Hey folks - My girlfriend and I are looking for places to go hiking in the coming week(s) and I came across Mount Monadnock. We'd be coming up for a day hike from Providence. I found a list of trails through this website: https://www.mount-monadnock.com/trail_info.shtml.

I'm curious: which of these trails would you suggest and why? We're both fit and moderately-experienced hikers (mainly in Shenandoah National Park, for reference), so up for a challenge if it's the most fun route.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

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thread100 t1_iuf7lu0 wrote on October 30, 2022 at 9:35 PM

Not sure if still true, but at one point Mount monadnock was the second most popular mountain climb in the world. Mt Fuji was number one.

GraniteGeekNH t1_iuhrjl7 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 1:04 PM

As the wikipedia article on Mt. Monadnock points out, there was never any actual evidence for this claim; it was a guess, probably boosted by state tourism folks. After all, it's not like there's accurate data on number of annual climbers for every popular small mountain in the world!

But Monadnock can be wicked crowded on a nice weekend, that's for sure.

thread100 t1_iui5unr wrote on October 31, 2022 at 2:52 PM

Thank you. I had heard that urban legend from my dad way back before the internet could check any dad facts.

GraniteGeekNH t1_iui7fjs wrote on October 31, 2022 at 3:03 PM

Speaking as a dad, the internet has ruined my reputation for wisdom and knowledge.

thread100 t1_iuijhx7 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 4:24 PM

Love it.

wolfsmoon_73 t1_iufla85 wrote on October 30, 2022 at 11:11 PM

Dublin Trail! Definitely not as crowded on a weekend and is the easiest way up Monadnock (in my opinion), but still a good challenge. 2.2 miles from the parking lot. Only one steep section for about a 1/2 mile…the rest is steady incline.

lamprocapnos_ t1_iufvnjm wrote on October 31, 2022 at 12:30 AM

I've always enjoyed the Pumpelly trail, It's 9 miles out and back if you're up for a longer hike. Parking is free as well, but you do have to park along the side of the road.

A fun loop is Birchtoft/Spellman/Red Spot if you're comfortable with a little bit of easy scrambling - Spellman is pretty steep and rocky. Very quiet when I did it, but parking was not free. You might be able to park at a lot outside the pay area if it is open though.

TheScienceTM t1_iuf7v0k wrote on October 30, 2022 at 9:37 PM

I enjoyed the white dot and white cross trail when I did Monadnock. I took one up and the other down, I can't remember in which order.

rahnster_wright t1_iufe3wu wrote on October 30, 2022 at 10:20 PM

I agree. One of them, can't remember which is very fun. The more "dangerous" of the two!

tstonesohard t1_iujlnu2 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 8:39 PM

Second this - the white dot and white cross are classics.

Ok_Nobody4967 t1_iuf8a2r wrote on October 30, 2022 at 9:39 PM

I enjoyed the White Arrow trail. One does not have to pay for parking, and the halfway point was an area that used to be a hotel. It is the most direct to the summit and isn’t too busy. The other trails that start in the main parking lot can be pretty busy.

jackalnhyde t1_iug49bh wrote on October 31, 2022 at 1:36 AM

One thing to keep in mind is that Monadnock is a very popular hike! For trails where the trailhead belongs to the state park you can make parking reservations online--the information is here:

https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/monadnock-state-park

Derring-Do_Dan t1_iug56xg wrote on October 31, 2022 at 1:44 AM

Well of you're driving all the way up might as well go for it. Up Spellman to Pumpelly, from the peak go down White Arrow or Smith Summit to get to Amphitheater, which features Black Precipice. Come down Cliff Walk for Bunch of stunning views.