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The Moosilauke Carriage Road was once traveled by the elegant guests of the summer hotel on the summit of Mount Moosilauke, but both the hotel and the DOC cabin are long gone and the road is now a hiking trail. The upper section is a link in the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia.
Mount Moosilauke is the highest peak reached by northbound Appalachian Trail hikers since Virginia, and a large bare summit is an irresistable attraction to day hikers. Expect lots of company on the summit if not before.
Distance: To Mt Moosilauke summit, about 5.0 miles one-way
Elevation gain: About 3100 feet on the ascent, nominal on descent
Maps:
USGS Mount Kineo, Mount Moosilauke
AMC Moosilauke-Kinsman
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map I-5
DeLorme NHA&G 43-J/K8 - Woodstock/Benton
The trail is located W of I-93 exit 32
Trailhead: Gate at end of Breezy Point Road about 1.6 miles off NH Route 118, elevation about 1740 feet
43.9664°N, 71.8325°W (WGS84)
Take I-93 Exit 26 at Plymouth and go W on NH Route 25 about 20.2 miles to NH Route 118 just beyond Warren. Go R on NH Route 118 about 2.6 miles to Breezy Point Road/Moosilauke Carriage Road (here usable by cars), turn L and go about 1.6 miles to gate
Far End: Summit of Mt. Moosilauke, elevation about 4802 feet
Owner: White Mountain National Forest and Dartmouth College
Maintainer: Dartmouth Outing Club
Special regulations: No fires or camping on upper portion
Continue through the gate and across a bridge, then begin a gradual climb. At 1.3 miles, the Hurricane Trail leaves L to near the foot of the Glencliff Trail offering a potential loop to the W, then at 1.6 miles the Hurricane Trail leaves R for the Gorge Brook Trail near Ravine Lodge, offering a potential loop to the E. The Moosilauke Carriage Road now becomes steeper and eventually begins to switchback, with the relocated Snapper Trail leaving R at 2.9 miles (about .2 miles below its former junction point) for the Gorge Brook Trail above Ravine Lodge. At 3.9 miles, there are signs forbidding vehicles or snowmobiles and a turnaround loop.
The Glencliff Trail enters L at 4.0 miles, and a few steps down it is a spur path which leads to the South Peak of Mount Moosilauke, about .2 miles with 100 feet of ascent. The gradient of the Carriage Road eases off and it passes through some small clumps of scrub before coming out in the open and ascending to the summit of Mount Moosilauke. Here there are the foundations of an old hotel, some memorial plaques, and signs for the three trails that lead down; besides the Moosilauke Carriage Road these are the Benton Trail to the N (connecting to the Beaver Brook Trail and the Ridge Trail), and the Gorge Brook Trail to the E descending to the Ravine Lodge. There are also many former trails and herd paths, so be careful to follow the correct route down.
Breezy Point Road may be plowed only to last house 1.3 miles from NH Route 118, with limited parking.
This trail is frequently used by skiers when conditions are favorable, and the lower part may be used by snowmobiles.
Map Notes: The USGS map shows the old route of the Snapper, Gorge Brook, and Beaver Brook Trails rather than the relocations.
Moosilauke Carriage Road
Moosilauke summit from Carriage Road
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