Lincoln Trail

The Lincoln Trail begins at Kearsarge Valley Road, south of the Country Club of NH golf course. The trail is 4.5 miles one way, and hikers will find a steady uphill as they move towards the Rollins Picnic Area, traversing the slopes of Black Mountain on the way. Along the way you pass through pine and then on to an old gravel forestry road. The trail, in time, dives back into the woods and at about 1.5 miles in, comes to a clearcut from the early 2010's. At this point, a side trail runs out to Baker Ledge for a nice view of Sutton, New London, and Mt. Sunapee. Continuing on, the trail ascends mostly mildly and on an eastward slant. The occasional odd rock formation or tree stand keeps the trail from getting to dull. At the 4-mile mark, you come out in the Rollins State Park Parking Lot. Great views are afforded from here of Mt Monadnock and Southern NH, but don't drink your fill here as much better views await. From the picnic area, the remaining 0.4 miles will climb a steep section, before continuing on mildly to the summit of Mt. Kearsarge. On top, enjoy the views and the firetower. A clear day affords views of Mass, VT, all of Southern NH and the famed White Mountains of NH. The trail is blazed with white trapezoids of the Sunapee, Ragged, and Kearsarge Greenways.