The Sunapee area is in the Lakes Region of Central New Hampshire and a popular spot for vacationers in the summer, leaf peepers during fall foliage, and skiers in the winter. But my son and I chose Mount Sunapee for our second hike this year in preparation for our Mount Washington ascent later in the season.

Many hikers choose to climb this 2,743-foot peak using the Summit Trail that runs from the ski base lodge parking area to the peak.

Though it is the most direct and does provides wonderful views of the surrounding region and Lake Sunapee itself we elected to take, in my view, a more interesting and scenic route to the summit, albeit longer in duration.

The Andrew Brook Trail has an elevation gain of 1,600-feet and includes a trip to a mountain lake and white ledge cliffs on its way to the summit of Mount Sunapee. This isn’t a difficult climb and at a round trip of 6-miles should take you around 4-hours with some stops for views and snacks.

Finding the head of the trail is one of the more challenging aspects of this hike. I’ve read two different directions for this hike - one in a book - and they’re both wrong. Approach Newbury on NH 103 and after 7.1-mile from the junction with Route 114 turn left on to Mountain Road. You’ll see an entrance to the Lake Solitude Trail on your right shortly after turning - but ignore it, and after exactly 1.1-miles on the right hand side will be an oversized gravel shoulder where you can park. The area is just before a small bridge and the trail starts at the end of the gravel area with a clear opening into the woods and is indicated just inside with a sign validating this is the Andrew Brook Trail.

The trail is fairly clear all the way to the summit but the colored blaze signs they use is all types and confusing. The trip to Lake Solitude climbs steadily with mostly a closed canopy and northern hardwood forest so there’s not a lot of interesting plant life. You’ll cross Andrew Brook a few times and along with the wooded paths makes the hike along this section the most interesting.

At the outset you’ll find a few Orange Blaze markings for the trail but they’ll soon turn to a Blue Blaze and you should follow this trail to the lake. The trail is easy to spot so you’re unlikely to go off it.

After about 1.9-miles you’ll reach Lake Solitude and it makes for a pleasant stop to enjoy the view and take a snack. This mountain pond is surrounded by spruce and fir and overlooked on the west by the cliffs of White Ledge - your next step.

There are trails leading around the pond if you wish to explore, or you can just sit on a fallen log and listen to the frogs and other animal life on the edge of the lake.

When you’ve had you fill of lake sounds and views, continue along the trail following the Blue Blazes until you reach an intersection where the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Trail meets the trail you’re on. You’ll want to turn right and away onto the trail marked as Sunapee Summit. This trail will lead you to the Jack and June Junction which has markings I found confusing - maybe somebody switched things around, just keep going straight. Just passed the junction you’ll turn left at a large boulder with a White Blaze and this will lead you up to the top of the White Ledges.

The trail to the ledges is marked with both White and Orange Blazes and is easy to spot and after climbing for about 15 minutes you’ll come to the cliff top, and a short side excursion from the trail for 50 yards (easy to spot) will take you to the top of White Ledges and staggering views overlooking Lake Solitude and the surrounding Sunapee region.

The day we hiked it was a little cloudy but the views were still stunning - well worth the hike.

To continue the hike walk back along the tops of the ledge to the trail and there are orange markings on the rocks pointing towards the trail to the summit. From this point the distance to the peak is about 1-mile.

The trail to the summit continues to be marked with White and Orange Blazes but again it is a well-worn path and easy to spot and difficult to go wrong.

The trail traverses a bumpy ridge and for awhile you descend in the woods before making the final ascent towards the summit.

You’ll go through some peek-a-boo woods and paths until you finally come clear and reach a ski service road at 2.8-miles. Turn left onto the gravel road which will take you to the summit lodge area. As you walk up the steep road look to the right for the best views of Lake Sunapee.

The summit lodge is 3-miles from your car.

The lodge was not open in July but I suspect it will be during the fall as this area sees a lot of leaf peepers. We ate our lunch outside the lodge, took in the views of the valley below and then went back on the trail we came up.

My son agreed this was a satisfying hike and compared with our Mount Tom, Massachusetts hike, he felt really out in the woods and mountains. I think the fact that on Mount Tom we could hear people mowing their lawns in the houses below spoiled the feeling of nature and isolation for him.

Our hike to Mount Sunapee was a chance to experience New England back country and get away from the busy and tight-scheduled life most of us lead during the week.

Stay tuned for the next hike in our Mt. Washington preparation series - Mount Greylock in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. And for more suggestions and ideas in the Lakes Region area check out the New Hampshire Lakes Region page by clicking here.

Another post on a destination in New England is coming soon so check back in a few days or subscribe to the RSS feed here and save time by getting automatic notification.

Cliff Calderwood
Editor
New England Travel Online Magazine

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