When it comes to hiking in New Hampshire, the White Mountains and their high summits tend to get all the glory. But let's not forget about our little hills down here in southern New Hampshire! There are plenty of 'em and it's been my honor to get to just about every nook and cranny in this part of the state as the editor of the AMC Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide. Bog Mountain in Wilmot is one hike that offers a big reward for little effort and can be reached by an easy New Hampshire hiking trail.
Bog Mountain Trail traverses, what else, Bog Mountain in Wilmot, a low mountain named for a marshy area at its southern base. It's a 4.4-mile section of the long-distance Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway.
On a sunny but chilly December day in 2023, I set out to walk the entire trail over the mountain and then back again.
In typical New Hampshire fashion, the trail gets pretty rough in places. It ain't New Hampshire if there aren't rocks!
This was a good time of year to visit, as there were clearer views of the surrounding landscape along the trail due to the lack of leaves on the trees.
The partly open summit ledges on Bog Mountain provide good views to the northwest, southwest, and south.
I also popped down to a southeasterly viewpoint which can be reached by an informal side path.
The western section of Bog Mountain Trail provides a good look at its neighbor, Mt. Kearsarge, which rises about 2,000 feet above the surrounding landscape.
Bog Mountain Trail is one New Hampshire hiking trail where it's advantageous to do a car spot (put a vehicle at both ends) so you can hike the entire trail over the mountain. For more information on the trail and how to access it, and to download a trail map, visit the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway website. Also, refer to the AMC Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide for a description of the trail. You can never be too prepared!
Also, check out these ten short and easy hikes that are all under five miles!
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-hampshire/hikes-under-5-miles-nh/
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