Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
A fantastic alternative to the popular Mount Major hike, Straightback Mountain offers a slightly longer hike with several trail options. We’ve hiked this mountain in both the summer and winter (although I only have winter photos). From the summit you have some great views and you can also include a visit to a waterfall.
Below you’ll finding details on this hike in the Belnaps as well as information on parking. Looking for more about exploring New Hamshire? Check out our New England Guides or you can follow our Uncover New England newsletter.
Quick Look at Straightback Mountain
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,300
Difficulty: Challenging
There are several routes to access the summit of Straightback Mountain. For this hike, we did it as a loop going up to the summit of Straightback on the Blueberry Pasture Trail and the Main Trail. From here you can loop back to the parking lot in many ways. The easiest way is to add on Mount Anna and go on the Anna–Goat Trail (Red Trail).
We chose to hike down the Precipice Trail although I don’t recommend this in the winter. There is a waterfall and fun rock scrambles, but it’s slightly exposed with some scrambling that isn’t ideal in the ice.
Map of the Straightback Mountain Loop Trail
Parking for the Straightback Mountain Loop
The best place to park is on Alton Mountain Road. There is a fairly large parking lot with a map but no bathrooms or facilities. We did this trail counterclockwise starting right behind the sign. You will pass a small art installation.
Trail Descriptions
Blueberry Pasture Trail: this trail start in the parking lot and is flat and gradual for the first section before ascending steeply to the ridge of Straightback.
Main Trail: Going across the top of Straightback Mountain the Maine Trail is a fun route and there are some good views and generally easy walking. There is a sign at the summit and then the trail continues on to Mount Anna (or intersects with the Precipice Trail.
The Precipice Path is a challenging 2.5-mile trail that explores the southwest side of Straightback Mountain through varied terrain. It descends along a cascading stream, passes a waterfall, crosses a long cliff top with expansive views, and travels through several forest types. The route includes steep sections, talus scrambling, brook crossings that can be difficult in high water, and exposed cliff areas up to 90 feet high where careful footing is required. After leaving the cliffs, the trail winds through forest and connects with the trail between Mount Anna and Straightback Mountain, allowing hikers to continue to either peak.
The Red Trail – this trail is much easier than the Precipice Trail and is more like a road than a trail. This is the most straightforward trail to take to complete the route.
Things to Know about Hiking Straightback Mountain
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on the trail but must be leashed,
Kids: this is a good trail for kids with rewarding views. Avoid the Precipice Trail with young kids.
