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Belknap Range Trails
4.5 ★★★★★ 68 Google reviews · Running trail in Gilford, New Hampshire · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Belknap Range Trails' own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Kid-friendly hiking area offering various trails, a fire tower, and scenic overlooks.
What runners say about Belknap Range Trails
“It is a beautiful place to hike and it is very challenging on many levels.”
“Cool trail, decent incline, a little hard to find the trail at the beginning, but well-marked after that.”
Lots of beautiful, well marked trails here. Parking for a few vehicles on Carriage road just before the gate. After passing the gate, on the right, is the red blazed trail to the summit of Piper mountain and to the left, Gunstock.
Very nice hiking trails. The gate closes at 6pm, so if you are planning a later start, park before the gate, and then you can take your time getting back.
Gorgeous sunny day hardly no wind. This was number 9 of my NH Fire Lookout Quest that I completed today. I have 6 more NH Fire Towers to seek out. Traveling up Carriage Road in Gilford NH was fun and breath taking. The road is so windy with very sharp turns going up to the Mt. parking area to Belknap Mt.
Really nice hike up red trail and down the blue. Fire tower at the top with good view of Winnipesaukee and surrounding areas.
Trail conditions & character
“Fire tower at the top with good view of Winnipesaukee and surrounding areas.”
“Parking for a few vehicles on Carriage road just before the gate.”
“Cool trail, decent incline, a little hard to find the trail at the beginning, but well-marked after that.”
“There is another trail at the top of the auto road which will bring you to Belknap mountain or you can reach it by hiking the Piper/Gunstock loop.”
“I hiked up the Red trail which is longer than the other trails, challenging, wet, steep and mostly all rock and roots.”
“I hiked up the Red trail which is longer than the other trails, challenging, wet, steep and mostly all rock and roots.”
Plan your run at Belknap Range Trails
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitetrailspotting.com
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Gilford
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Belknap Mountain State Forest
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Forest trails of varying levels of difficulty on a peak, plus scenic overlooks and a lake.
Laconia Sledding Hill
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Public park with a large hill for sledding that's suitable for children.
Lockes Hill Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 200 reviews
Popular mountain hiking area offering several marked trails past scenic lookout points, plus views of Lake Winnipesaukee.
Opechee State Forest
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