Hedgehog Mountain

This 4.7 mile loop provides great views from many viewpoints: the ledges of Hedgehog Mountain, the summit, as well as from Allen's Ledge. The parking lot for the trailhead is at the Downes Brook Trail parking lot off of the Kancamagus Highway near the Passaconaway Campground.This loop follows the UNH trail, named after the University of New Hampshire Forestry Camp that used to be located near this area. The trail leaves the parking lot following an old railroad grade for the first 0.2 miles before turning right and ascending easy grades until reading the loop junction at 0.8 miles. The loop can be done in either direction but is described here in clockwise direction. Following the loop left, the trail descends gradually and begins to follow an old logging road as it starts to climb moderately. At 1.4 miles the trail crosses White Brook, and continues to climb over boulders and via switchbacks. After passing a overlook toward the northeast, the trail turns right and continues climbing towards the open rock faces of the east ledges. Here there are great views south and east, including Mount Passaconaway. The trail then continues in the woods as it makes its way toward the west slope of the Hedgehog Mountain peak. There are a few short switchbacks with ledges before the trail reaches the summit at 2.9 miles which provides more views. The trail then turns left, passes another outlook near the summit, and then descends easily at first through an open area of the trail providing views north. The descent then becomes more steep. At 3.7 miles, there is a short spur trail to Allen's Ledge which provides more great views. The main trail continues its descent reaching the loop junction at 3.9 miles, retracing the beginning of the trial to the parking lot.