Trail

West Ridge Trail on Mt. Cardigan

Orange, NH

Length: 3.00 mi.

Type: Out & Back

About This Trail

[Total: 16 Average: 2.3/5]

This easy to moderate hike is on 1.5-mile (3 miles round trip) West Ridge Trail that rises 1,200 vertical feet from the state park on Cardigan’s west slope, and provides the easiest access to the summit. Hiking trails are blazed in different colors based on their location on the mountain. Trails on the east side (AMC lodge) are blazed in yellow; trails along the north-south ridge are white; and trails on the west side (state park) are orange. Colors are independent of trail names. The South Ridge Trail, for example, changes from orange to white at Rimrock.

This is a great trail for preschoolers and up, and is carrier friendly with limited scrambling. This trail is also on the NH52WaV List and the NH Fire Tower Quest. Offers amazing views of the surrounding area!

Pictures provided by NH Family Hikes:

http://www.nhfamilyhikes.com/hikes.php?hike=Mt.%20Cardigan

Additional Trail information Provided by:

https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/cardigan-mountain-state-park

Trail Features

Seasons	Fall, Spring, and Summer
Surface type	Dirt
Elevation gain	1,194 ft.
Stroller friendly	No
ADA accessible	No
Water fountains	No
Bathrooms	No
Cell reception	Spotty
Pet friendly	Yes
Nearby convenience store	Yes
Camping Nearby	Yes
Emergency support within 5 miles	Yes

Trail highlights

Camping Nearby, Shaded Hike, Viewpoint, and Wildlife Viewing

Trail has stunning views from top of Mt. Cardigan!

Fee & Parking Details

Fee : $4.00

NH State Park Fees:
Adults: $4.00; Youth ages 6-11: $2.00
High Use Parks – Adults: $5.00; Youth ages 6-11: $2.00 (Italicized below)
Children ages 5 & under, NH residents age 65 & over: FREE at all day-use parks.

Trail Contributor

Trail Guide Team

[Total: 16 Average: 2.3/5]

Hike it Baby Trail Guide is managed by the Family Trail Guide team. If a trail has been “abandoned” by the initial owner, it gets adopted by the team. Also, if there are no trails in the area, the Family Trail Guide team researches trails that are family friendly in the area to insure that hikes cover all areas where Hike it Baby hikes.

Contact Trail Guide

Weather

Trail Map

Getting There

Trailhead located Cardigan Mountain State Park, address is:

658 Cardigan Mountain Rd
Orange, NH 03741
Phone: 603-227-8745

About The Guide

Hike it Baby Family Trail Guide is an online resource to help families with children source trails that little legs can hike and parents can feel comfortable with. Hike details are sourced and have been hiked by families who participate in our community. Our contributors do their best to give you all the details they can, but if something is missed, you can reach out to the contributor and offer suggestions for them to add to make it a better trail description for all. This guide was built with a generous 3-year partnership with L.L.Bean. Like Hike it Baby, L.L.Bean believes that helping get families into nature from birth on is key to healthier, happier communities.

Trail Disclaimer

Hike it Baby makes every effort to keep trail content up to date, but trail conditions are subject to change. Hike it Baby is not responsible for any injuries that occur while hiking the trails covered in this guide. Hike it Baby is a platform that helps connect families to federal, state and local parks nationwide.