One Of The Most Hiked Mountains In The World Is An Iconic New Hampshire Peak With Unmatched Views

If you're looking for the perfect New Hampshire mountain hike, then you can't go wrong with a trip to the gorgeous Mount Monadnock. This incredible peak is located in Monadnock State Park, which is open every day for hikers to come and explore its challenging trails, hidden caves, and breathtaking views. The mountain's name is believed to originate from the Abenaki language and means something close to "the mountain that stands alone." Nowadays, this peak is far from alone. According to Trail Finder, more than 100,000 people climb Mount Monadnock each year.

This mountain is considered one of the most popular hikes in the world, but it is not one to be taken lightly. There are plenty of outdoor adventures hidden in New Hampshire's White Mountains, many of which are taller than Mount Monadnock — but this is no small mountain. In fact, Monadnock is over 3,000 feet tall. So, whether you choose to spot beavers and otters swimming in Gilson Pond along the Pond Campground Loop trail or challenge yourself with a trek to the summit to gaze at the mountainous landscape stretched out below, there are over 30 miles of trails to explore.

While the trails up Mount Monadnock aren't easy enough that you would want to choose them for your first solo hike, they aren't the type reserved only for experienced hikers, either. The most popular routes up the mountain may be the White Dot or the White Cross trails. Although this loop is less than four miles, be prepared: it's not an easy trek. There is over 1,770 feet of elevation gain that occurs within a relatively short distance, and you will need to scramble upward at times. In the winter, ice and snow make this journey even tougher, and wind can be a challenge all year long.

If you want a quieter and somewhat easier trip that still offers stunning views, consider the Bald Rock and Monadnock Mountain Loop. This six-and-a-half-mile-long hike is one that you should expect to spend at least a few hours on. Just as with the White Dot and White Cross trails, you will still need to do some scrambling at times here. However, if you are looking for a more solitary experience in nature, you have a much better shot at finding it here than on the more popular hikes up and around the mountain.

Despite the large number of people who flock to this New Hampshire state park every year to explore the mountain, there are a wide variety of experiences to be had. Indeed, there is still plenty of opportunity to find quiet spots, sheltered from the influx of daily visitors hoping to appreciate the incredible views. Off the beaten path, you may discover some of the caves hidden in the mountain slopes. While you won't find anything like the impressive Mammoth Cave's seemingly endless caverns here at Mount Monadnock, these little rocky shelters are favorite destinations for hikers.

One of the most exciting "caves" to search for isn't actually a natural feature at all. Instead, it's a shelter known as Megalithia or Pumpelly Cave (as pictured above), not far from the top of the mountain. Since many people can be very secretive about this man-made cave, you will have to hunt for it yourself if you want to uncover its location. While its interior is not particularly striking when compared to the remarkable natural beauty surrounding it, the allure of finding something hidden is a powerful draw that keeps adventurous hikers coming back for more until they can locate it for themselves.