Most Hikers Turn Back Too Early on North Moat Mountain

Most hikers turn back too early on North Moat Mountain, in this video I’ll show you why continuing past the summit is worth it. This hike shares a trailhead with the popular Diana’s Baths in Bartlett, NH. About two miles after the waterfalls, the trail climbs steeply toward North Moat. At the summit, you can either turn back the same way you came, or go towards South Moat, where you find the spur trail to Red Ridge (which has incredible views of Mt. Washington and the surrounding area). Hike details • Trail Name: Moat Mountain Trail to Red Ridge Trail • Location: Bartlett, New Hampshire • Region: White Mountain National Forest • Mileage: Approximately 10 miles with Red Ridge spur trail (8 miles without) • Elevation Gain: Approximately 2,800 feet • Difficulty: Difficult, mostly due to mileage, sustained elevation gain, and scrambles Parking information This hike starts from the Diana’s Baths trailhead off West Side Road near Bartlett and North Conway, New Hampshire. Exploring the swimming holes around Diana’s Baths is one of the most popular things to do in New Hampshire, especially outdoors during summer. Because of this, the parking lot can fill up quickly, and take note, there is a $5 fee. If you’re planning to hike North Moat Mountain or continue toward Red Ridge, I’d recommend getting there early and being prepared for crowds near the waterfalls before the trail gets much quieter. Highlights of the trail This hike has a little bit of everything: waterfalls, classic rocky White Mountain terrain, steep climbing, 360º summit views from North Moat (which is on the 52 with a view list), and the exposed Red Ridge section. North Moat has some of the best summit views in New Hampshire, especially under 4,000' elevation. A lot of people stop at Diana’s Baths, and many hikers who summit North Moat either turn around or continue into a longer traverse. But Red Ridge only adds about 2 extra miles to the North Moat out-and-back, and in my opinion, it might be the most underrated part of the entire hike. Who is this hike for? This hike is for hikers who are comfortable with longer mileage, steady elevation gain, steep sections (including a few scrambles), and changing mountain weather. If you’ve done some hiking in the White Mountains and want a trail that feels challenging without being overly technical, North Moat Mountain and Red Ridge are absolutely worth considering. If you’re brand new to hiking, consider other hikes first, you can check out my playlist    • Moderate New England Hikes   for some nice options. My honest trail review North Moat Mountain is harder than it looks, but the payoff is real. The climb is steep, the mileage adds up, and spring conditions can still feel like winter near the summit. But between the views from North Moat and the exposed ridge walking on Red Ridge, this hike delivers one of the better combinations of challenge, scenery, and solitude near North Conway. For me, the biggest takeaway is simple: don’t turn back too early. Looking for a similar hike? Check out my Difficult New England Hikes playlist for more hikes like this one in New England    • Difficult New England Hikes   Timestamps 0:00:00 - trail details 0:00:59 - Diana's Baths 0:02:30 - initial climb 0:04:20 - first views on Moat Mountain Trail 0:06:13 - hardest stretch to N Moat 0:07:51 - North Moat summit views 0:09:28 - to Red Ridge (scrambles, cliffs, views) 0:15:02 - Red Ridge (what most hikers miss) 0:16:16 - views on the ridge Hashtags #NewEnglandTrails #NorthMoatMountain #WhiteMountains #NewHampshireHiking #DianasBaths #NorthConwayNH #52WAV