2,532 ft | Sandwich Range | 0 routes
Feels like 72°F
~3.8°F drop per 1,000ft
Best Hiking Window
Friday offers the best conditions of the next 48 hours — dry, calm, and mild. Saturday carries a 50% chance of rain with lower temperatures, making it a noticeably less favorable day. If hiking Saturday, plan an early morning start to maximize any dry window before precipitation arrives.
Trail: UNH Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“No snow or ice at this low elevation. The ground was unusually dry for this time of year. Some of the rock ledges in the evergreen forest were still wet from yesterday's rain. Many roots on the trail. The exposed ledges were mostly dry. No obstructions on the trail. I prefer hiking the loop in the clockwise direction in order to ascend the steep ledge sections. I stopped off at Allen Ledge on the descent (signed for short spur path). Good views from East Ledge, the summit, and a west outlook just steps away from the summit. Nice talking with hikers from the Cape Cod, Brookline MA, and Durham NH.”
Trail: Downes Brook Trail, Mt. Potash Trail, UNH Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery
“The trails are in great condition, minor areas of mud that are easily avoidable. Great weather and incredible views.”
Trail: UNH Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Leaves - Significant/Slippery
“Clear and significantly dry trail considering all of the rain Sunday. Trail was in great shape and easy going. Didn't see anyone all day. Had the East Ledges and Summit to myself. Some snow squalls blew through in the afternoon along with the sunshine. Higher elevations saw more snow, but just barely a dusting at the lower elevations. Fun, moderate hike.”
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth, Mt. Washington Avalanche Center, USGS Stream Levels, OpenWeather Air Quality.
AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
No routes available for this peak.
Rising from the heart of the Sandwich Range in central New Hampshire, this 2,532-foot summit offers a rewarding moderate hike with scenery that punches well above its elevation. The UNH Trail is the primary route, forming a loop that winds through pleasant hardwood and mixed forest before delivering hikers to open ledges near the summit. These exposed rocky outcrops provide sweeping views of the surrounding Sandwich Range peaks, including Mount Chocorua and the Ossipee Mountains, making the modest elevation feel particularly well-rewarded. The open ledges offer a taste of above-treeline exposure without requiring a strenuous alpine climb. As a member of the 52 With A View peak list, this summit earns its place through those satisfying panoramic perspectives. The loop trail format adds variety to the experience, making it a popular and accessible destination for hikers seeking a half-day adventure in the Lakes Region foothills.
Elevation
2,532 ft
Range
Sandwich Range
Difficulty
Moderate
Coordinates
43.9742, -71.3672
Been to Hedgehog Mountain?
Be the first to share your experience!
1 incident on file · drawn from NH Fish and Game releases and regional reporting
39-year-old female from Chelmsford, MA
On October 18, 2025, Jennifer Schanke, 39, sustained an ankle injury on the UNH Trail on Hedgehog Mountain and was unable to walk. Her companion hiked out to find cell service and called 911. Fish and Game Conservation Officers and Lakes Region Search and Rescue carried Schanke out to the trailhead by 5:30 p.m.