Always a great hike. This is a moderate++ hike and popular mountain. #1 most hiked in the US. At the ranger station you will have to pay a fee however there are other trails you will not have to however they are more challenging. Amazing views once at the top and always enjoyable read more

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This mountain might be the second most climbed in the world and provides lovely views at the summit. It's located in Jaffrey and Dublin, NH. The summit is bare and rocky; a great place to relax and picnic after that long hike up. It's bare due to early settlers setting fire to it for pasture. It's approximately 400 millions years old and the first recorded hike was in 1725. There are multiple trails but the easiest is the white arrow trail, which is 2.3-miles. There is a parking lot. I've been on this trail a handful of times. It's a great hike and a super fun workout. I'd recommend good hiking shoes, a small backpack with water and snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, hat, and sweater. It does get windy at the summit and sometimes cold depending on the season. There's no water or restrooms so plan accordingly. It's definitely one of my favorite hikes and love going on it. read more

Mount Monadnock - 2008, on the summit of Mount Monadnock, with my future husband. - Campgrounds Near Me

We traveled from Manchester nh about 1.25min and boy am I glad we did We did a loop trail hike was supposed to be 5.3 miles but we took a couple detours and ended up doing 7 The views are stunning Parking for trails are 15.00$ that park entry fee there maybe parking other place but I'm not sure No dogs allowed in park It is a very steep rocky hike which I didn't mind The trails are well marked There is public bathroom only at base Will be back to do other trail routes read more

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IF YOU ARE NEW TO HIKING AND PLAN TO HIKE THIS MOUNTAIN READ THIS. Just because this is a beginner friendly mountain doesn't mean it's not a mountain don't dress like you're going to the beach (no sandals). If you aren't already a semi ok hiker don't do the white dot trail it's the hardest for beginners because it is the shortest and it goes to the peak meaning it's the steepest. This may sound dumb but bring water, as a resident of jaffrey and an avid hiker i can say that i see way too many people being stupid and not bringing water. Also if you are new to hiking take ibuprofen before you start hiking if you are inexperienced on the way down your calfs will hurt. Don't just look at the weather for the day you hike look at the week leading up to that day as well because if it rained the trail will still be wet in parts i see a lot of reviews for this mountain of people(probably city people) not doing this then complaining about nature, see how dumb that sounds? Don't be dumb. Pack what you need you don't need 20 granola bars to hike this mountain whatever you pack adds weight you should have a first aid kit, at least 32oz of water you will be thirsty, some food with protein(trail mix, a sandwich, granola bar) bring like 2-4 small things for while you are going and something more substantial to eat at the peak. If this is your first hike in a while and your isn't that good try pack or north pack monadnock they are similar but smaller, they are close to mount monadnock so you won't be going too far out of your way. I hope this was helpful have fun. read more

This is the perfect beginner mountain. It has a nice elevation gain without being a killer. A fantastic prep for the white mountains further up in the state. The beat way to go is to take the white dot tail up, a trail I always call the stair-stepper, then take the white cross down because it's less steep and you're less likely to slip. Overall a great family hike too. It starts off steady and then quickly turns into about 0.5 miles of mostly steep evevation gain. Then there's a plateau and a minor climb to the top on barren rock. From the top you can see to Mt Wachusett in Central mass and all the way to Boston on a clear day. Watch out for the leafer crowds though because it is an easy hike and is very accessible. It can get crowded. During Covid you have to reserve parking ahead of time to hike here. read more

Mount Monadnock - Campgrounds Near Me

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When we visit Stone Pond in Marlborough, as we have done yearly since the 1980's, the hike to the top of Mt. Monadnock is one must-do. Usually we hike the Dublin Trail, but this year most of us headed up the Marlborough Trail (although our son went to the state park and hiked up the White Dot, then down with us). As I get older, the hike is harder, but the view from the top is wonderful (it was clear enough for a view of Boston). Many thanks to the state park and to the Society for the Preservation of New Hampshire Forests https://forestsociety.org/ for all that they do to maintain the trails read more

