View from South Uncanoonuc Mountain

The South Uncanoonuc Summit and Walker Trail Loop offers a compact yet rewarding hiking experience, leading you through varied forest paths to expansive panoramic views. You'll traverse dense woodlands with tall pines and hardwoods, transitioning to rockier sections as you climb. From the east-facing ledge on the Walker Trail, you can enjoy a stunning panorama of Manchester, making the effort worthwhile.

This easy 1.3-mile (2.0 km) loop involves 641 feet (195 metres) of elevation gain and takes about 45 minutes, making it ideal for a quick outing. The trailhead is easily accessible, located just minutes from Manchester and Goffstown. Proper footwear is recommended due to some rocky and potentially steep, gravelly sections, especially on the Walker Trail.

Despite the communication towers at the summit, the South Uncanoonuc Mountain area is a popular choice for its accessibility and diverse trail options. It provides a quick mountain escape with views that can stretch to the Boston skyline on clear days, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and distant urban vistas.

The North Uncanoonuc Mountain loop from South Uncanoonuc Mountain offers a unique dual-summit experience, contrasting the serene, untouched feel of North Uncanoonuc with the communication towers atop South Uncanoonuc. You'll traverse varied terrain, from dense hemlock and spruce forests to rocky ledges, with trails like the White Dot on North Uncanoonuc presenting immediate, steep climbs. The route provides surprisingly extensive panoramic views of the Merrimack Valley, Manchester, and even the Boston skyline on clear days, making it a rewarding moderate 4.6-mile (7.5 km) hike with 1398 feet (426 metres) of gain, typically completed in 2 hours and 38 minutes.

Planning your visit to these popular trails in the Uncanoonuc Mountains is straightforward, given their proximity to Manchester and Goffstown. While specific parking information isn't detailed, arriving early is always a good strategy to ensure a spot at the trailhead, especially during peak times. Be ready for steep grades and potentially slippery, rocky footing, particularly on trails like the Incline Trail on South Uncanoonuc, which resembles a washed-out riverbed.

What makes this loop truly notable is its blend of natural beauty and historical significance; South Uncanoonuc once hosted a fire tower, hotel, and even a trolley. The ability to summit two distinct mountains, each with its own character, in a single outing is a significant draw. Keep an eye out for blueberry and blackberry bushes along some trails, offering a trailside treat in season, and enjoy the extensive views from both summits.

The North Uncanoonuc Mountain loop from Water Precinct Land offers a challenging yet rewarding journey through varied New Hampshire terrain. You'll navigate immediate, strenuous ascents over rocky, mossy trails, passing through spruce forests before reaching the summit. From the grassy meadow at the top of North Uncanoonuc Mountain, you're treated to expansive views of South Uncanoonuc, the city of Manchester, and the Merrimack Valley, making the effort well worth it.

This moderate 4.5-mile (7.3 km) hiking route involves 1324 feet (403 metres) of elevation gain and typically takes about 2 hours and 34 minutes. The initial climbs are steep, and some sections have tricky, uneven terrain, so it's best suited for hikers with some experience. The trailhead is located in Goffstown, accessible via Town Conservation Land and Village Water Precinct Land; arriving early is often a good strategy for parking.

What makes North Uncanoonuc Mountain particularly notable is its quiet, natural summit experience, offering a stark contrast to the more developed South Uncanoonuc. The summit area is also a great spot for picnicking and even berry picking when in season, providing a peaceful escape just a short drive from Manchester. On clear days, you can even spot distant peaks like the Belknap and Ossipee Ranges.