Mount Major

A scenic, rocky summit with expansive summit views of Lake Winnipesaukee.
Extremely popular summit accessible by multiple trails including the Mount Major Trail, the Brook Trail, and the Boulder Loop.

Routes

Mount Major Trail (Blue)

44 summits • 3.1 mi • 1,097 ft gain • 2 hr 50 min • Class 1

Boulder Loop Trail (Orange)

29 summits • 4.0 mi • 1,083 ft gain • 3 hr 46 min • Class 1

Latest summits

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"On July 2nd, a group of us hiked to the top of Mount Major in New Hampshire's Lakes Region. Hiking group included: my brothers Sean Crotty, Brendan Crotty, my two nephews and friends Marc Zdunczyk & Jeff Zdunczyk. We had done this hike once before in 2006. And both times we were blessed with amazing views of Lake Winnipesaukee from the summit. We hiked the orange trail up and back for a total combined distance of 3.2 miles and an elevation gain of 1,148 feet. It took us 1 hour 52 minutes going up and 1 hour 15 minutes coming down. We hiked very slowly enjoying the scenery and taking frequent breaks This is a great hike for all athletic abilities. My 8 year old nephew breezed up this without breaking a sweat. I made a fun little video of the hike here: https://youtu.be/sNJ3OA9RGc8 Let me know what you think! Liam" — liam • Jul 2, 2019

"Gray and drizzly start to the day but rain held off. Hit the trail at 7a;45 a.m. and almost no-one on the Boulder Trail. Cool breeze felt good in the high humidity. COuldn't see far up into the White mountains from the summit, but vies of the lake were very pretty." — rjnick • May 27, 2018

"Did the Belknap Range Traverse (alternate route) to hit 10 peaks and complete my Hike366 project. A really fun route! Left a car at the end of the hike and took an Uber to the starting trailhead. What an adventure." — beaucheminjess • May 10, 2018

"Great day out in the Eastern Belknap Range. Loop hike starting from the Mt Major trailhead and hitting the following peaks: Mt Major, Straightback Mountain South Peak, Mount Anna, Mount Mack, Mount Klem, Mount Rand, West Quarry Mountain, East Quarry Mountain, Straightback Mountain North Peak." — kpreston21 • Apr 28, 2018

"Parking lot was already almost full when my pup and I arrived at 8:45 am. We headed up the Brook Trail to try and avoid some of the crowds headed up and were mildly successful. Trails were eroded but other than that looking good. For all the cars at the bottom the summit wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be. Still, we only stopped there for 10-15 min before heading over to Straightback for some solitude. We only saw 1 other hiker out there the rest of the day." — HikeLikeMike • Aug 13, 2017

"After Straightback, and some more confusion, we went over and did Major. Still socked in the clouds. Minimal snow on this hike. We reached the parking lot 30 minutes after the other group. It was a great hike and meeting other AMC people. " — newenglandwarrior • Apr 22, 2017

"Hiked over from Straightback peak along the BRT trail. Had not seen a soul along North and South Straightback, but had a handful on Majors peak. Great views of lakes and enjoyed a snack near old shelter to brake wind. Then headed down Boulder trail be kept to parking lot. " — blackwolf_03278 • Feb 19, 2017

"Thanksgiving family hike! First hike for my youngest! We were lucky to have the view right before the snow began! It was a busy day on the mountain for families...we had a great time!" — shay-shay • Nov 24, 2016

"Spent the day visiting the summits of some fun little peaks in the Belknap range. After doing Belknap and Gunstock I relocated to the MT Major trailhead on RT 11. Whoa I went from a nice quiet small parking lot to Disney World,many cars and many hikers. Next I made the mistake of taking the Mt Major trail. One of the worse trails I have ever walked on. You are literally walking in a narrow three foot deep trench in one spot. Major need of serious trail work. Fortunately the summit wasn't too crowded. Open top allowed for a broad view of the lake and peaks." — Nimblefoot • Aug 29, 2016

"Cloudy skies all day for this hike. When we got to the summit we were hiking in the clouds across the ridge over to South Straightback and Mt. Major. It was still a cool experience. Trails were in great shape. The newly painted blazes were clear the whole way making even the foggiest sections easy to navigate." — HikeLikeMike • Aug 13, 2016

"Summited with Abby Nick. Temperature in the low 30's with a wicked wind. Snow flurries most of the trip up with ice at the summit. Could see the snow-capped White Mnts. today." — rjnick • Nov 14, 2015

"Mt Major Via Boulder Loop Trail ascent and Mt Major Trail descent. I've hiked this many times throughout my life; this was my first which I track with GPS. Always love the views of Lake Winnipesaukee." — gullyhiker • Jun 13, 2015

"Beautiful day for hike with our dog up the Boulder Loop Trail. The trail was mostly dry minus a few puddles near the summit, but the trek up was mostly moderate with the slightly steep ascent about 0.7 mi before the summit. The views at the top were fantastic helped by a sunny day and very sparse clouds." — HikeLikeMike • Jun 6, 2015

"Started up the Boulder Loop to the summit and then took the Range Trail to Straightback Mt North Peak and then over to East Quarry Mt. Took the Brook Trail back down to the parking lot which was incredibly icey! Typical breezy, cool February day hike." — DPGobleJR • Feb 4, 2013

"Haven't been here for awhile. Breezy with temps around 40. A lot of leaves on the trails making it slippery in spots and a few trees have fallen across the trails probably since 'superstorm' Sandy rolled through." — StoneMan • Nov 4, 2012

"Shared the summit with about 75 other hikers to watch the fireworks in Alton Bay and other distant towns. It's kind of an annual and fun thing to do. Hiked back down with a headlamp to the parking lot by 11PM. " — StoneMan • Jul 3, 2012

"We climbed with my daughter's 5th grade class. 60+ kids, 35+ parents, 4 teachers, and 1 nurse. The thunderstorms held off giving us beautiful weather for our hike. Def a hike I'll be doing again!" — Amero4k • Jun 8, 2012

"I enjoyed the opportunity to accompany my daughter on her 5th grade field trip. This was my first mountain hike and it was strenuous for me at first, but when I got to the top, it was wonderful. I felt exhilarated! The view is amazing!!" — ramona.lee1 • Jun 8, 2012

"Needed to try out my new rain gear. Hiked up the back side of Mt. Major. Hadn't gone that way since I was a kid. Then over to Straightback and down. Startled 2 Turkeys on the hike. They startled me back." — darrenclericuzio • Jun 2, 2012

"This was first hike in snow and ice, was a great day! We had just gotten icy weather few days before, so trees toward top were still covered in ice, with the sun light out made for great views! " — blackwolf_03278 • Jan 29, 2012