First "mountain" climbed! Whoo! I checked the reviews before setting out with my gym group on a crisp autumn day for the hike, and boy were there wide spectrum assessment for the difficulty level...! Some people said it was easy little hike and others saying it was very challenging. I would recommend just checking either Wikipedia or the park website itself for more objective assessments, which ranks this as "moderate". It's definitely not the most challenging, but I would hesitate to recommend this to beginners due to the steep, rocky and slippery features of the most popular paths especially near the actual summit. Hiking boots are helpful and don't make the same mistake as me for drinking all your water on the ascent. Some generous fellow hikers gave us an unopened water bottle though, which was very much appreciated. Mt. Monadnock is definitely one of the most popular places to hike, and they can easily get away with charging $5/person with the hundreds of thousands of people that probably visit each year. On the perfect autumn day (10/15/16), there must have been at least a few hundred people climbing as we were constantly sandwiched in between groups who were either trying to circumvent us or right on our tails. Granted we did take the most direct/popular paths of White Dot up and White Cross down. The scenery during the fall is breathtaking with the foliage and the multiple false peaks that tease you. "We're almost there...?!" So many gorgeous photo opportunities if you can find an area not densely packed with other bodies especially at the summit. When we reached the top around 11:30am, there were people lining each crevice of the mountain and it was difficult to get a photo that captured all of the natural beauty. As you can imagine with all these people traversing the trail the large rocks are smoothed down and slippery. I can imagine hiking Monadnock while it's raining would be quite treacherous. In several areas there are steep inclines and most people are also crawling on their hands or propelling themselves upwards from one boulder to the next. You could take a longer way and go around for some of these areas. Strangely enough there were several patches of wet/muddy and spots leftover probably from previous rain especially on the way down in the shaded areas. I personally think that the descent is trickier than the ascent especially since we took a different path down. We traded the larger smoother rocks/boulders for those pesky ENDLESS small uneven rocks. I was so sick of them not even halfway down, if I were to come here again I would look into using a different path since the impact on your knees is quite jarring. So if you're like me using hiking poles on the way down can definitely alleviate some of the impact on your knees/ankles. I definitely felt that the next day and avoided stairs as much as I could. All in all it was a pleasant but challenging experience for me since prior to this we had only hiked easy and short 1-2 hour hikes. If we return we'll check out the other paths plan on bringing more water. read more

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This was one of the hardest hikes I've ever done! Mother nature wasn't happy that day. Took us about 4 hours to complete it. However, because it started raining so hard everything became muddy and slippery so it was a bit more dangerous. You can get lost really easily, so keep your eye open for TINY orange circles on trees. Other than that, I hope you can read maps cause I cannot. View is awesome and the scenery is nice. read more

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I've hiked up to Mount Monadnock 3 times now and it never gets old! The 360 degrees summit views are spectacular for it being less than a 4000 footer and there are multiple vista views on the way up as well. Recently brought along a greenhorn and it was just the perfect intro length at under 4 miles roundtrip via the White Dot trail. Don't get me wrong, there will be intermediate spots so I would not classify this as an easy trail. You still need to have good shoes, a good deal of layered clothes and your usual hiking essentials. Foliage is amazing this time of the year but if I were to do it over again, I'd aim for September to get both the foliage and the warmer weather as the summit was quite nippy and windy when we got there. Fabulous time to be had by all! I'm sure I'll be back again. Tip: Bring cash to park in the lot. It's $5/pp and they don't accept credit cards. read more

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Great hike. Took about 4 hours to hike up the white cross trail and down the white dot trail. This included a lunch at the top and multiple breaks through the hike. Parking - probably the biggest downside. It's $5 per person to park. I get it, they need money, but come on other places charge per car. Why be different! Facilities - they have portable toilets and an outhouse kind of setup. Definitely go to the bathroom before hand some place near by if you can't handle the smell of.... Other people. There's also no running water so make sure to fill up before hand. They also have a store with general supplies if needed. Tips - bring a light jacket as it does get windy up top. Make sure to pack alot of water, snacks, and probably a meal to eat if that's your MO. read more

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I honestly could not give this mountain less than 5 stars. It is beautiful. That being said, I don't know if I could recommend it to first time hikers. I have hiked before, many of the smaller mountains in the White Mountains and Cannon Mt. I found this to be the most difficult (and yes I know Cannon is 2000 feet higher). The rocky terrain and steepness of the trails make it hard. We took the easiest and most travelled route. White Dot up and White Cross down. It took 2 hours to get up and it was a good cardio workout. Going down also took 2 hours but much more of an orthopedic workout, particular knees and feet. I brought 2 bottles of water and was done about a half hour before I finished. All that being said, I saw lots of kids running up the mountain without a problem. Things to bring: Water, protein snacks, camera or phone, hiking shoes, small first aid kit, with an ace bandage (lots of loose rocks), sweater or jacket for the summit (it can get really cold and windy at the top). I am really looking forward to trying another route to the top soon. read more

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Love it here. The views are beautiful. Bring a TON of water, very clean, pretty close to algae free springs which is always a good sign, I love all of the trails, and the peaks are incredibly rewarding. read more

