Whiteface Mt, Belknap Range NH


• 3-star hike
• 3 mile out-and-back
• Moderate | Gain 790 feet
• Gilford, NH | Lakes Region
.   Belknap 12   A person stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking a vast, layered landscape of forested hills and distant blue-gray mountains beneath a partly cloudy sky. They wear casual hiking attire, with a red sweatshirt tied around their waist, and face away from the camera, gazing toward the horizon. In the foreground, a simple fire pit made of stones suggests a campsite or rest spot. The terrain is grassy and uneven, dotted with trees and natural vegetation, evoking a sense of solitude and connection with nature.
Viewing Mt Whiteface from here on the smaller Whiteface Mt.

Not to be confused with its 4,000 foot namesake in the nearby Sandwich Range, this more diminutive peak is worthy of a visit for its northerly lake views, and its presence on the Belknap Range 12-peak challenge.

Park up at the large turnout where Belknap Mountain Road's asphalt paving ends, and avoid driving further on the unpaved section where you'll find residences, no parking signs and no way of turning around a vehicle.

The Whiteface Mountain Trail begins on the east side of the road, and leads into forested land owned by the Lakes Region Conservation Trust. Beginning with easy trail conditions, the path widens into an old road after some distance. We've categorized this trail as moderate due to some brief rocky sections that will still be easy to tackle for most hikers.
⬤ 4★ Mt Whiteface Trail   3.3 mi out & back, moderate, gain 790 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?
 P  Free parking

A signposted junction awaits at around the halfway point. Heading right will lead you toward Whiteface's summit, but an out-and-back excursion to Piper Mountain would add 1.3 miles and 520 feet of elevation gain to your day. Piper Mountain is also on the Belknap 12-peak challenge, though we previously summited this on a separate Gunstock-Belknap-Piper looping hike that we link under the 'Trailspotting Nearby' section at the foot of this article.

The mountain's best views can be found just before the summit, looking northwards across Lake Winnipesaukee, past Red Hill and - coincidentally - towards the peak of namesake Mount Whiteface. The summit itself is round, bare and otherwise unremarkable. We investigated the possibility of some southerly viewpoint that potentially peeked out through the trees, but found nothing more.

 MAP PACK  Whiteface Mountain is part of the Belknap Range 12-peak challenge. Our Map Pack is a smartphone download containing trail reviews and route navigation for all twelve Belknap peaks. Map Packs are free for personal use and even work when you're offline.

A solitary figure walks or jogs along a leaf-covered forest trail during autumn, surrounded by trees in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and lingering green. The person wears a red long-sleeve shirt, gray pants, teal running shoes, and a cap, adding a pop of color against the earthy backdrop. The trail is slightly damp, hinting at recent rainfall, and curves gently into the distance, inviting exploration. Fallen leaves blanket the ground, and the soft light filtering through the canopy creates a serene, introspective atmosphere—capturing the quiet beauty of a peaceful moment in nature.
Trail starts easy, but leads towards some moderate rocky sections.

A weathered tree trunk in a dense autumn forest displays three wooden trail signs nailed to its bark. The top sign, pointing left, reads “Whiteface Mt. Trail Only.” Two lower signs point right—one labeled “PIPER” and the other “WHITEFACE.” The forest floor is blanketed with fallen leaves, and tall trees with bare or thinning branches surround the scene, suggesting late fall.
An out-and-back to Piper Mt would add 1.3 miles and 520 ft.

A panoramic view of a mountainous landscape in autumn, featuring a lake nestled among forested hills. In the foreground, dense trees display a mix of green and warm-toned foliage—gold, amber, and rust—signaling the seasonal transition. The lake in the middle ground stretches across the valley, bordered by wooded slopes that rise gently toward the horizon. In the distance, a range of blue-gray mountains forms a rugged backdrop beneath a partly cloudy sky, where soft light filters through patches of cloud, casting subtle highlights on the terrain.
(L-R) Sandwich, Whiteface, Passaconaway & Chocorua Mts.

Tangents:
• External Link: Lakes Region Conservation Trust
• AllTrails Public: Whiteface Mountain


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