Mt. Hale Summit Elevation: 4,054 feet
Distance: 8.7 miles (full loop, see below for trail specifics)
Time: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Weekend Warriors
Recommended Gear: Hiking Boots or Trail Runners, Day Pack, Trekking Poles
Mt. Hale via the Hale Brook Trail is an ideal hike for those cloudy days when visibility is limited. There’s a “partial” view on the Hale summit, obtained by climbing the beefy summit cairn to see over the surrounding treetops. That’s not to say a Mt. Hale hike has to be all trail, no treasure—loop it with Zealand Falls via the Lend-a-Hand Trail and Zealand Trail for some waterfall eye candy.
Hale Brook Trail
Distance to summit: 2.2 miles
Elevation gain or loss: 2,300 feet
Time to summit: 1-2.5 hours
Difficulty: Weekend Warriors
The Hale Brook Trail is on the easier end of the White Mountains 4,000-footer scale. The trail, never overly steep, climbs steadily from the beginning with switchbacks near the top. The brook crossings are no problem under ordinary conditions, and while there are some trail rocks and roots, most of the hike can be done without carefully minding each step.
While the Hale Brook Trail is hike-able for most children, there likely aren’t enough challenges or scenic rewards to hold their attention. For kids, consider taking the Zealand Trail straight to Zealand Falls.
Lend-a-Hand-Trail
Distance: 2.7 miles
Elevation gain or loss: 1,300 feet
Time: 1.5-3 hours
Difficulty: Weekend Warriors
The Lend-a-Hand trail connects the summit of Mt. Hale to the Twinway/Appalachian Trail, a mere o.1 mile above Zealand Falls and the hut. Like the Hale Brook Trail, Lend-a-Hand isn’t oppressively steep at any point, but it is steeper and rockier than Hale Brook, especially closer to the summit.
There is a slightly open section of the trail walled in by a ledge with decent views, followed by boardwalks over wet areas. The lower portion of the trail features several small brook crossings before connecting onto the Appalachian Trail.
When facing the hut, the Twinway/Appalachian Trail descends on the right side down a wide and rocky path past the lower section of Zealand Falls. From here, the intersection with the Zealand Trail is a short distance ahead.
Zealand Trail
Distance: 2.5 miles to/from AT junction
Elevation gain or loss: 450 feet
Time: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Nature Walks
The Zealand Trail connects the end of the Zealand Road with the three-way junction of the Twinway/Appalachian Trail and the Ethan Pond Trail, 0.2 miles below Zealand Falls Hut. Following an old railroad grade, the Zealand Trail is flat and easy going most of the way with several water crossings. As a standalone hike, it’s good for those of all ages and abilities.
The lower section of the Zealand Trail closest to the parking lot parallels Zealand River. For those doing the full loop hike, there 1.3 miles of dirt road between the Hale Brook Trail and the Zealand Trail parking lots. We chose to park at Hale Brook and walk the road at the end, but there’s something to be said for getting it out of the way first.
Directions to Mt. Hale
Take Route 302 out of Twin Mountain Village. Turn right onto the Zealand Road (closed in winter) at the Zealand Campground. Hale Brook Trail parking is 2.5 miles in on the right. The Zealand Trail lot is another mile in on the left. Both are pay-to-park lots.