Thoreau Emerson and zillions of others Many people have claimed that Mount Monadnock is the most climbed mountain in the United States and even one of the most climbed mountains in the entire world. I think Mt Fuji in Japan and some mountains in China have Monadnock beat but there can be no denying that it is a very popular place. Both Henry Thoreau and Ralph Emerson loved the mountain and wrote extensively about it. It's easy to see why. Beautiful and lush forest on the bottom that gives way to a barren and ethereal summit with gorgeous views in every direction. Mt Monadnock has been climbed, worshiped and a adored for centuries. The top is about 3,165 feet and although it won't kill you like Mt Washington will gladly do, the climb isn't always as easy as some people claim. In nice weather, certain trails get to the summit without too much effort although you still have to be aware that you are going up a pretty large mountain. I have seen women with dresses and heels and other fools with sandals starting the climb and I suspect they didn't get very far. The vast numbers of rocks, roots and steep climbs makes decent footwear and common sense a must. In the winter or in wet weather the climb can be quite challenging, especially if you go up the south side of the mountain. The last several hundred feet is exposed and the trail is basically just a rock slope you have to scramble up using your hands as well as your feet. In ice or damp conditions the climb can be quite slippery and requires care. Certainly not a place for people afraid of heights and folks do get injured. I remember one particular time during very wet weather that we basically just slid down the entire mountain. Another time I can recall grabbing hold of a fairly large tree that unfortunately wasn't very secure and then having the whole thing come down on me. A absolutely gorgeous place that I hate giving only five stars to. It's easy to see why Mount Monadnock has been so revered for so long. No matter what time of the year you go you will be awed by it's beauty. Just make sure you remember that it is a mountain and never stop respecting it. read more

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The white dot trail has some areas of almost vertical climb that makes it very challenging. I recommend to go up and down on the White Cross Trail. There are many sections with stepping stones that make it much easier than the White Dot trail. Fun hike. Bring good hiking footwear and hiking poles help a lot !!!!!! read more

So much fun! The park ranger suggested that we go up the white dot trail and down the white cross trail. The white dot is pretty steep going up and took us almost 2 hours. The white cross trail gets steep at certain points but overall, easier than it would be to go down the white cross trail. It took us a little more than an hour to go down. There were quite a few puddles and tricky areas. The top of the mountain is quite windy. I would bring an extra jacket or find shelter behind the large rocks. Overall, a great experience and a lot of fun! Wear sunscreen and lots of repellant. read more

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My favorite climb, I have been hiking up this gem since I was 6. Please don't be that tourist that does not plan accordingly. Bring water, bug spray, sunscreen, snacks, a headlamp or flashlight, coat, and an emergency blanket. They have to rescue a fair amount of ill prepared tourists a year. If it is too hard turn around and save yourself the embarrassment, of ending up in the newspaper. You are climbing up a mountain not a hill. Still an easier climb than the big dogs up in the white mountains. Not telling you my favorite trails- you just go and do the white dot! If you get into trouble, that is the best one, most rangers, quicker response time. read more

Mount Monadnock - view from the top - Campgrounds Near Me

On the summit as I stood, O'er the wide floor of plain and flood, Seemed to me, the towering hill Was not altogether still, But a quiet sense conveyed; If I err not, thus it said:-- "Many feet in summer seek, Betimes, my far-appearing peak; In the dreaded winter time, None save dappling shadows climb, Under clouds, my lonely head, Old as the sun, old almost as the shade. And comest thou To see strange forests and new snow, And tread uplifted land? And leavest thou thy lowland race, Here amid clouds to stand? And would'st be my companion, Where I gaze, And shall gaze, When forests fall, and man is gone, Over tribes and over times, As the burning Lyre, Nearing me, With its stars of northern fire, In many a thousand years? "Monadnoc is a mountain strong, Tall and good my kind among; But well I know, no mountain can Measure with a perfect man. For it is on temples writ, Adamant is soft to wit: And when the greater comes again With my secret in his brain, I shall pass, as glides my shadow Daily over hill and meadow... "Through all time, I heard the approaching feet Along the flinty pathway beat Of him that cometh, and shall come; Of him who shall as lightly bear My daily load of woods and streams, As doth this round sky-cleaving boat Which never strains its rocky beams; Whose timbers, as they silent float, Alps and Caucasus uprear, And the long Alleghanies here, And all town-sprinkled lands that be, Sailing through stars with all their history. -Emerson writes a better review than I.... read more

Mount Monadnock - winter on Monadnock - Campgrounds Near Me

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I'm no couch potato, but this was a ball buster. Dot up, cross down. If you only look at one picture to decide if you want to try Monadnock, look at mine (YES, you go up those rocks). Took us a leasurely 4.5 hours to do, luckily it was an overcast cool day. We got passed by plenty of fitter folks, but few came close to packing the appropriate goods to do this climb, my pack was 15 pounds, my wife's was 5. Also, if you want to see less people, find another route, don't expect rookie climbers to NOT do what the ranger recommends. Going on a weekday early in the morning is also helpful to get the mountain to yourself. read more

