Pack & North Pack Monadnock, NH
• 3 & 4-star hikes
• 2.7 to 7.7 mile options
• Medium difficulty • Gain 810 to 1360 ft
• Greenfield & Peterborough, NH • Monadnock Region
• Driving Directions: T&C, North, South
Vistas of Pack Monadnock from near the peak of North Pack.
Trailspotting's NH Summits
Bagging peaks, or just looking for the best views? Trailspotting has a growing list of summit hikes.
Bagging peaks, or just looking for the best views? Trailspotting has a growing list of summit hikes.
Often overshadowed by its big brother Mount Monadnock, the neighboring peaks of North Pack and Pack Monadnock shouldn't be overlooked. These mountains also offer great hiking and panoramic vistas, but from a much less hectic vantage point. Whereas Mount Monadnock is known for its popularity and weekend crowds on the summit can be something of a zoo, you'll hardly meet anyone on North Pack Monadnock and you may even have the whole mountain to yourself.
Though the words pack monadnock originates with the indigenous Abenaki people to denote "little mountain", at 2,290 and 2,278 feet Pack Monadnock and North Pack Manadnock are actually the tallest and most prominent peaks of the twenty mile long Wapack mountain range.
Pack Monadnock is most easily accessible from Miller State Park, features a fire tower and an overlook with northerly vistas. Around two miles away North Pack's summit is shrouded in light greenery, a short walk on the nearby Cliff Trail offers the best of the viewpoints. Our favourite route up North Pack is up Ted's Trail which includes lots of creekside trail, a waterfall and more great views.
Ted&Carolyn,
Wapack N
Wapack S, 
Marion Loop. North Pack Ted & Carolyn Loop 4★5.6 mi, Loop, Medium, Gain 1360 ft
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails
Our favourite hike in the this article, we recommend a clockwise route up Ted's Trail and a return down the shorter and more moderate Carolyn's Trail. Creeks feature heavily on Ted's route, including two trail bridges and some waterside walking before reaching and crossing Bonner Falls. The path continues to climb steadily up the mountain, offering several lookout spots on the way.
When you reach the junction with Cliff Trail and before you continue to the top of North Pack, make sure you check out the best vantage point on the mountain. Follow a short spur directly west of the junction that's partly hidden by vegetation, to possibly the best viewpoint on the mountain, created by a rockfall that's flattened all the trees.
There are three to four parking spots carved out of the woods on the side of Mountain Road opposite the trailhead.
Crossing in front of Bonner Falls on the well crafted Ted's Trail.
North Pack via Wapack North 3★3.0 mi, Out & Back, Medium, Gain 950 ft
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails
The 21.5 mile Wapack Trail begins here and heads south as far as Massachusetts, but assuming you're heading for North Pack then you've picked the shortest route up the mountain. Beginning in mixed forest, the trail soon ascends into evergreen and bare granite rock territory. There are no viewpoints along this trail nor at the summit of the mountain, but budget an additional 1 mile & 150ft gain round trip to the Cliff Trail vista for the best views on the mountain.
Confusingly the Wapack Trail has two northern trailheads within a short distance of each other. We'd advise the western one which includes a large parking lot.
Tall pine on Ted's Trail. | No views from North Pack unless you're 9ft tall.
Pack & North Pack via Wapack South 4★7.7 mi, Part-Loop, Medium, Gain 2165 ft
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails
Beginning in Miller State Park with it's very large parking lot and small entrance fee, this is a good trail for adventurers who like to track their summit hikes as it includes the two tallest peaks on the Wapack Trail, and includes the cliff trail viewpoint.
Marion & Wapack Loop 3★2.7 mi, Loop, Medium, Gain 810 ft
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails
The most popular route in Miller State Park takes you to the summit of Pack Monadnock where you'll find a fire tower and a sweeping northerly vista. The views here are particularly treasured by birders for the fall hawk migration, where several thousand birds of prey and vultures can be seen during September and October. The summit can also be reached by vehicles, and the road to the summit is also a popular walking route for those who prefer a few less rocks underfoot.
Creek crossing on Ted's Trail.
Fire tower on Pack Monadnock.
Rocks and roots on the Wapack Trail in Miller State Park.
Tangents:
• Trail Links: Friends of the Wapack, Miller State Park
, Public Map at AllTrails: T&C, Wapack N, Wapack S, Marion Loop
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article
Nearby Trails:
• 4 miles away: Peterborough Rail Trail 5★ (9 miles)
• 12 miles away: Mount Monadnock 5★ (4-8 mi hikes)
• Show on map: All nearby trails
Trailspotting's NH Fire Towers
Discover our map of NH fire towers and the trails on which to find them.
Discover our map of NH fire towers and the trails on which to find them.
Friends of the Wapack
Help this local non-profit protect and maintain the Wapack Trail.
Help this local non-profit protect and maintain the Wapack Trail.
New Hampshire State Parks
Support your New Hampshire State Parks, a self-funded organization managing trails like these without NH tax dollars.
Support your New Hampshire State Parks, a self-funded organization managing trails like these without NH tax dollars.
