Pitcher Hill

Length: 1.3 miles out-and-back

Difficulty (click for info): Beginner

Elevation Gain: 280 feet (+10 feet on return)

Rating (click for info): 4/10

Elevation: 1627'

Prominence: 276'

Driving Directions:
Trailhead is on Stryker Road in Springfield, NH. Frome exit 12A off I-89, drive 0.7 miles northeast on Georges Mill Road. Turn left onto Stryker Road, drive 0.4 miles up, and park on the left, just before a gate with a sign indicating "private drive". Click here for a Google map.

About the Hike:
Pitcher Hill is just a small hill among many north of Lake Sunapee with the advantage of a locally-maintained hiking trail. It doesn't rise very high above the landscape, but some sparse openings and ledges offer up views across the surrounding lakes to some distinctive far-away mountains. While the views aren't expansive, you'll be able to revel in the solitude in the cheery, lush forest where greenery spreads across the ledges. Walk 300 feet up the hill past the gate, and you will find a more welcoming sign pointing the way to the Pitcher Hill Trail on the left. For the first 0.15 miles, the trail contours around the base of the hill through a dense field of ferns in the woods, which may overspread the path. In the next 0.1 miles, it climbs moderately to a grassy ledge with a window in the trees where you can see Mt. Sunapee over Otter Pond and Lake Sunapee. Then, it climbs easily to the summit ledges in the next 0.25 miles. The trail is not well used up here and takes care to follow through tall brush. The broad ledges are carpeted with more luxuriant ferns and offer some minor views. The east side has another view back toward Sunapee, while the west side opens up a framed view of Mt. Ascutney, seen behind the Buffalo-Moose Mountain ridge. If you follow the path just a bit further beyond the end of the open ledge, you will come to an area of sparse trees from past logging where a view opens to the north. The major features visible, from left to right, are Snow Mountain, Prospect Hill, Moose Mountain, Holts Ledge, and Smarts Mountain. The trail stops at this point.

Printable directions page