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The Newbury Trail leads from near the shore of Lake Sunapee to near Lake Solitude on Sunapee Mountain. A 2003 relocation eliminated the steepest section but made the trail somewhat longer. Lack of parking makes this trail less desirable for large groups during the busy summer season. The trail has become part of the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Trail, and is marked with its trapeziodal white blazes in addition to earlier orange blazes.
Distance: Trailhead to Lake Solitude Trail, about 2.5 miles one-way
Elevation gain: About 1500 feet, nominal on return
Maps:
USGS Newport
Free map of Mount Sunapee State Park Hiking Trails available from Guest Services at base lodge
SRKG (Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway) Trail Guide Trail 1 map
(online version)
Location: Dartmouth - Lake Sunapee Region
NH 2003-2004 map M-4
DeLorme NHA&G 26-A3 - Newbury
Newbury is located on NH Route 103 at the S end of Lake Sunapee
Trailhead:
Lakeview Avenue in Newbury, elevation about 1150 feet
43.3211°N, 72.0410°W (WGS84)
Take exit 9 off I-89 and follow NH Route 103 about 13.6 miles to Newbury, then turn L (S) on Newbury Heights Road across from the Information Booth and caboose on NH Route 103 (about .2 miles W of its junction with NH Route 103-A). Take the second R onto Lakeview Ave, and look for sign and orange blazes on the R about .1 miles up. (It may be necessary to drop off hikers here and park closer to town.)
There is really little suitable parking on this narrow road, particularly in summer months. If you must leave a car nearby, check with the Information Booth, Post Office, or Town Office (.3 miles E on NH Route 103).
Far End: Lake Solitude Trail near Lake Solitude, elevation about 2600 feet
Owner: Mount Sunapee State Park and private
Maintainer: Cardigan Highlanders
Special regulations: No fires or camping
The Newbury Trail crosses a wet area and begins to ascend following orange blazes. At .5 miles, a side path leads R .2 miles to the Eagles Nest viewpoint over Lake Sunapee. The main trail becomes steeper and at about .9 miles turns R on a 2003 relocation and angles up to the Rim Trail at about 1.3 miles, avoiding the former steepest section past the ruins of a Dartmouth Outing Club ski hut.
The Newbury Trail turns L at the junction with the Rim Trail and immediately climbs a stone staircase. It continues to climb moderately, passing a viewpoint over the Newbury arm of Lake Sunapee, then wandering up and down along the ridge and passing R of the South Peak. At 2.5 miles it reaches Jack and June Junction, named for some longtime trail adopters, where it ends at the Lake Solitude Trail, which at this point carries the Monadnock Sunapee Greenway Trail. The Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Trail follows this trail straight ahead 1.1 miles to the summit. A L on the white-blazed trail soon reaches Lake Solitude and the junction with the Andrew Brook Trail, while the orange-blazed trail to the R leads downhill to the service road for the Sun Bowl area.
On the descent, take the trail opposite the one from the summit, or a R turn coming from Lake Solitude. This is the orange-blazed trail heading E along the ridge, not the one that drops off N to the service road.
There is less plowed parking in winter, but much less demand for it.
Map Notes: The USGS map shows this trail going closer to the South Peak than it does. It also does not show the 2003 relocation.
Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway online section map
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