Location of Trail Head: The trail begins at the Champney Brook Parking Lot 10 miles west of Route 16 on the south side of the Kancamagus Highway.

Length of Trail to the Summit (One way): 3.8 miles

Estimated Time: 3 hours

Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet

Summit Elevation: 3,475 feet

Level of Difficulty to the Falls: Moderate

Level of Difficulty from the Falls to the Summit: Difficult

The Champney Brook Trail begins at the Kancamagus Highway and ends on the Piper Trail in the flat saddle between Mt. Chocorua and the Three Sisters. Along the way, a loop path diverges left off the trail to Champney Falls and Pitcher Falls. The most dramatic water fall viewing occurs during wet times of year.

Narrative: The Champney Brook Trail begins by the information board in the parking area. After crossing the foot bridge over Twin Brook the trail will turn sharply to the right. Follow the easy grade of an old logging road to Champney Brook. At 1.4 miles, a loop trail will branch off on the left to scenic Champney and Pitcher Falls. In .3 mile the loop will reconnect with the Champney Brook Trail which becomes steeper. You will reach the first set of switch backs at 2.4 miles the Champney Brook Cutoff Trail will lead to Middle Sister at 3.0 miles while the Champney Brook Trail will reach a saddle and pass the Middle Sister Trail on the left. Soon the Champney Trail will end at the junction of the Piper Trail which will lead you to the summit in .6 mile.

Thinking of a Loop Hike? From the summit, descend via the Beeline Trail to the Bolles Trail. Turn right onto the Bolles Trail and return to the parking area where you began. This is a 9.5 mile hike and is recommended for strong hikers only. Please consult a trail map.

Location of the Liberty Trail Head: It begins at the parking area just before the gate on Paugus Mill Road in Chocorua. Please respect private property on the way to the parking lot.

Loop Hike Option: The Liberty Trail and the Brook Trail can be combined for an excellent day hike loop.

Liberty Trail Distance and Estimated Times from the Paugus Mill Parking Area to the Hammond Trail: 2.7 miles, 2 hours and 10 minutes

To Jim Liberty Cabin: 3.3 miles, 2 hours and 40 minutes

To the Brook Trail: 3.6 miles, 3 hours and 5 minutes

To Mt. Chocorua Summit (via Brook Trail): 3.9 miles, 3 hours and 20 minutes

Elevation Gain to Summit: 2,500 feet

The Liberty Trail is very popular and is considered the easiest trail to reach the summit. Leaving the NE side of the parking lot, the trail ascends at a steady, moderate grade along an old bridle path. The Durrell Brook is crossed at 1.1 miles, one third of the way to Jim Liberty Cabin. The Hammond Trail enters from the right 2.7 miles. The Liberty Trail continues to Jim Liberty Cabin at 3.3 miles. The Liberty Trail meets the Brook Trail on a ledge at 3.6 miles. Continue on the Brook Trail another .2 mile to the summit of Mt. Chocorua. (The Beeline enters 10 yards from the Liberty and Brook Trail junction.) The summit of Mt. Chocorua is .2 mile farther via the Brook Trail.

Brook Trail Distance from the Paugus Mill Parking Area to the Claybank Brook Crossing: 2.5 miles, 1 hour and 40 minutes to the Liberty Trail: 3.4 miles, 2 hours and 50 minutes to Mt. Chocorua Summit: 3.6 miles, 3 hours and 5 minutes Elevation Gain to Summit: 2,300 feet

The Brook Trail, with its steep ledges, is more difficult than the Liberty Trail. It has excellent views on the rocky ledges near the summit of Chocorua. The trail can be hazardous in wet or icy conditions. The trail begins by following a gravel road beyond the parking lot gate. The trail leaves the gravel road on the right at .4 mile and follows the south bank of Claybank Brook. The trail passes to the junction with the Bickford Path and continues to the first ledge at 3.0 miles near where the new Beeline relocation enters on the left. The trail climbs the steep, open ledges of the Farlow Ridge with cairns and yellow paint marking the way. The Liberty Trail enters from the right at 3.4 miles. The summit of Mt. Chocorua is .2 mile via the Brook Trail.

Note: The summit can be avoided during bad weather by following the West Side Trail, which enters 25 yards beyond the Bee Line Trail and runs into the Piper Trail.

Location of Trail Head: Route 16, six miles south of Conway behind the Piper Trail Cabins and Restaurant. This is private land and there is a fee area parking lot.

Distances and Estimated Times from Route 16:

Nickerson Ledge Trail: 1.4 miles, 1 hour

Chocorua River Crossing: 2.0 miles, 1 hour and 25 minutes

Camp Penacook Spur Trail: 3.1 miles, 2 hours and 25 minutes

Champney Brook Trail: 3.9 miles, 3 hours and 10 minutes

Mt. Chocorua Summit: 4.5 miles, 3 hours and 35 minutes

Level of Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

Elevation Gain to Summit: 2,700 feet

The Piper Trail is an attractive trail that offers maximum walking on open ledges to the summit of Mt. Chocorua.

Narrative: The trail starts at an easy grade on private land following an old logging road. The White Mountain National Forest boundary is crossed at approximately .6 miles. The Weetamoo Trail turns off to the left at .8 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 in to a series of switch backs, 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 paint marks over open ledges to the summit.

Note: It may be safer during bad weather to follow the West Side and Brook trails to the summit.

Camping: Both Camp Penacook and Jim Liberty Cabin are available on a first come, first serve basis. No camping or fires are allowed anywhere else on the upper part of Mt. Chocorua except at these sites.

Jim Liberty Cabin facilities include nine bunk beds, pit toilet, table, and a bench. A drinking water source is located one tenth of a mile down on the right when facing the cabin. It can not be depended on during dry times of the year. There is no longer a wood stove due to the impacts on the cabin and on the scenic and fragile environment. The use of camp stoves is encouraged as fires are prohibited.

Camp Penacook facilities include a three-sided shelter, tent platform, pit toilet and a nearby water source. A cooking grate and fire ring are provided for use. The three-sided shelter and the tent platform each have a capacity of six to eight people.

Safety: Remember to bring water, warm clothes, well soled walking shoes, and a compass! Mountain winds, temperatures and conditions can change in a drastically short amount of time. All outdoor water sources should be either filtered, chemically treated or vigorously boiled before consumption. It is a good idea to tell a close friend where you are going and when you are expected to return.

Please be aware that theft occurs at trailheads. Leave nothing of value in your vehicle.  Bring it with you!