Fox Forest Tower

Length: 1.0 mile out-and-back

Difficulty (click for info): Beginner

Elevation Gain: 210 feet (+50 feet on return)

Rating (click for info): 2/10

Elevation: 1110'

Driving Directions:
Trailhead is on Center Road in Hillsborough, NH. From the stoplight on Rt. 149 in the center of Hillsborough, drive north on Center Road for 2.8 miles, passing by the Fox Forest Headquarters. Park at the entrace to a grassy woods road on the right, just beyond the edge of a large field. Click here for a Google map.

About the Hike:
This short hike leads to a small observation tower in the northern section of Fox State Research Forest. The historic tower was originally built in 1934 and was used to watch over the forest. It was also speculated to have been a backup fire lookout. The current tower that stands today may or may not be built around the original tower. It is located on the side of Monroe Hill and offers a very limited view over a cleared area. It's worth the trip if you are interested in fire towers or are spending the day at Fox Forest. For more fun short hikes at Fox, see Fox Forest Swamps and Mud Pond Bog.

From the trailhead, follow the overgrown, grassy road ("Molly J Road") for 0.1 miles. Then turn right onto Ridge Trail, a footpath. The trail runs at a slight downgrade along the bottom of a recent logging cut for another 0.1 miles, then turns uphill and climbs through hardwood forest. The way is steep at times and passes some boulders. In a quarter mile, the trail levels off and reaches the small observation tower. Climb the stairs to look through a tiny opening in the trees into the distance.

Printable directions page