Distance: 1 mile with options for longer
Difficulty: Easy side of Moderate
Located in Deering, NH near Hillsborough is a great trail that can be a short hike or if wished, a longer hike. The Hedgehog Mountain Trail is located on Hedgehog Mountain Road off of Old Country Road in Deering. The parking lot was recently redone with more parking and a kiosk with trail information.
From the parking lot walk .10 of a mile up the road to the trailhead. The trail head is located on the left. Follow the yellow trail blazes through the woods.
The trail meanders through the woods on a steady incline.
Since we have had a lot of rain the trail was like one big stream, making the leaves very slippery. If we have had a lot of rain use caution on the trail with your footing.
As the trail goes on it gets fairly steep with some spots that flatten out. Close to the top are a lot of loose rocks where you need to continue to use caution with your footing, especially if you have little ones with you.
Right before you summit you will see a sign for the Hedgehog Ridge Trail
This trail is about four miles to High Five Reservation if you are looking for a longer hike. The map is below and it looks like there are various view points along the way. I have never done this section of the trail.
From the trail intersection you are just a few hundred feed to the rock outcropping where you have beautiful views of Mt. Monadnock and looking west.
To this point it is only about a mile, making it very doable for beginner hikers and children. If you want a longer hike you can continue on to High Five Reservation which is about 4.5 miles.
Remember in the fall when the leaves on the ground trails with a lot of rocks can become very slippery.
