North and South Hancock mountain are perfect to combine together for a day hike. Located near the middle of the Kancamagus highway, they feature a quick ascent. These mountains don’t have exposed summits, but the summit of North Hancock has exposed granite with incredible views of the North side of the Osceola and East Osceola across the Kancamagus Highway. South Hancock has views facing the east and southeast.
North Hancock
Height: 4,420 feet (1,347 meters)
Distance: 8.6 miles round trip (13.84 km)
Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet
Difficulty: Intermediate
Duration: 3-5 hours
South Hancock
Height: 4,319 feet (1,316 meters)
Distance: 8.2 miles round trip (13.82 km)
Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet
Difficulty: Intermediate
Duration: 3-5 hours
North and South Hancock
Distance: 9.8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 2,700 feet (15.77 km)
Duration: 4-6 hours
Trail Map
Trails
Hancock Notch Trail – This trail is the beginning portion of the loop up both summits. It starts at the point of the big bend in the Kanc (directions below). It crosses quite a few easy to cross rivers, but descends relatively slowly before
Hancock Loop Trail – This trail connects the summits of North and South Hancock. It is 1.4 miles between the peaks.
Winter Hiking
This is a fantastic winter hiking trail. Due to the steep sections up to each mountain summit, it can be difficult and slippery. In the winter, the trail also opens up providing views that hikers can’t quite get in the summertime. Because the trailhead is on the Kancamagus Highway, this trailhead is accessible year round.
Directions
Parking is located at the Hancock overlook. At the far end of the parking lot, a trail goes through the short section of woods before hikers need to cross the road at the big bend in the Kanc. This is the beginning of the trailhead. Exercise caution crossing as it can be difficult for cars to see individuals crossing.
Weather Forecast
Lincoln, NH
This Afternoon
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
A chance of rain showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday
Isolated rain showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night
A chance of rain showers after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday
Rain showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Pictures
Hancock Overlook
Views of South Hancock from North Hancock
South Hancock Views
North Hancock Views
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about