Pumpelly Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife

The Pumpelly trail is the longest and generally most gradual route up Mount Monadnock. It features excellent views of the surrounding area. Don't be fooled by the gradual incline though, this trail has two miles of generally rough terrain where you are climbing on and over rocks and other rough terrain.

Parking for this trail is along the side of Lake Road which is just off 101.

You'll find that the first 1.75 miles of this trail are mostly flat and easy with a gradual incline. It's a generally well maintained and easy to follow trail but note there are no trail markers.

Just before you reach about 1.75 miles from the trailhead you begin to ascent a set of man made stone steps. These steps signal the start of a very steep half mile or so of trail over which you'll gain about 600ft of elevation. During the right season this steep section may become muddy or wet.

After about 2.3 miles from the trailhead you'll start to get more and more frequent viewpoints. Most behind you but they will be in all directions and more and more expansive as you gain elevation. You'll also start climbing on and over more rocks, this is where the trail can get somewhat rough and tiring.

At 2.75 miles from the trailhead you'll reach a fork that either takes you toward the Monadnock State Park HQ or continues toward the summit. Continue to the summit for more and more viewpoints. A 3.4 miles you'll reach another fork for either the Spellman trail or continuing on the Pumpelly trail to the summit.

The last 0.75 miles or so to summit is basically all out in the open following large cairns with excellent views the entire time. At 3.75 you'll reach a fork with the Redspot trail, continue straight to summit. Gets a bit more steep the last quarter mile to the summit but you've already made it this far!

The summit of Monadnock is completely open and generally very windy and much colder relative to the trailhead. Plan accordingly!