Mount Monadnock - White Dot - Campgrounds Near Me

I wish that I could say that I had roamed the corners of Monadnock State Park, but that is the beauty of parks. You can return to them time and time again, and find new adventures. For my part I hiked the Dublin trail from start to finish, and ended up on the mountain peak. For those who have not hiked recently, mountain peaks are pretty awesome. Looking at pretty pictures online is OK, but they pale in comparison to looking out over the rolling hills of New Hampshire where you can see the shadows that the clouds cast over the land. A lone hawk cruises the skies below, and you think to your self, "'MURICA!" Getting to that point is where the adventure lies. Grab a partner or two, and hit the trail. It starts off at a reasonable grade, but definitely has some fairly steep portions of scrambling. The trail might cross a rock face that you have to actually grab and climb, but there will also usually be an easier dirt route to walk around the rock. The Dublin trail is only an easy hike to a point, but then becomes a moderate hike as you approach half way. Bring plenty of water, because thirst is a real drag as you approach that glorious, glorious peak. Once you get up there you will probably not be alone. My group was not when we hit the peak. It was more like a large picnicking party. Every one is friendly and in good spirits, because the kind of folks who want to climb a mountain on Saturday are also the kind of folks who are happy to see other people climb a mountain on Saturday. Every one is having a good time. I did it, and was so glad I did. I laid down on the bare rock with no thing between me and heaven as far as the eye could see, and I took the best nap that I ever did nap. It was fantastic, and I had earned it, but the party was not over. Nope, every hiker knows that you then get to do it all again on the way down. So lets get out there and get some nature. read more

I did this hike for the first time this year, and I can't wait to go back. I was amazed by the mix of people there. It was so great to see people of such a range in age and fitness all there to do the same thing, get to the top. There were families with three generations there all making the trek to the top. Some needed an extra hand every now and then (heck, so did I), but they were sticking to it and determined. My boyfriend and I made it to the top and the view was beautiful. It was nice to just sit and relax and take it all in before heading back down. I enjoyed seeing all the people we had passed along the way also achieving the goal of reaching the top. The family that was complaining less than 20 minutes into the venture, the older woman who needed help from her grandkids, the four year old with more energy than her family, all of them completed the journey. Bring water, a snack, and $3 for the hike cost. Also, keep in mind it can get cold at the top, so you may want an extra layer. Be prepared to hit some pretty steep inclines, but remember the view that lies ahead when you complete it. And take in all the people around you, such a great experience. read more

Mount Monadnock - View from the top. - Campgrounds Near Me

One of the good view points in NH. It is good not far from Boston. I hiked here during winter, so microspikes were needed and slippery. Despite of that it was rewarding. read more

I absolutely love this mountain! Maybe it's my skill level or something, but I feel like this is a relatively easy-moderate climb.. I climbed the mountain for the 1st time 16 or 17 years ago. It was this time of year, probably late Sept- early October because the foliage was beautiful..I was with a group of about 15, everyone having different skill levels. I did notice a few people having a hard time, but they we're people who exercised only on occasion that really weren't the type of folks that would set out to do something this adventurous if it weren't for the persistant nagging of a friend or some other influence. The most amazing part, obviously, is the top. This particular day the wind was blowing SO hard that we we're all jumping in the air and being carried by the wind as we jumped..it was so cool. Oh, and the temp does drop about 5-10 degrees once at the top, so be prepared with the clothing you're wearing and the extra clothes you bring. The 2nd time I climbed up was with one of my best buds. We set out early and it was also this time of year because the foliage was just stunning! We had such a great time navigating up and then down choosing trails sometimes on mere whim. What a great time having a nearly flawless climb up and down.. I would climb this mountain every weekend if it was closer! I highly recommend this climb for most folks looking to climb an easy-moderate mountain that can be completed round trip in under 6 hours. *Most of all--wear broken in, quality hiking boots, bring a backpack full of fluids, snacks, lunch, extra clothes and first aid items. But this is a no brainer on any climb.... read more

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I went here with 4 friends and none of us are beginners, nor are we experienced hikers, but we made it to the very top! I have to say the first half was more challenging than the last because of the constant climbing of rocks. There were a few kids, so if they can do it, nothing should be stopping you! We took a lot of breaks to just enjoy the different views so it took us about 4 hours round trip. The view at the top is amazing! Luckily we went on a day when it was super clear so we could see everything. There are a lot of bugs at the top so bug spray may be worth it for some. It was $5 a person, there are definitely people hiking up along with you, and we went up in sneakers which was fine. Going up white dot first and coming down white cross is the way we did it like most people have said in other reviews! Anyway I loved the steepness and feeling like a ninja climbing up. Definitely will be coming back to try the different foot trails! read more

