Mount Chocorua via Carter Ledge Trail is a 9.1 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Silver Lake, New Hampshire that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from May until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism, P.O. Box 1856 , Concord, NH, 03302-1856, Phone: 603-271-2665
Directions from Conway, NH: Travel south on SR 16 about 5 miles passing through the tiny burg of Albany. Enter White Ledge Campground. The trail begins from the campground picnic area.
November 7, 2020Had only a few hours and did the Carter Ledge trail out and back. Quite steep in spots but a great little trail on its own.
October 24, 2020Did the upper portion of this trail from the Piper Hammond Loop start. Great even though conditions were wet and visibility with very limited (minimal views). There are a couple of areas with mild exposure on rocky ledges that might be scary for those afraid of heights in wet conditions. Can't wait to come back and do it again when conditions are clearer
October 18, 2020
September 4, 2020August 18, 2020Beautiful views on the ledges. My 50 lb lab mix did fine ascending this trail. Had to boost him up via the hind legs on one section.
August 8, 2020As an “experienced” hiker, I would rate this a hard or challenging trail, certainly not moderate. There are three sections that involve some rock climbing skills, patience, and concentration prior to getting to Middle Sister Trail. And, some very steep gravel areas, I would not bring dogs or young children. Better choice use Middle Sister all the way, longer but gentler and truly moderate. Okay for dogs and children. At the very least ascend Carter Ledge but descend Middle Sister.
July 9, 2020Here is a review coming from an average, petite and fairly active 36 year old. To call this route (Piper- Nickerson- Carter Ledge) moderate is a real stretch. It is a beautiful, woodsy and well- worn trail, but also poorly marked, rugged and steep. Hiking shoes highly recommended. Wear long pants, it will help when you are climbing up/ sliding down rocks. Bring bugspray and a decent size (2L+) water bladder if you have one. Be aware of “false summit” Middle Sister Ledge. If you don’t see summit sign, you haven’t reached it! Views are breathtaking.
June 25, 2020A nice trail with very beautiful views. We didn’t see a single person besides us walking it at the time. I would be cautious bringing kids or dogs because in some areas it gets very steep and the ground gives way under your feet causing you to slip
May 30, 2020May 16, 2020May 3, 2020what a great hike, really great mix of terrain with some amazing forest walks and some serious Boulder hopping as you work your way up to the ridge. up until that point it is a pretty nice stroll in the woods. monster views of Moat, really awesome!
April 15, 2020Large parking lot far from main road. $5 parking fee, gradual climb with lots of water access. Little view off of Nickerson Ledge
October 13, 2019Great mid October hike, beautiful fall colors, plenty of good climbs as you approach the summit. I took Carter Ridge Trail up to Middle Sister summit (4.3 miles, 2hr 15 min). Amazing views. Followed Middle Sister trail down (4.7 mile). Good mix of easy packed earth footpaths and steeper rocky climbs. Trails well marked. Highly recommend.
October 2, 2019September 16, 2019Left from campground beautiful day for this hike. Took Carter Ledge up and back summited Middle Sister and Chocorua. Strenuous and steep but very rewarding. We are not fast hikers stopping to take in viewpoints took us 8 hrs. Reading other reviews would say September is great time to go - no bugs!
July 9, 2019Nice “Classic NH” trail that I did as a loop from the campground up to Chocura and down Piper Trail. Mosquitos were intense although a few applications of deet kept them at bay. There are a couple of good steeps and the trail is less trafficked than Piper but it was doable by my 9 year old and should be OK with a reasonable level of fitness. Nice woods and streams going up, and than utterly amazing views once you break out onto the summits and ridge line.
June 29, 2019Had to turn back after an hour because the mosquitoes were so vicious—even with the bug spray. Had my dog with me and he got so chowed he needed benadryl....wish we had gotten to see more and would try it again at a different time of year, but not worth the bites right now.
June 22, 2019QUIT TRAIL COMPARED TO PIPPER NEXT DOOR. I DIDN'T SEE ANYONE UNTIL I HIT THE LEDGES. WHICH HAS TO BE THE BEST VIEW OF CHOCORUA IN THE AREA. THER IS A STEEP SECTION BEFORE LEDGES. BUT WORTH THE WORK. AND THERE IS A NICE PART THAT RUNS THROUGH A SPRUCE STAND LIKE A TUNNEL. GREAT TRAIL.
May 26, 2019First day that I didn't need to change my clothing multiple times due to cold temperatures and wind. However the bugs are back full force. But that's hiking in New Hampshire. Nice trail. Relatively gentle grade until just after the junction with the Nickerson Ledge Trail then quite steep. But you get rewarded with some awesome views of Chocurua from the Carter ledges. Then there's a bit of a break in the grade before another 2 steep pitches then you get to the trail junction with the Middle Sister Trail. From here it's a short 0.3 miles to the summit of Middle Sister with very beautiful 360 degree views from Chocurua to the south across the Sandwich Range and Kancamaugus Highway and Pemigewasset Wilderness all the way to the Presidentials. Definitely worth a redo, maybe as part of a Chocurua traverse. Steep but worth it!
May 25, 2019First day that I didn't need to change my clothing multiple times due to cold temperatures and wind. However the bugs are back full force. But that's hiking in New Hampshire. Nice trail. Relatively gentle grade until just after the junction with the Nickerson Ledge Trail then quite steep. But you get rewarded with some awesome views of Chocurua from the Carter ledges. Then there's a bit of a break in the grade before another 2 steep pitches then you get to the trail junction with the Middle Sister Trail. From here it's a short 0.3 miles to the summit of Middle Sister with very beautiful 360 degree views from Chocurua to the south across the Sandwich Range and Kancamaugus Highway and Pemigewasset Wilderness all the way to the Presidentials. Definitely worth a redo, maybe as part of a Chocurua traverse. Steep but worth it!
April 8, 2019Snow is soft... be ready for extreme post holing!
