Finding the Foliage on New Hampshire’s Mt. Roberts
If you’re looking for a moderate fall hike with amazing foliage and fantastic views of the Lakes Region, you can’t do much better than Mt. Roberts at the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area near Moultonborough, New Hampshire. Just a 5.2-mile round trip, the hike is family-friendly with moderate elevation gain and comfortable footing. We hiked this 2,582 foot peak a couple of weekends ago and loved it. It’s a great option for anybody looking for an easy and enjoyable hike. Check it out.
The hikers’ parking lot for the Mt. Roberts Trail is just to the right of the entrance for Castle in the Clouds. From this small pullout, hikers follow the road for about 100 yards, before turning left onto a dirt road, heading up a slight incline as the trail arcs through woodland around the edge of a horse stable and pasture. Although this initial section can feel a little confusing—in part because there’s so much going at Castle in the Clouds—the junction is well-signed and from here on out the trail’s orange diamond blazes are easy to follow.
Around the pasture, the dirt road turns to trail and then narrows as it weaves through hardwoods on the way up Mt. Roberts. These initial sections are pleasant hiking on cruiser terrain.
Nearly halfway up, hikers cross the first of Mt. Roberts’ scenic ledges. The view towards Lake Winnipesauke here is incredible and it is a great spot to pause and have a snack, especially if the kiddos in the group need some more energy. Ours certainly did and we paused here thinking this was the view that all the online write-ups were raving about.
Turns out we were wrong. Over the next ¾ of a mile or so, as we climbed higher and higher, the views from each succeeding ledge became more impressive than the last. Autumn’s rich tapestry of reds, oranges, yellows enveloped the mountains of the Ossipee Range around us, tumbling down to the striking blue waters of Lake Winnipesaukee.
In our opinion, the last of these broad, open ledges is the best and it’s easy to know when you’re there. Only the small, tree-covered summit cone is above you. It is a great spot for having lunch and a worthy destination in its own right. Indeed, if circumstances necessitated turning around here (or even on one of the lower ledges), the views are so good that it’ll still be a great day out.
Of course, if you want to reach Mt. Roberts’ actual summit (and check off a peak on the 52 With a View list), follow the trail as it weaves around the cone for about 15-20 more minutes. Eventually, you’ll run into a large cairn and a summit sign. There’s some views worth appreciating here, but the better, more expansive ones are from the ledges below. If you can make it—always a question if you’re hiking with children—consider charging back down to one of the higher ledges and enjoying your lunch with a view.
Whatever you decide, make sure you save this one for a nice fall day. The views alone make it worth it.
