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
Overnight
A slight chance of rain showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. West wind around 0 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday
Rain before 2pm, then a chance of rain showers between 2pm and 5pm. Mostly cloudy. High near 48, with temperatures falling to around 42 in the afternoon. West wind 0 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 22. Northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 51. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night
Clear, with a low around 29. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 58.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
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