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Kearsarge North, North Conway NH

• 5-star hikes
• 6 to 9 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 2,560 to 2,810 feet
• North Conway, NH | White Mountains
. NHFT 52WAV

A fire lookout tower stands atop a rocky hill, supported by wooden stilts. The structure features a white picket fence encircling its observation deck, offering a vantage point above the surrounding evergreen trees. The sky overhead is partly cloudy, casting soft light on the rugged terrain below. Rolling hills stretch into the distance, enhancing the sense of elevation.

This 1951 fire lookout tower operated until 1968.

Pine needles soften the first steps of our ascent up the Kearsarge North Trail to one of New Hampshire’s finest fire lookout tower peaks. The trail begins gently from Hurricane Mountain Road, but its character soon shifts as rocks and roots become more prominent, shaping the moderate climb ahead.

After around 1.7 miles of trail the forest canopy begins to thin, revealing granite slabs that offer glimpses southward through the trees. These fleeting views hint at the sweeping panoramas that await at the summit, where the landscape opens completely. The final approach grows noticeably rockier, though the terrain never requires scrambling. At 3,269 feet, the summit delivers commanding views across the White Mountains in all directions.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 4★ Kearsarge North Trail 5.8 mi out & back, moderate, gain 2,560 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?

⬤ 5★ Two Peaks Route 7.9 mi loop, moderate, gain 2,810 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions

⬤ Weeks Brook Trail (Y) 9.3 mi out & back, gain 2,730 ft
GPX File · AllTrails Public · Directions

P Free parking Y Yet to review

A fire lookout tower has operated on Kearsarge North since 1909, though the current squat structure was built in 1951 and continues to be preserved after it fell out of operation in 1968. Larger than most New Hampshire fire towers and sporting an outdoor balcony where you can find the best views, this building is well maintained and hikers are free to make use of it for overnight stays.

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.

Consider extending your hike to the neighboring peak of Bartlett Mountain, where you'll find much more solitude and even more views. An out-and-back trek from the unmarked Kearsarge North Trail junction is 1.3 miles and 230 feet of elevation. Alternatively you can return down the pretty Bartlett Mountain Trail on a looping route we've shown on our map as the 'Two Peaks Route'. Marginally steeper than the main trail, we found Bartlett Mountain Trail to be prettier and more verdant, with additional great distant viewpoints.

A hiker wearing a yellow jacket and carrying a backpack ascends a rugged forest trail. The path is strewn with rocks and lined by trees whose exposed roots twist along the ground. The dense woodland surrounds the scene with rich greenery, creating a secluded and adventurous atmosphere. The natural terrain suggests a challenging but rewarding hike, emphasizing the rugged beauty of the wilderness.

Hiking up the moderate Kearsarge North Trail.

Parking at the Hurricane Mountain Road trailhead accommodates about ten vehicles, making early arrival or afternoon timing advisable to secure a space. Please park closely to other visitors to maximize opportunities for the most number of vehicles.

We have not yet hiked the Weeks Brook Trail that works its way up the eastern flanks of Kearsarge North, but thanks to Open Street Map data we're able to include it here. We'll update our review once we've found the time to hike this alternate route.

Kearsarge North is featured as part of the New Hampshire 52 With A View hiking list, which showcases peaks with some the best scenic views in the state. The link at the foot of this article takes you to Trailspotting's map of the peaks on the full list and shows all of the trails on which to reach them. Follow us as we explore all the peaks on this list and publish trail reviews featuring descriptions, photography and downloadable maps.

A weathered wooden window frame with rusted metal accents overlooks a lush forest of evergreen trees. A white picket fence encircles the structure, suggesting a rustic lookout or cabin. Beyond the fence, rolling mountains stretch beneath a partly cloudy sky, creating a serene and elevated perspective.

Looking North to Mt Washington & Carter Notch.

A hiker wearing a yellow long-sleeve shirt, dark pants, and hiking boots walks along a narrow forest trail, carrying a backpack. The ground is layered with fallen leaves and scattered branches, adding texture to the rugged path. Dense trees with rich green foliage surround the scene, forming a natural canopy overhead. To the hiker’s left, a fallen tree lies partially across the forest floor, its weathered trunk blending into the earthy surroundings

Heading to Mt Bartlett on a quiet, verdant saddle trail.

A panoramic view showcases a lush green valley surrounded by forested mountains. In the foreground, a rocky outcrop dotted with pine trees frames the scene, providing depth and contrast to the expansive landscape. The valley below reveals dense woodlands interspersed with open fields and small clusters of distant buildings, emphasizing the scale of the terrain. Above, the sky is partly cloudy, with patches of blue breaking through, casting soft, diffused light over the land.

South towards Cathedral Ledge from Bartlett Mountain Trail.

Tangents:
• AllTrails Public: Kearsarge North Trail
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

Trailspotting Nearby
5★ Mount Washington (8-9 mi) · 4★ Crystal Cascade (1 mi) · 4★ Whiteface & Passaconaway Mts (9-11 mi) · Show Map

New Hampshire Fire Towers
Discover our map of fire towers and the trails to find them.

NH 52 With A View
Explore the best views in the White Mountains.