Mt. Major Trail

This hike is much more challenging than it seems but it is very popular and if taken at the right pace it's very rewarding. On the weekends during the summer and fall this trail can be especially busy with thousands of people ascending the mountain. The trail begins from the northwest corner of the parking lot along a recently refurbished area of grave trail. Once you get past this section you continue at a moderate incline for approximately the first half mile from the trailhead. However this area is typically very rocky, and eroded due to the traffic the trail sees, watch your step. After this area you travel along a mostly flat wide area of the trail for the next 0.2 miles or so. When you reach the end of this flat section you are about half way along the trail in terms of distance (but the majority of the elevation gain is still ahead of you). Continue to the left following the blue blazes. To the right you can take the Brook Trail (yellow blazes) which is an alternative route up Mount Major. You'll continue with a moderate incline along a trail with plenty of rocks and roots to get around. About 1.05 miles from the trailhead the trail gets steeper and then at 1.25 miles from the trailhead gets steeper yet. You'll climb up several steep and challenging rock faces. The final push to the summit is particularly steep. However as you reach these rock faces you'll be rewarded with partial views of Lake Winnipesaukee which only improve as you get closer to the Summit. Enjoy the 360 degree views from the summit. You should have no problem seeing Lake Winnipesaukee, the rest of the Belknap Range, The Ossipee Range to the North and even Mount Washington behind the Ossipees on a very clear day.