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My friend and I went on a mini adventure to New Hampshire and decided to go hiking here. Upon entering, the charge was $5 per person. There were two different hiking trails you could take. There was the white dot trail(more steep direct route) and the white cross trail (less steep). We decided to get the extra workout and took the white dot trail. I have gone hiking plenty of times before but never like this! It was intense and I thought we'd never get to the top, but we did and boy was the view worth it!! On the way down, we decided to take the white cross trail as we were very tired and it was much easier in my opinion :). It took us a little over 4 hours to complete the entire hike. Be sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, snacks, and a first aid kit! Be extremely cautious! Reminder: IT IS CHALLENGING read more

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I am so tired haha. Went on my first climbing/hiking trip today with my husband. Took the white dot trail up and white cross down. As a first timer man I thought I wasn't going to make it. But it was so worth it at the end. My husband and I encountered lovely people on our way up, we kept encouraging each other to make it to the top. It took us 4 hours to get up to the summit because of the many breaks we had to take, and 3 hours to get back. Also we brought 6 bottles of water which was almost enough for both of us. Over all, it was a great experience despite that we both look like lobsters now due to the intense sun. Will definetly go back again once I feel more fit to climb mountains. Note: It is better to go if you have hiking shoes, lots of water and patience. Also do be careful since climbing rocks up or down can become dangerous. read more

Mount Monadnock - So worth it - Campgrounds Near Me

It feels incredibly wrong to give such a gorgeous mountain a 4 star rating, however, the staggering number of people swarming all over the trails made this hike less than serene. Myself, my boyfriend, and two of our friends climbed the White Dot trail to the summit in early June. The parking/use fee is $5 per person, and on par with other park use fees in the area. We arrived close to 10 am to find the parking lot nearly full and the trails incredibly overrun with people. As a hiker who regularly enjoys solo hikes on lightly traveled trails, I struggled to enjoy this trail with people often hiking directly ahead, and directly behind us. It was difficult to set a comfortable pace without feeling 'stuck' behind slower hikers, or rushed by those at our backs. While the total elevation gain is small (~3,100'), the short trail does make for a few steep areas. The views are phenomenal, and well worth the climb, but I would suggest enjoying this trail in the off-season! read more

Mount Monadnock - Views from the summit - Campgrounds Near Me

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Was it worth it? Yes. Was it hard? YES! Let me preface this by saying I am not an active person and I managed to finish this hike in ~4.5 hrs. Pace yourself and don't give up! Arrived around 8:30am and parked in the first lot. $5 per person entry fee. It is a take in bring out park, no trash cans. We came on a breezy summer day (late August). We went up white dot and went down white cross. Markers were easy to follow. Some parts were steep and you have to climb around rocks. On my way down, my legs were literally jello. It was a struggle, but I made it. Definitely recommend hiking shoes and water! I brought ~50oz and a bottle of gatorade. Some people had hiking poles, but I didn't think it was necessary. Views were pretty sweet, made the hike worth it. I look forward to coming back! read more

I saw one review that said this was a "fun little hike." The words fun and little did not cross my mind while hiking this mountain. I don't typically hike mountains but I run, bike, go to the gym and am generally active. I thought this was HARD. It was definitely harder than I expected. Some parts were very steep and it felt like we were rock climbing only without any gear/equipment. The entire time up, I was dreading the descent because I foresaw disaster. We did make it to the summit (we went up the White Dot trail which was unbearably crowded, but also motivating since 8 year-olds were doing it; and went down the White Cross trail). On the way up, I thought I'd die because my heart was POUNDING out of my chest. On the way down, I thought I'd die because it was steep and a little slippery. But, I lived. And I did like it. The views were nice, I felt accomplished after (although also a little pathetic since it was so hard for me!). We did bring snacks and water which I was questioning, but am VERY glad we did. I was so thirsty and hungry by the time we got to the top. I would probably do it again but maybe a less crowded trail. read more

