiful Lady Slipper flower, there is almost always one set slightly off the trail on the wooded backside of the loop. Lockes Hill can be easily found right off of Route 11 on the way to Alton Bay from Weirs Beach.
Mounts Morgan and Percival
Located in Holderness, this will take you over two peaks in the Squam range, which of course offers views of New Hampshire's most heavily protected body of water, Squam Lake. Coming in at five miles, this trail is best left to the experts or the difficult to tire. Over the course of about four or five hours, you'll gain over 1,400 feet as you reach the summits, which stand at a maximum of 2,212 feet above sea level.
Red Hill
By Lakes Region standards, Red Hill is bigger than some mountains. Its summit rises 2,029 feet above sea level; you however, will only have to climb 1,370 of those feet. Red Hill is a long flat-topped ridge, rising up from nearly flat ground at its base. At its top sits a fire tower, which makes spotting Red Hill easy, even from great distances. Located off a market dirt road from Bean Road in Center Harbor, Red Hill offers moderate hiking and unsurpassed views.
Lakes Region Nature Walks
The Lakes Region Conservation Trust owns 70 properties totaling over 10,000 acres, most of those acres are open to the public. Some of their properties offer hiking trails and nature walks, and are an outdoor lover’s dream come true. Some of the properties the trust owns are Islands; Stonedam Island is one of our favorites. For more information you can call the Lakes Region Conservation at 603- 279-3246 or visit their website at www.lrct.org.
Squam Mountains
The Squam mountain range located in Holderness offers several trails that are maintained by the Squam Lakes Association. Call 603-968-7336 for trail and guide information or visit www.squamlakes.org.
