Mount Hale: A Quick and Steep New Hampshire 4,000-Footer
- Stephen Warner
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 3
Every so often, you finish a hike with no views, sore legs, and a nagging thought: Why did I just do that? This feeling tends to creep in more often when you're chasing a list—like the New Hampshire 4,000 footers. But fortunately, what Mount Hale lacks in scenery, it makes up for in brevity. If you're looking to tick off another peak and squeeze in a solid leg workout, Hale is a worthy detour.
Trail Info
Trailhead Name | Hale Brook Trail |
Distance | 4.4 miles / 7.1 km (out and back) |
Estimated time | 2-3 hours |
Elevation gain | 2,300 ft / 700 m |
Highest point | 4,055 ft / 1,236 m (Mount Hale) |
Permits / fees | None |
Parking | Dirt lot |
Toilets? | No (but some at Zeeland Trailhead) |
Dog friendly? | Yes |
Know before you go
This trail is short but steep. Hiker math puts it at nearly a 20% average grade. Your quads (and lungs) will definitely get a workout..
There are no views at the summit. If you're here to check off a 4,000-footer or to squeeze in a fast fitness hike, that might not matter. But if you're looking for big payoffs in the form of sweeping vistas, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
Alternate routes / other trails nearby
Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5 km)
Elevation gain: 2,200 ft (670 m)
Details: Quieter, more gradual option (popular in the winter).
Distance: 19 miles (30.6 km)
Elevation gain: 4,000 ft (1,200 m)
Details: An epic journey across four 4,000-footers in one go—ideal if you're in it for the long haul and the views.
The Trail
Our journey begins at the Hale Brook Trail. While the summit doesn’t offer any true views, at least we hit it during foliage season for a splash of color along the way.
Right from the start, the theme of this hike becomes clear: up. A quick dynamic warm-up might've done some good here.
Despite its no-frills nature, the trail does have a few engaging features. A couple of river crossings add a bit of variety. None were especially wide or difficult, just watch your footing.
Closer to the summit, larger boulders and uneven footing come into play. I had to use my hands for balance a few times, and my heart rate definitely spiked again during this final stretch.
And… just like that, we were there. A big ol’ cairn marks the summit, surrounded by trees with no visible peaks or ridges in sight. Not exactly a “wow” moment, but hey, check another one off the list! Time for a post-hike beer.
SS Reflections
Writing this post almost felt like checking a box—just like hiking Mount Hale. It’s tough to gush about a trail that’s basically a natural stairmaster, especially when more scenic options are right nearby. But if chasing an arbitrary list gets me outside and into the heart of the White Mountains, I’ll take it. Not every summit needs to be a stunner to be worthwhile.
Other helpful resources
Mountain Wandering's post about hiking this via the Fire Warden's Trail in winter