1,786 ft | Belknap | 1 route
As of October 16, 2026
Trail conditions on Mount Major are currently rated Moderate. At 8:40 PM ET it was 57°F at the summit (1,786 ft), feeling like 51°F, with WSW winds at 14 mph. The listed route, Belknap Traverse, is 19.4 miles point to point with 5,295 ft of elevation gain, taking about 9-15 hours. See the hour-by-hour Mount Major weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
Brook Trail/Belknap Range Trail (blue and yellow) (0.4 mi) · Boulder Loop Trail (orange) (1.5 mi) · Mount Major Trail (blue)
Feels like 51°F
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Mount Major is fully below treeline, so the main concerns are wet, slippery footing from recent rain, short October daylight, and a cold, windy Saturday. Sunday is the better day, with clear skies and light precipitation risk. Early starts are recommended so you finish well before dark.
The trailhead and summit are very close in elevation (about 2,000 ft vs 1,786 ft per the profile), so conditions are similar throughout, with only a small drop in temperature and slightly less wind at the top. Dress in layers you can shed while climbing, and add a windproof layer for the breezy, open summit ledges.
Best Hiking Window
Sunday late morning through early afternoon, when skies are clear, precipitation chance is near zero, and temperatures are warmest. Saturday is workable but colder and windier, so aim for a midday window and finish well before sunset.
Last synthesized Oct 16, 8:40 PM ET
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Trailblazer adds the full 7-day summit forecast, the best day to go for every peak, and conditions for each route up.
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29°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 29°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
10h 52m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 5:56 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth.
Rising above the eastern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee in the Belknap Range, this popular 1,786-foot summit offers one of the most rewarding payoffs for the effort required in New Hampshire hiking. The relatively short trail gains elevation steadily through mixed forest before opening onto expansive, rocky open ledges near the summit — a surprisingly dramatic above-treeline feel for such a modest peak. From the top, panoramic views stretch across Lake Winnipesaukee's island-dotted waters, with the White Mountains visible to the north on clear days. The scenery makes this one of the most scenic low-elevation hikes in the state. As part of the Belknap 12 peak list, it draws both casual hikers and peak baggers exploring the range. Its accessibility and stunning lakeside vistas make it a standout destination, particularly appealing to families and those newer to hiking.
Elevation
1,786 ft
Range
Belknap
Difficulty
Easy
Coordinates
43.5135, -71.2873
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
6 incidents on file · 1 fatal · drawn from NH Fish and Game releases and regional reporting
23-year-old male from Furguson, Missouri, hiking with his wife
On March 27, 2026, Garrett Majobian, 23, slipped on ice near the summit of Mt. Major and sustained a debilitating shoulder injury. His wife called 911 and rescuers from Fish and Game, Gilford and Alton Fire Departments, and LRSAR responded. Garrett was assisted to a UTV and transported to the trailhead, then taken to a hospital by ambulance.
31-year-old male from Centreville, VA
Muhammad Naizi, age 31, fell and slipped while descending the Blue Trail on Mt. Major, injuring his back and rendering him unable to walk. He called 911 for assistance and nearby hikers helped move him a short distance before rescue personnel arrived. He was transported by rescue side-by-side vehicle to the trailhead parking area.
56-year-old male from Dover, NH
Vaughn Roy, 56, was descending the Boulder Loop Trail on Mt. Major when his headlamp stopped working. He attempted to use his cell phone flashlight but called 911 when his battery reached 4%. Conservation Officers and Lakes Region Search and Rescue hiked approximately 2.5 miles to his location, provided a headlamp, and escorted him out by 10:45 p.m.
70-year-old male hiker from Dover, NH
On November 16, 2023, Larry Frizzell, 70, suffered a medical emergency on the Boulder Trail near Mt. Major approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead. He was hiking with his nephew, who called 911. Rescuers placed him in a litter and transported him via UTV to the trailhead.
21-year-old woman from Bedford, NH
On January 6, 2013, Shannon Koechel, a 21-year-old woman, slipped and fell while hiking the Boulder Loop Trail on Mt. Major in Alton, NH, injuring her leg. She and her hiking companion called 911, and Alton Fire Department personnel and NH Fish and Game Conservation Officers carried her down to the parking lot by approximately 4:30 p.m. The hikers were well prepared with extra clothing, a headlamp, first aid equipment, and food and water.
54-year-old male from Enon, Ohio
Rodney Jones, 54, of Enon, Ohio, collapsed approximately one mile up the Orange Trail on Mount Major on September 6, 2010, from an apparent heart attack while hiking with his wife. Nearby hikers initiated CPR and 911 was called at 2:35 p.m. Rescue efforts were unsuccessful and Jones was pronounced dead at 3:31 p.m.