Piper Trail
Piper Trail (USFS)
The Piper Trail is a very popular trail that offers maximum walking on open ledges to the summit of Mount Chocorua.
History: The Piper Trail was first blazed by Joshua Piper in the 1860s. It started from the gateway opposite Wing’s Tavern.
Maintenance: The Piper Trail is maintained by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Directions to the trailhead: The trailhead is off Route 16 behind Davies’s General Store, 3.5 miles north of Chocorua Lake Road.
Trail distances & estimated hiking times from the parking area off Route. 16 (780'):
to Nickerson Ledge Trail (1320'): 1.2 mi., 550 ft, 55 min.
to Chocorua River Crossing (1540'): 1.8 mi., 750 ft, 1 hr., 20 min.
to Camp Penacook Spur Trail (2500'): 2.8 mi., 1700 ft, 2 hr. 15 min.
to Champney Falls Trail (3200'): 3.6 mi., 2400 ft, 3 hr.
to Mount Chocorua summit (3490'): 4.3 mi., 2700 ft, 3 hr. 30 minutes
Trail details: The trail starts on a gradual grade following an old logging road. The Weetamoo Trail turns off to the left at .08 miles and the Nickerson Ledge Trail turns off to the right at 1.4 miles. The Piper Trail ascends moderately past a cleared outlook to Carter Ledge. It then becomes steeper and changes into a series of switchbacks, stone steps and paving. The Camp Penacook Spur Trail at 3.1 miles branches off to the left and ascends .2 miles to the shelter. Open ledges are soon discovered giving great views to the north, east and south. The Champney Brook Trail comes in on your right at 3.9 miles and .2 miles further, the West Side Trail comes in on your right. The Piper Trail continues following yellow blazes over open ledges to the summit.