Zealand Trail
On the way up Mount Bond, West Bond, Mount Zealand · New Hampshire
Zealand Trail is a trail in the Pemigewasset Wilderness and the Willey Range, climbing about 450 ft from Zealand Trailhead to the Ethan Pond Trail and Twinway junction.
Map length
2.4 mi
Climb from the low end
459 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
1 h 27 min / 1 h 14 min
High point
2,464 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
380 ft/mi
Stream crossings
5 (1 ford)
Low point
2,022 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
HikerNerd routes on this trail
Zealand Trail
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Zealand Trailhead (the lower end) to Ethan Pond Trail and Twinway junction.
- 0.0Zealand Trailhead
- 1.4Bridge over Zealand River
- 1.4Crosses a stream
- 1.6Bridge over Zealand River
- 1.6Fords a stream
- 2.2Junction with A-Z Trail
- 2.2Bridge over a stream
- 2.3Zealand Pond
- 2.4Junction with Ethan Pond Trail and Twinway
Distances and book times (map miles)
To A-Z Trail junction
2.22 mi (total 2.22) · ↑450 ↓16 ft · 1 h 20 min / 1 h 7 min
To Ethan Pond Trail and Twinway junction
0.22 mi (total 2.44) · ↑8 ↓6 ft · 7 min / 7 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zealand Trailhead | A-Z Trail junction | 2.22 | 2.22 | 450 / 16 ft | 1 h 20 min / 1 h 7 min |
| A-Z Trail junction | Ethan Pond Trail and Twinway junction | 0.22 | 2.44 | 8 / 6 ft | 7 min / 7 min |
↑ walking from Zealand Trailhead; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Zealand Trailhead
Off Zealand Road · Parking fee · Winter: gated
Fall weekends: Full in both reports.
Fall weekdays: Had space in both reports.
Latest report, Sat, Oct 3: Overflowing.
Summit conditions
3 incidents recorded on this trail: incident database
Recent trip reports
4 reports on this trail in the last 30 days: snow or ice in 0, microspikes recommended in 0, mud in 4. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Sat, Oct 3MudWetDry
Water crossings: Low water on the crossing just beyond Zealand Hut.
Full report on NETC - Wed, Sep 30MudWetDry
Water crossings: No issues
Full report on NETC - Wed, Sep 30MudWet
Water crossings: Lots of small brook crossings; all easy.
Full report on NETC - Wed, Sep 16MudWetDry
Water crossings: No issues with water crossings
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. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.