Mount Israel is a 2,630 foot tall peak in Sandwich, NH that features fantastic views of the Sandwich Range, Mount Chocorua, Squam Lake, and more.
Elevation: 2,630 feet (801.6 meters)
Elevation gain: 1,900 feet (579.2 meters)
Distance: 4 miles roundtrip (6.45 km)
Duration (book time): 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Intermediate
Trails
Wentworth Trail – 4 miles round trip – 1,900 feet of elevation gain
The Wentworth trail begins at the end of Diamond Ledge Road at a parking lot right in front of a beautiful white house. This trail ascends relatively quickly in the first 1.5 miles before reaching your first viewpoint looking in a southward direction back at Squam Lake. The trail levels off in the last half mile where hikers reach a junction with the Mead Trail, a false summit with great views, and then eventually the true summit of Mount Israel. This is the most direct route to the summit.
The trailhead can sometimes be a little difficult to see. Check out the pictures below to help you see where to go ahead of time.
Mead Trail & Guinea Pond Trail – 7.0 miles round trip
Many hikers choose to hike to Mount Israel via the Guinea Pond Trail located off of Sandwich Notch Road. This trail is longer, but provides access to the gorgeous Guinea Pond.
Mount Israel Loop – 6.4 miles on trails plus around 3-4 miles along Sandwich Notch Road (9-10 miles total)
A loop is possible taking both trails. This adds a lot of distance to this hike. There are also other loop variations that can be done. Check out a trail map to see what is possible.
Trail Map
Weather Forecast
Here is the forecast for the next four days:
Center Sandwich, NH
Tonight
Rain before 9pm, then rain and areas of fog between 9pm and 1am, then areas of fog and a chance of rain between 1am and 2am, then areas of fog and isolated rain showers. Cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday
Areas of fog before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. West wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 46. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 70. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night
A chance of rain showers after 3am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday Night
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Parking & Directions
Wentworth Trailhead:
Guinea Pond Trailhead:
Additional Pictures
Parking Area for Mount Israel
Wentworth Trailhead
Mount Israel False Summit
Mount Israel Summit Views
Mount Isreal Summit
Mount Israel False Summit Views
Mead Trail Junction
First Viewpoint on Wentworth Trail
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