Peaked Hill Pond

Length: 3.4 miles out-and-back

Difficulty (click for info): Beginner

Elevation Gain: 450 feet (+90 feet on return)

Rating (click for info): 6/10

Elevation: 1202'

Driving Directions:
From the end of exit 29 off I-93, drive north on Rt. 3 for 2.2 miles and take a left (west) onto Peaked Hill Pond Road. Drive 0.4 miles and cross under the highway. Bear right onto a rougher gravel drive and continue 0.2 miles to the dead end at the gate. Click here for a Google map.

About the Hike:
The Peaked Hill Pond Trail is out by itself in the southwestern region of the White Mountains, disconnected from the major trail network. It provides access to Peaked Hill Pond, a quiet waterbody up on a shelf in the terrain below Peaked Hill, which is an extension of the long Mt. Kineo ridgeline. The trail ends at a nice shoreline sitting spot with a view of the triangular peak of the eponymous hill. Some make use of the pond for a secluded paddling locale, or just a nice escape from the crowds. Despite starting almost directly on the side of the highway, the trail takes you out to an area that is quite peaceful.

Walk past the gate onto the continuation of the road you drove in. The trail follows this forest road for the entirety of the way to the pond. Walk gently uphill through the wide corridor across the hillside for 0.6 miles to reach a fork. Stay right at this junction, as the left fork is for access to a snowmobile trail. The path approaches Bagley Brook, down in the ravine to the right. Depending on the season, you may be able to see a series of cascades down at the bottom. In 0.1 miles, the path from the snowmobile trail merges back with the main trail. The trail now pulls back away from the brook and wraps around the minor hill on the east side of the pond, rising still at a very gentle grade. After 0.8 miles, the trail crosses through a long, grassy opening and arrives at the east shore of the pond in another 0.2 miles. The rocky spot at the trail's end provides a nice clear view out over the water. Peaked Hill rises prominently behind the opposite shore of the pond. Off to the right, you can wander around and explore the boggy outlet of the pond, which drains down into Bagley Brook.

Printable directions page