This was something I was NOT expecting...and not for the better. I read reviews and it seemed like Mt. Monadnock was the PERFECT hike for beginners! Seemed fairly easy and hey!, if kids are being mentioned that they did it, I guess I could too. Who are these kids? Superheros? It was a nice drive from Boston, about 1 1/2 hrs (minus the 5 minutes for the Dunkin Donuts run). It was 5 dollars to park, which is not bad at all. I thought I was going to DIE just going up the stairs to the headquarters. Why were they so steep? They world may never know. I'm no Jillian Michaels, but I mean, I'm an average fit gal...maybe because I do smoke it was worse on me than it was with my friend who suffers from chronic asthma.... which by the way, she used her inhaler only once, and it was after the 'death stairs' as we dubbed it. We took white dot to white cross, which was only after the German couples behind us (who, looked like they were about to die on the way to the cross point) took this trail, because why would they take such a bad trail if they were in such bad shape in the beginning, right? Wrong. It was a tease in the beginning, fairly flat with some rocks, but we came to the Great Wall of Boulders. Steep stepping stones with a fairly decent incline. It was INTENSE. We (I) took breaks every 3 minutes. Rest for 30 seconds. and Repeat. We hit about what seemed to me, a 50 ft rock wall, where foot placement was key or else, it would be a tumble that would hurt...a lot. The higher we got on white cross, the awesome the views were (obviously) ...and so was higher the anxiety. My friend kept telling me not to look back after I sat on a boulder about to have a mental breakdown/anxiety attack. With all this talk you would think we finished the majestic hike and saw the panoramic views Mt. Monadnock has to offer...but we didn't. We stopped short of Bald Rock, sat on top of a ledge, had our peanut butter jelly sandwiches, and decided to head back down since we weren't too sure exactly...how we were going to scale down the rock wall...or get back to base without breaking any limb for that matter (there were many people, as they passed us, encouraging us and telling us to keep going...we did not listen). Going down was probably the worst of it all. You don't exactly realize how steep it is, until you fall twice...because that happened to me. Of course, it probably wasn't the greatest idea to wear my easy tones to this (as some woman pointed out, but then said 'at least your ass will look fabulous!') I'm not quite sure how people reach the summit, because where we stopped (so close yet so far away), we could see the top being nothing but rock, at a steep incline, and people crawling on all 4's to reach the peak. Maybe with hiking equipment, experience, and just a natural sense of wilderness; but for the first time trekker, I was pretty content where we stopped. It took us less than 6 hours to finish this, including the celebratory 'We didn't die so let's get an iced coffee' trip. Probably was the most strenuous thing I had done, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I'm probably over - exaggerating on some things, but it was definitely a cool trip, with some spectacular views But I will never do this again. Unless New Hampshire paves a road to the top with stairs, hand rails, and rest stops in between. read more

Monadnock -- ultra popular for area beginner hikers; 1.7 hrs from Boston; gorgeous views from above the timber line. Only problems consist of too many hikers on one trail: white dot and white cross. People -- get a map and find yourself in countless other great trails to get up and down with ease and without the crowds and lines. Route today: up white dot from Park HQ and down white arrow -- bald rock -- lost farm trail -- parker. It was busy going up, but white dot is by far the "quickest" from a parking area. The trail down was dead empty and, although from the summit, the trail is a bit steep, the remainder once you're back in the trees, is fairly easy breezy. Just a warning to those beginners, please please please bring water, a trail MAP, and warm clothes for the top, AND don't start hiking after 1 PM. No one wants to get stuck in the dark on a trail they're unfamiliar with ... White dot takes about 4 hours to get up and down at a relatively moderate pace. The route we took was about 5 hours round. But regardless of the crowds, Monadnock is not to be missed for the views and proximity to the city. Items to bring: hat/sunscreen bug spray warm clothes in layers (shorts okay for 60-ish degree weather) water trail mix trail map! (flashlight) cash to park ibuprofen for the weak knees read more

An easy climb for beginners? This mountain is the opposite! The park ranger at the gate was friendly and at $5 each for the two of us it is a bargain. This ends the good news portion of my review. I climbed it 6 months earlier and had a horrible time then too. I thought it might have just been me. No, halfway up this time the bad memories came rushing back, this mountain is really awful and dangerous! The white dot and white cross trails are mostly over granite boulders with running streams for the added hazzard of slipping and landing in water. You need to carefully choose every place you place each step or you can fall and get hurt badly. By comparison Mount Washington is taller but considerably easier to climb, not the technical nightmare of Monadnock. If you are an experienced climber looking for a challege then by all means have at it. If not I suggest this is probably not a good place to start. There seems to be a steady flow of young & inexperienced climbers constantly heading up and down so this mountain will survive mine and others' bad reviews. read more

Monadnock is an amazing hike! The most hiked mountain in the US of A! 1.5hr drive from Boston. $3. 2nd most hiked in the world after Mount Fuji, Japan! The reason it is the most hiked? Because it rocks. Rose quartz. Granite. A leprachaun will wish you a "wicked, awesome time." And Mount Monadnock is central to New Yorkers, Vermonters, Massers etc. You can see all 6 New England states from points on this mount! Monadnock is also where the water bubbler at work comes from. And yes, I have seen the reservoir and it is all good. It used have glacier and you can see the markings. 1/3 top of the mountain is mysteriuosly spare, no trees, due to hardcore fires. ROCK CLIMBING! Straight up rock face for 30 foot stretches. Or steep rock stairways to heaven. You don't need harnesses or anything. And unless you're a hardcore smoker, really overweight, or just don't particurlary care for nature, then maybe it's not for you but if not you just go into instinct mode! My eight year old neice did it (though she cried some) Take lots of breaks. Smoke herb. Drink glacier amounts of water. Use those muscles in places you never even knew you had. Lay down on a baking rock and feel the breeze, it's windy up there! You tra ns f o r m into a spider goat. A mountaineer. And its a beautiful thing. I trank 2 liters of lime seltzer. Camel backs are kewl. Everything tastes great on top of the mountain. We dined on cheese and bread and sugar cookies. Don't leave any trash. Duh. Bring bug spray. The place is also a slice of mosquito heaven at the bottom if you stay still. I brought the citronella. Other people swore by Deet. I love the Monadnock hike, the motion, the plenty of small breaks of staggering genius, the constant choices for the right step. The ablebodiness that comes with the challenge and control- read more

