Southern New Hampshire is a mecca for hikers, with terrain that is on par with other areas of the state. In recent years, I’ve seen and have been writing about a boom in land conservation efforts and trail building in this part of the state. While it’s exciting to see new trails popping up, it’s also still quite fun to explore the existing trails that have been around for years. One classic and underrated New Hampshire hike is Gap Mountain in Troy, and if you haven’t been, you should check it out.

The forests on the slopes of the mountain are a legacy of former pastures that once covered the entire peak.
Motonori Aoki/All Trails
Gap Mountain has three low summits and gets its name from the saddle, or "gap", between the south and middle summits.
Bob Foudriat/All Trails
Section 7 of the long-distance Metacomet-Monadnock Trail traverses Gap Mountain, allowing for approaches from the north and south.
Lisa Belanger/All Trails

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The centerpiece view from Gap Mountain is this close-up view of its larger neighbor, Mt. Monadnock.
Bob Foudriat/All Trails
Gap Mountain is known for its abundant blueberries. In late summer, bring your favorite bucket and plan to be up here for a while.
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Of course, the autumn season is a prime time to visit Gap Mountain, as the foliage will be at its most colorful.
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There’s really no wrong time to hike Gap Mountain; it’s an underrated New Hampshire hike in all seasons (note that parking is more difficult in winter). For more information and to download a trail map, visit the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, and also consult the AMC Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide.

You don’t have to hit one of New Hampshire’s famed 4,000-footers to get a summit view. There are plenty of other hikes in the state that offer a big bang for the buck, including the beautiful Silver Mountain in Lempster.

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Featured Addresses
Gap Mountain Trail North, 155, Bullard Rd, Jaffrey, NH 03452, USA
Gap Mountain Trail South, 265 Upper Gap Mountain Rd, Troy, NH 03465, USA