South Mt, Pawtuckaway State Park NH

• 4-star hikes
• 2 to 6 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 440 to 940 feet
• Nottingham, NH | Merrimack Region
.   NH Fire Towers  

South Mountain Fire Tower

Though the curiously circular-shaped Pawtuckaway State Park looks an awful lot like a meteor crater, it is in fact a ring dike, the result of a column of hot magma rising from the Earth that has been eroded to reveal its perimeter and structure over millions of years of erosion. This hike climbs up the southern perimeter of the dike to its second highest peak where we get to admire the views from the fire tower anchored to the summit.

We've mapped out the two most popular ways to reach Pawtuckaway's South Mountain, the shortest of which will have you climbing the fire tower in under a mile,. The longer route along Mountain Trail follows a mostly flat 2 mile journey from the park's southern entrance and visitor center.
Expand ↓ Map

4★ South Mountain Loop 1.7 mi loop, moderate, gain 440 ft AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

4★ Mountain Trail & South Mt Loop 6.0 mi part-loop, moderate, gain 940 ft AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

Note that during off-season Pawtuckaway State Park is still available to visit but gates are closed and trailhead access is reduced. During this period you can find roadside parking at the intersection of Reservation Road and Tower Road. Off-season is described on the park's official website which we've linked at the bottom of the page.

South Mountain Loop
Regardless of the direction you take to complete this short loop of South Mountain the gradient of the necessary moderate hill-climb is much the same. We do prefer a counter-clockwise route when beginning at Tower Road, taking the quickest route to the top via the wide viewpoint area before reaching the fire tower on the summit. Enjoy the views up there, because you'll be in the trees all the way back, though the journey is a pleasant downhill romp.


Classic New Hampshire skyline as viewed from the fire tower.

Parking at the Tower Road trailhead will fit only two vehicles but there should be more parking opportunities in either direction. Further north there's Tower Road lot, or the other way there's roadside parking along Reservation Road. Please obey posted signs of course, as parking rules may have changed.

Mountain Trail & South Mt Loop
The mostly flat route along Mountain Trail from the south end of Pawtuckaway State Park is fairly easy going, with one stream crossing and welcome rock and root free sections that are sometimes even soft and carpeted with pine needles. Lush green mosses and ferns color your route as you remain in woodland throughout. Watch for the massive glacial erratic boulders along your journey.

There is no parking at the south end of Mountain Trail, so you'll need to leave your vehicles at the visitor center - a right-turn just before the ranger kiosk. Unfortunately you'll need to pound pavement to Mountain Trail, but at least it's only a third of a mile.


Typical conditions on the Loop Trail and Mountain Trails.

Tangents:
• NH State Parks: Pawtuckaway
• Public Map at AllTrails: South Mt Lookout Tower Trail
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article

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4★ North Mt Pawtuckaway (5 mi) · 3★ Parker Mountain (2-3 mi) · 4★ Portsmouth Branch Rail Trail (28 mi) · Show Map

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