State: New Hampshire
Location: White Mountains National Forest
Length, One-Way: 3.8 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 1260 feet
Maximum Elevation: 3180 feet
Elevation Change: 2000 feet
Best Season: May to September
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Heavy
Parking: White Mountains National Forest Fee Site.
Part of Champney Falls, viewed from the trail
Trail Information
The Champney Falls Trail leads from the Kancamagus Highway past the scenic Champney Falls to the north ridge of Mount Chocorua. It is one of the most popular routes up the mountain because the trailhead is easy to find, the grade is relatively uniform and it is the highest starting point. Unfortunately the hordes of hikers have left a rocky and eroded footway.
The Champney Falls Trail leaves the east end of the parking lot and quickly crosses Twin Brook and passes an intersection with the Bolles Trail. The trail follows old logging road, so the path is wide with an easy grade. The trail soon reaches Champney Brook and follows the near bank. The trail makes a sharp right turn and climbs to a small ridge along which it runs parallel to the brook before descending to near the brook again. From here the trail gradually angles away from the brook. After 1.4 miles, you can take the small loop trail to views of Pitcher Falls and Champney Falls. The loop reenters the main path at 1.7 miles.
Approaching the pass between the Three Sisters and Mount Chocorua the trail begins to switchback. The Champney Falls Cutoff branches to the left at the end of one switchback at 3.0 miles for a shortcut to Middle Sister. As the Champney Falls Trail levels off, the Middle Sister Trail branches to the left and heads for the Three Sisters. After a slight descent of 100 yards, the Champney Falls Trail ends at the Piper Trail at 3.2 miles. You can follow the Piper Trail to the right to ascend to Mount Chocorua in 0.6 miles.
Note:Anyone climbing Mount Chocorua must do some rock scrambling at the top. This is a peak to avoid in bad weather.
Directions
SPAN=contenthead3]From Conway, NH:[ENDSPAN]
Drive 10.9 miles west on Kancamagus Highway (New Hampshire Route 112) to a parking area on the left. Trail begins here. The parking lot is plowed in winter.
From Interstate 93:
Take Exit 32 at Lincoln and go east on Kancamagus Highway (New Hampshire Route 112) about 25.6 miles to a sign and parking area on the right. The parking lot is plowed in winter.
