Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Coalition
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Newbury Harbor to Old Province Road
Total Distance: 5.5 miles Estimated time: 4 hours
Total Ascents: 1750 feet Total Descents: 1200 feet
Overview: This section of the SRKG climbs to the summit of Mount Sunapee (elevation 2743 ft.) and lies mostly within the Mount Sunapee State Park, but the first 0.1 mi. of the Newbury Trail (SRKG) is on private property. The park encompasses over 2900 acres including three peaks, a small lake, numerous brooks, a ski resort, and a large sandy beach on Lake Sunapee. Varieties of eco-systems are found within the park boundaries. Ascent of Mount Sunapee is via the Newbury Trail and the Solitude Trail. The views from the summit and a visit to the lodge are well worth the climb. The descent via the Summit Trail is gradual, passing through varied forest types: spruce, fir, northern hardwoods, and a white pine plantation, which once was an apple orchard.
Finding the Trailheads: There are several parking areas available at the eastern trailhead, at the Newbury Post Office, at the Newbury Town Dock, and at the Newbury Information Booth. All of these areas are directly off NH 103. The western trailhead is at the eastern end of Old Province Road. To reach this trailhead from the Post Office in Newbury Harbor take route NH 103 west approximately 3.4 mi. Turn left onto Brook Road, the first left after Mount Sunapee traffic circle. Go about 1.2 mi. to a sharp corner, and turn left onto Old Province Road. There is a small parking area at the end of the road on the south (0.5 mi.), right side. Please do not park in someone's driveway.
Trail: To reach the Newbury Trail/SRKG from the Newbury Post Office, go west a short distance on NH 103, left at Newbury Heights (Maple Walk to the old timers) at 0.1 mi., and the second right onto Lakeview Avenue at 0.1 mi. The Newbury Trail (Mount Sunapee State Park), which is the eastern trailhead, goes right at 0.2 mi. Orange blazes mark this old rocky Newbury Trail, which once was a ski trail. The Eagles Nest side trail goes off to the right at 0.4 mi.; the sign for it is 5 yd. to the right of the Newbury Trail. This 0.2-mile detour gives a wonderful view of Lake Sunapee. At 1.0 mi., the trail becomes quite steep. Both delicate yellow violets and painted trillium may be seen here in season. At the remains of the old Newport Ski Club ski hut and the nearby ledges (1.2 mi.) is another beautiful view of Lake Sunapee. At 1.3 mi., the SRKG comes to a trail junction with the Rim Trail at the far end of a 20-yard- long boggy area. There is a sign facing descending hikers that says: Group Camping 1.0 mi. Seven yards down this side trail to the right is a sign that says Rim Trail. At this junction with the Rim Trail, the SRKG goes straight, following the orange blazes.
At 2.2 mi. a junction is reached. The SRKG goes right, joining the Monadnock Sunapee Greenway Trail to the summit (white rectangular blazes). A side trip to the left on the Monadnock Sunapee Greenway Trail for 200 yd. will take you to Lake Solitude. The trail to the right (also known as the Solitude Trail) continues to the summit. At 2.3 mi., the White Ledges are reached (small cairn). To the left, a brief walk of 50 yd. over ledges takes the hiker to a spectacular view of Lake Solitude. From here, the view includes the Uncanoonucs near Manchester (south and to the right).
At 3.0 mi., the Solitude Trail (white rectangular blazes) joins the Williamson Ski Trail, a service road to the summit. After another 70 yd., there is an intersection with two other ski trails, and the trail continues the ascent to the left to the summit lodge (3.2 mi.), where food can be purchased in the lodge during certain times of the year.
A 40-yard walk on a grassy slope south from the Summit Lodge will bring you to a large sign pointing to the direction of the descending Summit Trail, marked by red blazes. The trail passes over varied terrain with spruce, fir, birch, and pine forests. While descending, watch for a sharp left turn marked by an arrow. At this junction the Summit Trail splits. The trail straight ahead continues to the State Park's parking area, while the Summit Trail, and the SRKG, go to the left. Close to the completion of the hike the Summit Trail comes to another trail junction. The junction has a sign that signifies that the SRKG, marked by white trapezoid blazes, goes straight, while the Summit Trail turns right and goes to the State Park's parking area. The SRKG reaches an old woods road where it turns left and soon reaches Old Province Road at 5.0 mi.
