Livermore & Cotton Mts, Squam Lake NH

• 3-star hike
• 2 to 4 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 580 to 1,340 feet
• Holderness, NH | Lakes Region

The image shows a scenic landscape from a high vantage point. On the left, there’s a large tree with a slightly curved trunk. The background features a vast lake with multiple inlets, surrounded by forested areas. In the distance, rolling hills or low mountains are visible under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds.

View from the summit of Mount Livermore.

Close to the town of Holderness on the Westernmost shores of Squam Lake, these woodland trails are the best way to reach Cotton Mountain and its taller neighbor Mount Livermore. Typical of the region these narrow trails make for moderate hiking, with rocks and roots underfoot - particularly as you climb closer to the peaks.

The Cotton Mountain trail leads to a sign at the top indicating an elevation of 1,200 feet and a few more steps will bring you to a vantage point with views of the lake through gaps in the trees. The trail doesn't reach the highest point of the mountain however - for that you'd be looking at around a half-mile of off-trail bushwhacking each way to the true 1,260 summit, assuming there are no posted signs to prohibit you from doing so, although we haven't tried this.
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3★ Mts Cotton &amo; Livermore Loop 4.3 mi loop, moderate, gain 1340 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

3★ Mts Cotton & Livermore Out & Back 3.8 mi out & back, moderate, gain 1540 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

3★ Mt Cotton Out & Back 1.4 mi out & back, moderate, gain 580 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

Mount Livermore is around three hundred foot higher and offers better views of Squam Lake. The saddle trail between the two mountains is a continuation of rocks and roots, with an occasional minor downward scramble. Livermore is lush with evergreen forest on the Southern flank, carpeting the switchback trail to the summit with pine needles. As well as great views, close to the peak we also found a couple of century-old granite boundary markers etched with the initials of their former owners.

If you're returning from Mount Livermore on a looping route you'll want to follow the Prescott Trail directly East and downhill. The pine needle carpeting continues here, so much of your descent is easy going. Hang a right when your reach the abandoned Old Highway South and follow it back toward your starting point, passing a cemetery on your right along the way. It's been a long time since the old highway saw any wheeled traffic - in places the road is washed out, so there are small informal diversionary bypasses in these areas.

The image shows a forest scene with a dirt path leading through it. Several trees with green leaves are visible, and sunlight filters through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. A tree in the foreground has a yellow diamond-shaped trail marker attached to it.

Carpet of pine needles underfoot on Livermore Mountain.

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Mt Cotton & Mt Livermore Loop 3★
Our favorite route that bags both mountains and returns down Prescott Trail and the old abandoned Old Highway South, passing by the Prescott Cemetery which includes grave markings dating back to 1826. The last part of the return journey requires a brief hike along Route 113.

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Cotton Mountain Out & Back 3★
This is a moderate trail that gets rocky and a little steeper towards the 1,200 foot summit. Limited views at the top. If you're looking for a short hike in this area then we'd only recommend this if you've already hiked Old Bridle Path on Rattlesnake Mountain, which is linked in the 'Trailspotting Nearby' section below.

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Mt Cotton & Mt Livermore Out & Back 3★
The shortest route to bag both summits. Since you'll be retracing your steps on this out & back route, consider the looping trail which is just half a mile longer and does not require you to hike 200 feet back up Cotton Mountain.

We also recommend visiting the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center close by in Holderness. The facility houses and exhibits many native wild animals including mountain lions, bobcats and river otters - most of which are orphaned or injured and are unable to survive without intervention. They also feature public gardens and lake cruises. A link to their website is at the bottom of this article.

The image is a split view with two different scenes. On the left side, there is a snake on the ground amidst pine needles and small rocks. The right side shows two old gravestones in a forested area with dense green foliage in the background. The gravestones are weathered and have inscriptions, but the text is not clearly legible due to the distance and angle of the photograph.

Livermore Mt garter snake. | Cemetery on the abandoned old highway.

Tangents:
• Trailspotting YouTube: Garter Snake
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Cotton, Cotton-Liv O&B, Cotton-Liv Loop
• External Links: Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
• Facebook Group: Follow or comment on this article

Trailspotting Nearby
4★ Rattlesnake Mt (2-4 mi) · 4★ Mts Morgan & Percival (4-5 mi) · 5★ RedHill Fire Tower (3 mi) · Show Map

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