North Twin Trail
To North Twin Mountain · New Hampshire
North Twin Trail is a trail on and around Franconia Ridge, climbing about 2,950 ft from North Twin Trailhead (Haystack Road) to North Twin Mountain. Part of it is above treeline.
Map length
4.1 mi
Climb from the low end
2,926 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
3 h 29 min / 2 h 2 min
High point
4,749 ft
Above treeline
0.4 mi
Steepest ¼ mile
2,048 ft/mi
Stream crossings
6
Low point
1,843 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer. The mapped trail stops just short of the summit of North Twin Mountain; these figures end there.
HikerNerd routes on this trail
North Twin Trail Above treeline
Mile by mile (map miles)
From North Twin Trailhead (Haystack Road) (the lower end) to North Twin Mountain.
- 0.0North Twin Trailhead (Haystack Road)
- 0.3Crosses a stream
- 0.8Crosses Little River
- 1.3Crosses Little River
- 1.9Crosses Little River
- 2.0Crosses a stream
- 2.6Crosses a stream
- 3.6Leaves the trees: exposed above treeline
- 4.1North Twin Mountain
- 4.1Junction with North Twin Spur
Trailheads and parking
North Twin Trailhead (Haystack Road)
Off Haystack Road · Winter: gated
Fall weekends: Full in all 3 reports, as early as 7 am.
Fall weekdays: Had space in both reports, as late as 7:45 am.
Latest report, Thu, Oct 1: Plenty of room, then filling up.
All parking reports for North Twin Trailhead (Haystack Road)
Summit conditions
Recent trip reports
3 reports on this trail in the last 30 days: snow or ice in 0, microspikes recommended in 0, mud in 3. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Thu, Oct 1MudWetDry
Water crossings: No issues
Full report on NETC - Thu, Oct 1MudWetDry
Water crossings: Luke brought old trail runners to switch into for the crossing and I used my waterproof boot covers. If you have longer legs you can probably rock hop. We don't and agreed that we will not leap onto wet rocks. We were happy to wade.
Full report on NETC - Sat, Sep 19MudWetDry
Water crossings: Low levels made for easy rock hopping
Full report on NETC - Sun, Sep 6WetDry
Water crossings: No specific water crossings were challenging, but much of Lend-a-Hand and some of Zealand could be considered on long water crossing that requires thinking through foot placement.
Full report on NETC - Sun, Sep 6MudWetDry
Water crossings: Streams were flowing but manageable on Zealand Trail, Little River on North Twin Trail was rock hoppable. Water has come a bit with the rain recently but crossed without too many questionable steps.
Full report on NETC
Connecting trails
What to bring
From the summit forecast, Sat to MonPaid links. Backcountry.com pays me if you buy. Prices are Backcountry's, checked twice a day.
63 mph
Summit gusts
Plan a below-treeline hike
Daytime gusts near 63 mph above treeline. Pick a sheltered route or another day.
28°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 28°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
11h 13m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 6:08 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
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Above-treeline areas from canopy height by Meta and WRI (CC BY 4.0). Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.