Great Hill Fire Tower, Tamworth NH


• 4-star hike
• 2 mile part-loop
• Easy | Gain 580 feet
• Tamworth, NH | Lakes Region
.   NH Fire Towers    A scenic view from a wooden lookout tower positioned on the right side of the frame. The structure is built of aged, weathered timber with visible grain and knots, evoking a rustic, utilitarian design. A rectangular window opening in the tower offers a clear view of a densely forested valley filled with vibrant green treetops. Beyond the forest, layers of misty blue-gray mountains stretch into the distance, softening as they recede into the horizon.
Looking north to Mts Whiteface & Passaconaway.

Our recommended route to the Great Hill Fire Tower leads hikers from the informal roadside parking on Route 113A, over the sturdy trail bridge that crosses the Swift River and into Hemenway State Forest. Carpeted with soft pine needles, the trail passes through a stand of large White Pine Trees, including a single tree signposted as one of the largest White Pines in New England.

The Betty Steel Loop trail that begins at the main road forks into two directions just after a small creek crossing and starts its looping section. The right-hand fork appears to be the most well traveled, though we found the other direction to be just as nice. At the furthest reaches of the loop trail, pick up the Peg King Spur Trail which takes hikers the remaining distance to the fire tower and the 1,247 foot summit of Great Hill. Expect a brief, slightly steeper section of trail as you approach the peak.
⬤ 4★ Great Hill Fire Tower   2.3 mi part-loop, easy, gain 580 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?
 P  Free parking

The Great Hill Fire Tower serves as the hike's destination and reward. Built in 1934, this 35 foot tall fire lookout tower remained in operation until 1974. Today hikers can climb the steps and enter the cabin to enjoy panoramic views in all directions, including clear sightlines to the prominent peaks of Whiteface, Passaconaway and Chocorua at the north, and the Ossipee Range to the south. In each window a map can be found identifying each peak on the horizon.

This is one of over twenty standing fire towers in New Hampshire, all of which are mapped and linked on our Trailspotting Fire Tower List. See the link at the bottom of the page for more details, and for information about the New Hampshire Fire Tower Quest Patch that can be earned.

A shorter, less frequented route to the summit is also available from Hemenway Road to the west. Though we haven't included it on our map, we have linked to an AllTrails page that describes this alternate route.

A serene forest scene featuring a sturdy wooden footbridge crossing a shallow, rock-strewn stream. The bridge is constructed from timber planks and beams, with rustic railings on either side for safety. It is elevated slightly above the ground and accessed by short sets of wooden steps at both ends. A person wearing a red short-sleeved shirt and dark pants walks away from the camera, mid-bridge, suggesting gentle movement and exploration. The surrounding forest is lush and dense with tall trees whose green foliage filters warm sunlight onto the understory. Soft shadows from leaves dance across the wooden surfaces and forest floor. The stream beneath the bridge flows gently, its clear water revealing smooth stones and boulders scattered throughout the creek bed.
Sturdy trail bridge across the Swift River.

On the left side, a forest trail curves gently through dense woodland. The path is composed of compacted earth and lined with scattered rocks and tree roots. A person in a red short-sleeved shirt and dark pants walks away from the camera along the trail, slightly left of center, adding a sense of motion and scale. They are framed by tall, slender trees with green foliage that forms a canopy overhead, casting dappled light onto the ground. Moss and undergrowth line the edges of the trail, reinforcing the humid, shaded atmosphere typical of mature forest environments. On the right side, a close-up view of a tree trunk reveals a rectangular wooden trail sign attached with screws. The sign reads 'TO LOOP & SPUR TRAILS & TOWER' in black block letters, with a large red arrow beneath the text pointing upward—signaling forward direction along the trail. The bark of the tree is coarse and weathered, contrasting with the clean lines of the sign.
Mostly easy trails. One moderate section near tower.

A tall, freestanding metal fire lookout tower rises from a forest clearing under a clear blue sky. The tower’s frame is constructed from a lattice of steel girders, supporting a wooden platform near the top. Resting on the platform is a small enclosed observation cabin with a sloped roof, built from pale wooden panels that contrast with the dark structural steel beneath. Several antennas and satellite dishes are mounted on the cabin and framework, including a rectangular solar panel affixed to one side—indicating both communication and energy self-sufficiency in this remote environment. The surrounding trees are mostly deciduous, with leafy green canopies visible around the base of the tower, reinforcing the tower’s role as both a vantage point and technology hub within a forested landscape.
Even identical tower designs have a little uniqueness.

A panoramic view unfolds from within the cabin of a fire lookout tower, framed by the wooden window ledge in the foreground. Stretching outward is a vast expanse of forested terrain—rolling hills and distant ridgelines densely covered in green foliage, fading into hazy blue tones as they recede toward the horizon. The sky is clear and bright, casting natural light across the scene and revealing subtle textures in the mountain contours. Anchoring the bottom of the frame is an interpretive information board mounted just outside the window. Though the text is too small to read clearly, it includes labels and directional lines pointing to various peaks and landmarks visible in the distance, offering educational context for the expansive view.
Southerly views from the fire tower.

A surreal, hand-painted scene rendered on weathered gray wood, featuring several floating islands suspended in a dark sky. Each island is topped with whimsical mushrooms—some large and red-capped, others slender and pale—evoking a dreamlike, fantastical atmosphere. Puffy white clouds drift among the islands, their soft contours casting gentle shadows. Above them, a crescent moon glows yellow, surrounded by scattered yellow stars, reinforcing the celestial theme. The visual elements appear deliberately stylized, with bold outlines and soft shading that lend a playful, illustrative quality.
Unsolicited lookout cabin artwork.

Tangents:
• Historic Lookout Register: Great Hill Fire Tower
• AllTrails Public: Big Pine Route, Hemenway Road
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us


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New Hampshire Fire Towers
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