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The Beautiful 2.2 Mile Hike to Table Rock Maine in Grafton Notch State Park

Hanging over Grafton Notch State Park with incredible views of the valley, Old Speck Mountain, and the Eyebrow – the Table Rock Maine Trail is a perfect hike for everyone. Hike it as a difficult loop, or stick to the Appalachian Trail for an easier out and back hike. Table Rock is an excellent hike to catch the fall colors, or hike it on a summer morning and spend the afternoon at a nearby swimming hole (this is what we did).

Finley, Freja and I hiked this route with my mother during a camping trip in Grafton Notch in the summer of 2022.

Looking for more great hikes? Check out Great Hikes in New Hampshire.

Table Rock Maine: Viewpoint from Table Rock to Old Speck Mountain
Table Rock Maine: Viewpoint from Table Rock to Old Speck Mountain

Quick Look at the Table Rock Maine Hike

Overview when hiked as a loop
Distance: 2.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Difficult: Difficult (Steep)

There are 2 trails that lead to Table Rock, a beautiful viewpoint on Bald Pate Mountain. Both trails start and end on Route 26, making this an easy trail to hike as a loop. If you are hiking the Table Rock Loop Trail, the best way to approach the viewpoint is by taking a counterclockwise route. By hiking this way, you can go up the very steep Table Rock Trail with large boulders (orange blazes) and down the easier Appalacian trail (blue/white blazes).

If you don’t feel up for the steep section, you can also hike the Table Rock Trail as an out and back by staying on the blue/white-blazed trail. This is a great choice if you are hiking with dogs or young children, although older kids will enjoy the boulders on the steep trail up to the Table Rock. The trail is well marked and easy to follow and offers several viewing areas in addition to the top (especially on the orange-blazed trail).

Another excellent place to explore is the cave system off the backside of Table Rock. Use caution as there are some steep dropoffs here.

Things to Know About Hiking to Table Rock Grafton Notch

Best Time of Year to Hike Table Rock Maine

You can hike in Grafton Notch State Park all year round, but the best time to hike to Table Rock is June-Oct. If you are hiking in the winter, make sure to bring microspikes and consider hiking the trail as an out and back on the Appalachian Trail to avoid the boulder area.

Visiting Grafton Notch State Park

There are several other amazing hikes and waterfalls in Grafton Notch State Park. This small state park is an easy place to visit for a day, or spend a night camping and exploring the area. You can see up-to-date information on the Maine State Parks site.

Is there a fee at Grafton Notch State Park?

There is a small $4.00 fee for doing activities in Grafton Notch State Park. You can pay the fee right in at the parking lot with cash or check. There is no way to pay via credit card at the parking lot to Table Rock Maine.

Hiking Table Rock Grafton Notch with Kids or Dogs

Table Rock is a great hike with either kids or dogs. If you are hiking with young kids, you should stay on the Appalacian Trail and treat the hike as an out and back. The hike up the Table Rock Trail is steep with boulders and is difficult. Older kids will enjoy the boulder climbing, but this may be difficult for younger kids and dogs.

Grafton Notch State Park Map with the Table Rock Hiking Trail

Map of Hiking Trails in Grafton Notch State Park

Details of Hiking the Table Rock Trail Maine

Start the Table Rock Hike in the parking lot for Table Rock, Old Speck and the Eyebrow Trails. From the parking lot, follow the trail across the street to the start of the hike. After a very short walk, the trail splits and you will need to decide whether to take the Steep Table Rock Trail on the right or the Appalacian Trail on your left. Take a right if you are doing the loop or the left if you want an easier hike. The rest of the description below describes the loop trail.

Hiking to Table Rock Maine: Take the right trail for the loop or the left for the easier walk

The trail to Table Rock continues flat for the first 0.3 miles. From here it ascends sharply, gaining about 900 feet of elevation quickly. The trail in this section is steep and the further up you hike, the larger the boulders. You will find several view point options, but be aware of the steep drop offs. As you near the top of this section, you will see a ‘shark fin’ on the rock above and the trail descends slightly after several rungs in the rocks.

Table Rock Maine: Freja hiking up the Table Rock Trail
Hiking up to Table Rock Maine: Freja navigating some of the boulders
Table Rock Maine: Finley Hiking up the boulder section near the top

After a small descent, the trail loops around the back of the ridge and ascends quickly to the top of Table Rock. You will pass through an area with a series of large rocks and boulder caves. This area is incredibly fun and it’s worth taking some time to explore this area.

From here, there are amazing views on 3 directions. Look across to Old Speck or south down the valley. We spent 30 minutes enjoying some snacks at the top. Be aware if you have young kids or dogs that there are drop offs on 3 sides of Table Rock, but the overlook is quite large.

The View from Table Rock with Old Speck in the Background
Finley and Freja enjoying the View from Table Rock with Old Speck in the Background

From Table Rock, continue down the blue blaze trail to the white-blazed Appalacian Trail. You will need to turn left onto the trail to continue to the parking lot. This trail is relatively easy with some small streams and easy walking. The trail will lead you directly back to the parking lot making a nice loop.

Table Rock Maine: Hiking out on the Appalacian Trail

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