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Old Speck Mountain Hiking Trail Guide: Map, Trail Descriptions, Pictures & More

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Article Categories: Hiking
Article Tags: Day Hikes | Hiking | Hiking Maine | NE 67

Old Speck Mountain is a 4,170 foot mountain located in the Mahoosuc Range in Oxford County, Maine. It is also part of the Eastern White Mountains that stretch from New Hampshire to Maine. Old Speck is the 4th highest mountain in the entire state of Maine. The Appalachian Trail, which runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The AT runs .3 miles away from the summit of Old Speck.

Elevation: 4,170 feet

Elevation gain: 2,674 feet

Distance: 7.6 miles roundtrip

Duration (book time): 5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Trails

Old Speck Trail (AT)

The most commonly used route to the summit of Old Speck follows along the AT most of the way. 0.4 miles from the trailhead, there is a split with a right fork climbing The Eyebrow, a steep hike up a cliff face with excellent views. The left fork stays at a moderate grade but eventually merges with the Eyebrow trail shortly. You can choose to go either left or right at the junction. About 3.5 miles from the parking area, the AT turns right, and the summit of Old Speck is a few hundred feet on the left hand side after emerging from the gradual, forested ridge. To descend, simply retrace your steps the way you came back to the trailhead parking lot.

Trail map

Old Speck Mountain Trail Map

Alternate routes

Speck Pond Trail

An alternate, much longer route to the summit starts from the Speck Pond Trailhead and ascends to the summit of  Mahoosuc Arm. The trail will descend for about a mile until you reach Speck Pond. There are tent platforms and lean-to shelter here for hikers to spend the night. Fees will apply – $6 per hiker. To reach the summit of Old Speck, hike 1.1 miles from the Pond until you reach the summit and viewing platform.

Old Speck Mountain Trail Guide

Camping and Overnight Hiking Options

Camping is not allowed in the State park, but outside of this area camping is permitted. The Speck Pond Campsite offers hikers tent platforms, an AT-style shelter, and a composting privy.

Parking

The parking area for the Old Speck Trail is located in Grafton Notch State Park, directly after Mother Walker Falls and Moose Cave.

The Speck Pond Trailhead is located on Success Pond Road, which runs from Berlin, New Hampshire to Grafton Notch, Maine.

Directions

To get to the Old Speck Trail parking area

From I-95, take exit 63 for US-202/ME-115/ME-4 towards ME-26/Gray/New Gloucester. Take a left turn after exiting the ramp and merge onto Route 4. Take a sharp right turn onto 26A North. You will continue driving for roughly 70 miles until you come to a parking lot on your left and side with a sign labeled “hiking trails”.

To get to the Speck Pond Trail parking area

Travel on Success Pond road for roughly 1.5 more miles after the Mahoosuc Notch trail parking area, and the parking area is 0.8 miles down a right-hand side dirt road.

Weather Forecast

Below is the next four days of weather for Old Speck Mountain. Be sure to check conditions the morning of your hike as conditions change rapidly in the mountians.

Gorham, NH

This Afternoon
A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. West wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tonight
A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. West wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Tuesday
A chance of snow showers before 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Wind chill values as low as -2. Northwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night
A slight chance of snow showers after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. West wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Wednesday
A chance of snow showers before 8am, then snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Wednesday Night
Snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Thursday
Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 20. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Additional Photos

Old Speck Mountain Trail Views

Old Speck Trail (AT)

Old Speck Mountain Trail Views

Mahoosuc Trail

Appalachian Trail Sign

Appalachian Trail Sign

Andrea Davis

Andrea Davis

Andrea is a writer, hiker, and adventurer from New England. She enjoys snowboarding, sunrise hikes, winter, night hiking, traveling, and photography.

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