North Uncanoonuc Mt, Goffstown NH
• 3-star hike
• 1.2 to 2.6 mile loop options
• Medium difficulty | Gain 440 to 774 feet
• Goffstown, NH | Merrimack Region
• Driving directions: White-Orange, Red-West, Orange-Class 6
North Uncanoonuc in the center, above Goffstown.
The two rounded peaks of Uncanoonuc Mountains stand out above the Goffstown landscape, virtually equal in height and around 700 feet in prominence. It's no wonder that Wikipedia states that the name of the mountains may be derived from a Native American word for breasts. Hmm, I wonder what the Indian word is for onomatopoeia?
South Uncanoonuc Mountain is currently dominated by a cluster of tall communications towers, and also historically home to a hotel, a skiing destination and an incline railway; all now gone.
At 1,324 feet in elevation North Uncanoonuc is officially three feet taller than its neighbor, and it managed to remain free of development. In the 1960s however, the mountain narrowly avoided being turned into a ski area. Some of today's trails on North Uncanoonuc are a legacy of the forest clearing performed during the abandoned development of the ski area.
White-Orange,
Red-West, 
Orange-Class6, 
Perimeter.We've labelled several short looping trails and a 2.6 mile perimeter trail, all of which include the mountain summit. Views from the mostly wooded summit include the city of Manchester to the East. Our favorite of the trails is the White Dot which involves a moderate ascent through a forest of pine and maple to reach the summit. This trail involves the most rocks and roots, with other trails on the mountain being more easy to traverse.
White Dot & Orange Dot 3★1.2 mi, Loop, Medium, Gain 710ft
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails
Red Dot West Loop 3★1.6 mi, Loop, Medium, Gain 440ft
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails
Orange Dot Class 6 Road 3★1.9 mi, Loop, Medium, Gain 690ft
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails
Perimeter Loop 3★2.6 miles, Loop, Medium, Gain 774ft
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails
Of the three trailheads located on Mountain Road, the middle one (Class 6) provides the most parking opportunities. The furthest North (White Dot) has two to three parking spots in a dedicated lay-by and the furthest South (Red Dot) has occasional roadside parking.
Hiking up the partly icy Orange Trail.
Three feet taller than South Uncanoonuc Mountain!
Tangents:
• Trail Links: Official (PDF), Public Maps at AllTrails
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article
Nearby Trails:
• 0 miles: South Uncanoonuc (3★, 3 mi)
• 6 miles: Kuncanowet Town Forest (3★, 2-6 mi)
• Show on map: All nearby trails