Wow. Just wow. It's a beautiful, challenging hike, and you WILL work up a sweat, so remember to bring LOTS of water. We usually freeze two giant bottles of water, and bring two thermoses full as well, and those will last the entire 4 hours (including the nice half hour we spend at the summit for lunch). I think it's good to climb the white dots up (shortest route up, but steepest as well--fantastic for building up confidence in one's spidey senses/skillz) and take the white crosses down (longer trail, but less steep... though still rather steep at some points). The view at the top of the mountain is breathtaking--lots of green, lots of water, lots of WOW. Just be careful of where you sit down... I was about to take out my sandwich and start munchin' when I noticed that there was a menagerie of (jumping) spiders all around my bum. Yup. I had attempted to sit down on a community of arachnids. That aside, it was awesome. Also awesome? Watching all these ants on the mountain dragging HUGE bees and worms by themselves back to their colony. These critters are impressive! Anyway, for a lovely escape from the city (1.5-2 hours away from Boston), THIS is the place to be! Just remember to pack sunscreen and bug spray, and, again, LOTS OF WATER, and you'll be set. Enjoy the scenery, relish the exercise, and just be amazed. read more

One of the most frequently climbed peaks in the world! While Monadnock is certainly no Everest (checking in at a mere 3,165'), the challenge as well as the reward are spectacular. The beau and I work early Saturday (April 26) morning and set to the Halfway House/White Arrow trail head. *We paid $5 EACH to park and hike (about $7 more than it would be to climb ANY White), tipped our hats to the ranger, and set to the 2.2-mile trail to the top! *No pets/pups allowed on these trails (just an FYI for those of trek with their K9s, I didn't mind the noise-free/poop-free/drool-free result of this rule). *Though it is still early spring, there were black flies out near the base *The first mile or so was relatively flat terrain which developed gradually into moderate-to-steep with rocky footing *About 75% of the way up, the trail levels out to rocky ledges (GREAT views even here!). Turn to your right and you'll see your next challenge: the great stone crawl to the summit. While I found this fun and mildly challenging, I can see how families with small children might not want to tackle this trail (though, that didn't stop two dads with three 6/7/8year olds!). *Like seagulls to small rock island, hikers flock and feed on the tree-less summit. While there is no shelter from the wind or sun, Monadnock's bald top yields some of the most spectacular views available! Considering its elevation and location, it's somewhat of a wonder to be able to look out (360 degrees) and see a tiny glimmer that COULD just be Boston! The ledges are safe (if you fall, it probably won't be far/deadly) and there is PLENTY of room for everyone! You'll probably diagnose yourself with jelly-leg the day after your adventure, but the photographs and memories will make this little mountain all the more an achievement (not to mention, motivation for the Whites once the thaw is out!) read more

This is an awesome day trip hike that will not disappoint you. Being from California and used to Sierra mountains, I wasn't sure where to find similar mountains and natural places on the East coast, but it turns out they do exist! The bottom half of the hike is fantastic, especially if you follow the stream when it's flowing - there are grottos and small waterfalls that are just gorgeous that frankly surprised me. I saw a little garter snake scurry through the water when he saw me, and got some great photos of the stream and fantastic greenery growing around it. Keep hiking up, and you get to the bare rock and eventually to the peak. I was amazed at the vertical elevation gain over the whole hike - it's something like 1700 feet, so it's really a workout to get to the top. The view, of course, is incredible. Totally worth it. Pictures don't do it justice; they never do for mountaintop views. The hike down is possibly the worst part - it's very rocky and steep, but there are a few highlights, including one spot that's a natural slide (thanks to the kids in front of me for showing me that). My one tip would be - if you have good footing - be very careful, but keep up your pace on the way down. Most of what hurts is stopping your natural fall - so use gravity when you can! By the bottom I found that I was almost running and hopping between rocks, and it was very comfortable on the knees. All in all, it was a fantastic hike that really showed me what New England has to offer. I can't wait to check out more of the mountains up north this summer! read more

