Mt. Monadnock via Dublin Trail
Mt. Monadnock via Dublin Trail at Monadnock State Park near Dublin, New Hampshire is a difficult 4.7-mile out-and-back hike that leads to the summit of New England's busiest mountain, Mt. Monadnock, and features panoramic views.Trail names: Dublin Trail.
Location: Old Troy Road, Dublin NH. Old Troy Road is a dirt road and is very narrow. The road is not maintained during winter.
Permitted uses: Hiking, Overnight parking allowed by permission of the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, Camping, Fires allowed in rings or grills, Hunting allowed with restrictions, Target Shooting allowed with restrictions.
Prohibited uses: No Buses are allowed, No Horses, No fireworks, No OHRV, No Snowmobiles Hours: There are no posted hours at the information Kiosk. Overnight parking is permitted with permission from the Society for the Protection of NH Forests.
Fees and Parking: The suggested fee to use the trail is $5.00 per vehicle and is collected on the honor system in a metal pay box near the information kiosk. There is ample parking at this trailhead.
Pets: Dogs are not permitted on the trail.
Accessibility: This trail is not wheelchair accessible.
Hiker amenities: There is an information Kiosk at the Dublin trailhead where visitors will find a posted trail map and a list of regulations. There is a port-a-potty with hand sanitizer near the trailhead Kiosk but there is no drinking water or trash bins.
Length and Trail information: This hike is approximately 4.7 miles long, is done as an out and back hike and is considered a hard hike. The trail is well blazed with white markers, occasional engraved wooden signs and cairns.
The trail starts at the end of the parking lot, behind and to the left of the information Kiosk. A short distance in, the trail crosses over Old Troy Road and continues into the woods. The trail is well marked and easy to follow. Hikers cross over a wooden boardwalk and into the forest. Here the trail substrate is wide and flat and rock culverts have been installed to direct water away from the trail. The trail substrate changes from wide and flat to rooted and rocky, so hikers will need to be mindful of their footing. The ascent soon becomes steady and there will be a lot of rock scrambling through some very interesting areas of the trail. We observed several different kinds of interesting mushrooms and a plethora of fauna to investigate. The views from the Dublin Trail are spectacular but are mostly obscured until hikers reach the area just below Jim’s Junction, where the Dublin and Marlborough trails overlap. At this altitude the trees are shorter and there are more exposed granite ledges that make it easier to see the beautiful area surrounding Mt. Monadnock. Take some time to investigate the areas where the rock outcroppings have formed little ecosystems. We found a mini pond (vernal pool) in one crevasse that had some interesting algae growing as well as a resident frog. There is a bit of rock scrambling at the top of the mountain but the reward for hard work is an amazing 360 degree view. Lots of hikers plan some time at the summit to take in the views and enjoy a break and a snack before heading back down the mountain.
