Mts Flagg & Sentinel, Tuftonboro NH


• 4-star hikes
• 4 to 6 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 1,510 to 1,960 feet
• Tuftonboro, NH | Lakes Region
.   Ossipee 10  
A hiker stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking a sprawling forested valley, with distant blue mountains and glimmering bodies of water beneath a clear sky dotted with clouds. The hiker wears a red shirt, dark pants, a cap, and a backpack, conveying a sense of exploration and solitude in nature.
Enjoying the views from the ledges below Mt Flagg's summit.

Though the trails to Mount Flagg and Sentinel Mountain are on publicly accessible private lands, they are not closed, as suggested by AllTrails. The trail route begins off a public Class 6 road that runs through a summer camp named Merrowvista, which is where we could find the only available nearby parking.

 ⚠  Camp Merrowvista is both tolerant of and welcoming to hikers parking on their property, but they prefer that hikers visit outside of the summer vacation period. They request that you call in advance if you would like to hike during the summer season, and you can find a link to their website at the foot of this page. Located in the lobby of their main building, the camp also has a hikers log for signing in and out. Since hikers need to use their parking lot, it would be respectful to follow these guidelines.
⬤ 4★ Mt Flagg & Sentinel Mt   5.7 mi part-loop, moderate, gain 1,960 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?
⬤ 4★ Mt Flagg   3.8 mi out & back, moderate, gain 1,510 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions
 P  Free parking
 ⏷  Trailspotting Map Pack:  Ossipee 10 Challenge Peaks

If you would like to hike these peaks while avoiding the camp altogether:

• Mount Flagg can be reached from the summit of Mount Shaw, on the upper section of the Gorilla Trail. The out-and-back trip between these two summits is 2.8 miles and 880 feet of elevation gain. There's a link to our separate Mt. Shaw trail review in the 'Trailspotting Nearby' section below.

• Sentinel Mountain can be accessed from the east via Sentinel Mountain Trail - see the AllTrails Public link at the foot of this page. This route is 1.8 miles out-and-back with 740 feet of elevation gain. We have not explored this trail, but reports suggest it can be overgrown.

The trails to Mount Flagg and Sentinel Mountain are less traveled than many others in the Ossipee Range, but we were drawn to these mountains specifically to complete the Ossipee 10 challenge, which requires visiting ten prominent peaks in this ring-dike mountain range.

Split-screen forest image. Left side: A hiker in a red shirt crosses a small wooden bridge over a rocky stream in a densely wooded area with tall trees and green foliage. Right side: A large rock topped with a small cairn, surrounded by bushes and trees under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Only one creek crossing | Mt Flagg's summit.

The out-and-back Gorilla Trail that leads to Mount Flagg and beyond to Mount Shaw, is mostly well-defined. Expect a moderately easy trail with a gentle climb, but be ready for some minor rocky scrambles as you approach Mount Flagg's summit. Be sure to enjoy the views from Mount Flagg's ledges, as the tree-covered summit itself offers only partial views - though in a variety of directions. The clear weather on our recent visit gave us an excellent northerly sightline that aligns the pointed summit of Mount Chocoura with the massive summit of Mount Washington beyond.

We began our hike with a summit of Mount Flagg, and on our return we branched east at the log hut shelter onto the Canaan Mountain Trail in the direction of Sentinel Mountain. Wayfinding on this east-west trail can be difficult at times, but this wasn't a big deal thanks to trees painted red blazes, and occasional checks on our GPS-positioned map.

Sentinel Mountain has some great views from its granite-topped ledges, including a wide vista across Dan Hole Pond, and easterly views that you won't find from the other mountains in the Ossipee Range. A second log hut shelter marks the junction with the Dave Green Trail, which provides a white-blazed descent back towards the Gorilla Trail and a return to the trailhead.

A sweeping view of mountainous terrain featuring layers of forested ridges under a partly cloudy sky. In the foreground, pine or fir branches gently frame the scene, adding natural texture and depth. The mountain ranges in the background vary in elevation and distance, creating a sense of scale and serenity.
Mounts Chocoura & Washington peaks align from Flagg's summit.

Rustic log shelter with a green metal roof set in a dense forest. In front of the shelter is a circular fire pit made of stones, filled with ashes and charred wood. The ground is covered in dirt and fallen leaves, and the scene is surrounded by tall trees and thick greenery, suggesting a secluded campsite.
Log shelters mark the two upper trail junctions.


More great views from Sentinel Mountain.

Tangents:
• External Links: Camp Merrowvista
• AllTrails Public: Mt Flagg, Mt Shaw via Gorilla, Sentinel Mt Trail
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us


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