Mount Cardigan West Ridge Trail

Trails New Hampshire Mount Cardigan West Ridge Trail

New Hampshire · grafton County

Mount Cardigan West Ridge Trail

Steep climb to exposed granite summit and fire-tower area.

Rating

Length

3.6 mi

Difficulty

6

County

grafton

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South Kinsman Trail

Steep route to South Kinsman ledges above Franconia Notch region.

Time not available

Rattlesnake Mountain Trail NH

Short climb to open ledges above Squam Lake.

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Mount Kearsarge Winslow Trail

Steady ascent to fire tower and summit vistas.

Time not available

About This Trail

The most direct 1.5-mile route to Mount Cardigan’s 3,121-foot treeless granite summit, where a fire tower offers 360-degree views spanning from Mount Monadnock to the White Mountains to Camel’s Hump in Vermont. The trail breaks above tree line for an exhilarating final push across open rock.

Location

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Coordinates: 43.6497949, -71.9148048

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Getting There

From Canaan, take NH-118 east then turn right onto Cardigan Mountain Road. Follow it to the end at the parking lot in Cardigan Mountain State Park. The West Ridge Trail begins from the trailhead here.

Nearby Trails

South Kinsman Trail

Steep route to South Kinsman ledges above Franconia Notch region.

Rattlesnake Mountain Trail NH

Short climb to open ledges above Squam Lake.

Mount Kearsarge Winslow Trail

Steady ascent to fire tower and summit vistas.

Mount Moosilauke via Gorge Brook Trail

Popular ascent to a broad, exposed summit with sweeping views.

Mount Moosilauke via Beaver Brook Trail

Steep ladder-and-scramble route to Moosilauke summit terrain.

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