Craney Hill & Pats Peak, Henniker NH

• 3 & 4-star hikes
• 1 to 3 mile options
• Easy | Gain 210 to 850 feet
• Henniker, NH | Merrimack Region
. NH Fire Towers

The image shows a tall, wooden fire lookout tower with a small cabin at the top, situated among trees with autumn-colored leaves under a clear blue sky.

The fire tower structure is open just one weekend in the fall.

Located between the towns of Henniker and Weare, a fire tower has perched atop Craney Hill since 1912, though today the area is known mostly as the Pats Peak ski resort. The tower was operated until 1981 when it was closed by the state, and Henniker agreed to take on the responsibility of preservation. Unfortunately for the town, preservation means closing off access to the tower, though they do open it one weekend a year in October.

The fire tower can be accessed on a half-mile walk up the Lester Lane service road from Craney Hill Road. Since no views are available from the forested summit, and since locks and barbed wire prevent the public from getting views from the fire tower structure there are no views to enjoy from here. Thankfully however, a brief walk north beyond the tower will lead sight-seekers to the top of the Blizzard ski-lift where some modest easterly views are available.

Craney Hill fire tower is one of over twenty standing fire towers in New Hampshire, all of which are mapped and linked on our Trailspotting Fire Tower List. See the link at the bottom of the page for more details, and information about the New Hampshire Fire Tower Quest Patch that can be earned.

3★ Lester Lane to Fire Tower 0.8 mi out & back, easy, gain 210 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

4★ Pats Peak & Craney Hill 3.2 mi out & back, moderate, gain 850 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

If you're looking for better and more distant views, an alternative approach from the Pat's Peak ski resort becomes increasingly rewarding as you ascend the northern flanks of the Craney Hill. This easy hiking route follows service roads to the summit and you'll be following chairlifts and snow-making infrastructure all the way up. A moderate one mile climb of 680 feet will take you to the top of Pats Peak, a wide rounded summit furnished with huts and chairlift dispatches. You’ll find most of the best views up here.

Continue South, finding another service road which will lead you to the top of the Blizzard Chairlift just below the summit of Craney Hill. From here you’ll spot a narrow trail through the trees that lead you to the peak and to the preserved fire tower.

We've listed this trail as easy difficulty, with the caveat that there is 850 feet of elevation gain. Also note that this trail is not available when Pats Peak is operational, during which time there are free snowshoe trails and an alternative uphill route available requiring a paid pass from the resort.

The image shows a ski lift with several empty chairs suspended on a cable, ascending and descending a mountainous area. The ski lift structure is predominantly metallic, with chairs colored in white and blue. The surrounding landscape includes coniferous trees and a view of distant mountains under a clear blue sky.

Views on the Pats Peak Trail.

The image shows a scenic view of a forest with autumn foliage from the perspective of a window. The window is part of a wooden structure, possibly a cabin or lookout point, on the left side of the frame. The glass reflects some of the trees and sky. Beyond the window, there is an expansive view of dense trees with leaves in various shades of orange, yellow, and green, indicating it is fall season. In the distance, there are rolling hills or low mountains under a clear blue sky.

A rare view from the fire tower cabin.

The image shows a scenic view of a hill covered with trees exhibiting autumn foliage in shades of green, orange, and yellow. At the top of the hill, there are several communication towers. In the foreground, there are buildings with dark brown triangular roofs that suggest a residential or resort area. The sky is clear with few clouds, indicating fair weather.

Looking up at Pats Peak from the lodge.

Tangents:
• Trail Links: Public Map at AllTrails
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article

Trailspotting Nearby
4★ Fox Forest (3-6 mi) · 3★ Proctor Hill (3 mi) · 3★ Henniker & Hopkinton Rail Trails (6 mi) · Show Map

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