Climbing Mount Monadnock is THE perfect day trip from Boston. First, it doesn't take all day to get there (just over two hours). Heading out Route 2 just feels good somehow, with all the history involved in heading through Lexington and Concord (although I'd hate to commute on it every day!) and how quickly you get into small towns and forest. I haven't hit much traffic on the weekend. Second, it's just the perfect balance of challenge to payoff. It's pretty steep in sections, especially near the top, but the view from the top is just exhilarating and makes the workout required to get there so worth it. I'd recommend choosing a route to the top that avoids the main trails (White Cross, White Dot) in order to avoid the crowds and to have the trail mostly to yourself for the day, at least until you get to the top. All of the typical hiking rules apply: Bring water, wear sturdy shoes or boots (although it can be done on a nice, dry day in sneakers if you have good ankles and are careful), dress in layers in spring or fall, including something warm and something waterproof. Consider bug spray/sunscreen/snacks. If you have the chance, stop off in Jaffrey or Peterborough, New Hampshire, two very cool, quintessential New England towns near Mount Monadnock. read more

I've read a bunch of reviews saying that kids did this so it can't be that hard. Remember that kids have stamina like no other, endless energy, and are fearless. Dear middle aged adults, you are NOT a child, and I guarantee the children can hike this faster than most adults. I love hiking but haven't hiked a wide variety of difficult mountains, but I am in shape. I started out on this hike feeling pretty defeated and hating it because there are SO many rocks and they are SO STEEP! After about an hour of the rocks, I finally got above the tree line and was amazed. From there, you can see the summit, though it's a ways off. The views were amazing! The way up the the summit has way less little rocks to climb up in exchange for bigger, flat rocks to scale up. Make sure your shoes have good traction! (I wore New Balance Minimus shoes, which are trail shoes but offer no support at all- I love hiking in them and was pleased with them again on this hike). I was told you can see the Boston skyline from the summit, but it was fairly cloudy so no such luck. The views were still absolutely amazing though. I did the White Cross trail up, hit the White Dot trail right up near the summit, and took the White Cross back down. The trails were so clearly marked, unlike some of the other places I've been to. I hiked alone and enjoyed that there weren't tons of people (I did go during the week) so I still got to enjoy nature, but there were just enough people that I felt safe out there. I spent about 30 minutes at the top and about 10 minutes throughout the hike stopping to chat with people. I finished the hike in 2hrs and 55 min, top to bottom. I ran the very end of the trail back since it was fairly flat also. I also had about 20lbs in my backpack, including 8 water bottles (I only drank 2 because peeing on the trail didn't seem easy to do, but had drank a lot prior to getting on the trail). I absolutely loved the views on this trail and felt so accomplished for hiking it, especially in a fairly good time! My knees sure are feeling the hike though! read more

Mt. Monadnock is a relatively easy climb (compared to the behemoths like Mt. Washington) that is very accessible (approximately 1.5 hour drive from Boston on major highway), cheap ($3 for parking) and beautiful. There are multiple trails that you can pick to suit your level of climbing. No climbing gear needed although good shoes are always great. There are levels that are somewhat steep and require you to pull yourself up. Do not expect a flat walk in the woods. Snacks and water a must. Once you get to the top, the view is great. On a clear day you can peer down into the Boston area while the wind cools the sweat off your brow and back. Especially beautiful in the fall, when the leaves are at the height of luscious redness. read more

White Dot up, White Cross down. Maybe I was in much better shape as a kid or maybe I've just been on "nature walks" and never truly went hiking before, but being the most climbed mountain in the world definitely doesn't make it easy to get to the summit and back. It was a tough experience, it's not just walking along a nice wide trail up, there are points where you have to think about how your going to get to the next step without falling or hurting yourself, and it's definitely a challenge for those who normally don't do this kind of thing. A lazy nature walk this is not. A hiking experience it is. It's definitely worth doing, there are good reasons why it's the most hiked mountain in the world, reaching the true summit is a great feeling. Take your time, start early in the morning before the rush of people, bring plenty of water and energy snacks, have a good pair of boots, get ready to get a little dirty because some parts you will have to get on your butt or hands and knees to get up or down depending on your ability, and enjoy. read more

This summer I have been on a hiking kick, so I decided to end the summer with one final hike up Monadnock. I can't believe I've grown up in the MA area and never climbed this mountain. I think for awhile I was a little scared of how hard it might be, but after successfully climbing Mount Washington earlier this season, I knew I could take it on. I was surprised there was a parking fee, but after that the rest of the hike was great. Along the way, Monadnock offers some great vistas and different terrain. It's a pretty rocky hike, but there were no points that I was scared of falling, or the rocks falling on me (like our hike up Mt. Washington). While the day we hiked was a little overcast and chilly (fall was in the air), there was still a pretty good view at the top. Supposedly, you can see Mt. Washington and Boston from the top; unfortunately, the weather wasn't that clear for us. There are 2 main trails that go up from the parking lot we were at - the white cross trail & the white dot trail. And while they intersect at the top and bottom, they work well for a loop hike. Monadnock is definitely not a beginner hike, but it's a great day hike with a bit of a challenge. read more