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Hedgehog Mountain, Deering NH

• 4-star hikes
• 2 to 8 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 400 to 770 feet
• Deering, NH | Merrimack Region
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A landscape view taken from a high point, possibly a hill or mountain. The foreground features rocky terrain with some sparse vegetation and trees. As you move further into the middle ground, you see more trees and a small clearing with a house or building. The background showcases a vast expanse of forested land and rolling hills under a clear blue sky with a few wispy clouds and contrails.

One of several viewpoints from the ridgeline.

The trails of Hedgehog Mountain Forest in the New Hampshire town of Deering offer great hiking and highly scenic views and it’s a surprise they are so rarely visited. You can correct this by checking out one of three routes on this ridgeline destination.

These trails are pleasingly easy to traverse, with few rocks and roots to trip you up. There is one very short rock scramble along the ridgeline but it’s not likely to pose an obstacle for most. We categorize these trails as being on the easy side of moderate difficulty. Conditions appear mostly dry, with the notable exception of the bottom of Woods Road on the return part of the Loop Trail, which was waterlogged for us in December. We were able to negotiate around it fairly easily however.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 4★ Loop Trail 3.9 mi loop, moderate, gain 650 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions* GPX?

⬤ 3★ Summit Out & Back 1.6 mi out & back, moderate, gain 400 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions*

⬤ 4★ Ridge Trail Out & Back 8.1 mi out & back, moderate, gain 770 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions**

$ *Donation parking P **Free parking

If you'd prefer an even shorter walk to the best views, we recommend the short and moderately gentle hill walk north from the Ridge Trail trailhead. This brief hike leads to the most spectacular outlook on the ridgeline, from a hilltop clearing that looks westerly over a scenic rural landscape with distant mountains.

The Loop and Summit trails begin at a Forest Society maintained trailhead and parking area, which has room for several vehicles. The Forest Society request a donation that can be paid any time using digital methods. The Ridge Trail doesn't have a parking lot but there are several free roadside parking opportunities on Skye Farm Road.

The image shows a forest scene with sunlight filtering through the trees. The forest floor is covered with fallen leaves, moss, and branches. The sunlight creates a bright spot in the center of the image, casting long shadows from the trees. The scene is serene and natural, highlighting the beauty of the forest environment.

Sunlight filtering through the woodland trail on Hedgehog Mountain

⬤ Loop Trail
The best medium-length trail. A short hike to the North end of the Hedgehog range will take you to some excellent views, then follow the ridgeline for more sporadic Southerly views of the Monadnocks and other distant mountains. If you want to bag the highest peak of Hedgehog hill, add a half-mile each way trek further down the Ridge Trail, South of the junction with Woods Road. Short bushwhacking required to reach the unimpressive summit.

⬤ Summit Out & Back
A short hike to some great views at the Northern summit, then back the way you came.

⬤ Ridge Trail Out & Back
Wilson Hill on the High Five Reservation may surprise you with its rotund grassy summit and spectacular views of neighboring Crotched Mountain and distant Monadnock peaks. The trail continues downhill and through light forest before ascending up onto the ridgeline where more views are available

This image captures a person walking along a forest trail, likely in the fall or early winter. The individual is wearing a bright orange vest over a hooded jacket and dark gloves, making them stand out against the muted tones of the forest. The trail is lined with trees and rocks, and there's a sign on the right side of the image that reads 'HEDGEHOG MT. TRAIL' with an arrow pointing straight ahead. The ground is covered in fallen leaves, and the trees are mostly bare, indicating the season.

Wrapped up warm with still plenty to see on an out-of-season NH hike.

Tangents:
• Official: NH Forest Society
• AllTrails Public: Summit, Loop, Ridge
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

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