When deciding between the many White Mountains hikes available in that popular New England Mountain Range visitors may want to take a slightly less beaten path. The one day hike to the summit of Mount Carrigan fits that bill nicely.

Situated in the White Mountain range in New Hampshire near the town of Meredith, this brief backpacking sojourn takes trekkers 3,250 feet up Mount Carrigan on moderately difficult, 5-mile hike that normally takes around 3 hours both ways. The first part of the hike along Signal Trail is pleasant and mostly flat, with mosquitoes as the only major annoyance. The second leg of the trip on Carrigain Notch Trail gets steep, but is more forgiving closer to the summit of Mt. Carrigain. Nevertheless there are plenty of pleasant resting points along the way.

The views from Signal Ridge and the summit provide excellent views of Mt. Washington and the Pemigewasset Wilderness. This is classic White Mountain hiking, and not to be missed.