We Need Your Help! Support Sustainable Trail Improvements at Mount Major

It’s no wonder Mount Major’s panoramic summit, which boasts views of the Lakes Region and White Mountains, is a highly regarded destination for locals and tourists alike. With an estimated 80,000 visitors annually, though, Mount Major’s trails are being loved to death. Soil erosion, off-trail usage, dog waste, and trash are just some of the visitor-created impacts Forest Society staff and volunteers contend with throughout the year. 

The Forest Society is dedicated to consistently improving the visitor experience — and natural resource protection — at Mt. Major.

In recent years we have constructed a pavilion area and kiosk in the parking lot, reconstructed the main trail entrance to solve drainage issues, and we’ve recruited and trained more volunteers to help orient hikers, especially on busy days.

On May 13, we began an ambitious trail project to greatly improve the sustainability of Mount Major's Main Trail, the most popular route up and down the mountain. The construction work wrapped up on Friday, August 26 but we're still fundraising as we close out the project!

The Forest Society teamed up with Town 4 Trails Services and OBP Trailworks to construct a sustainable trail to take the place of about 1/3 mile of the existing Main/Blue Trail. The lower sections of the Main Trail included some extremely eroded sections, the result of steep grades on sub-optimal soil combined with more than 480 million footfalls annually. 

For decades, the soil eroding from these areas has been washing down the trail, into streams and directly into Lake Winnipesaukee across Route 11 from the Mt. Major parking area. In addition to being a more enjoyable hiking experience, the new trail section should also require much less maintenance over time. It will also be a major ecological improvement, reducing runoff and silting into Lake Winnipesaukee.  

Will you help keep recreation sustainable at Mt. Major by making a donation to this project?

Sustainable trail construction is not, however, a small undertaking. This reconstruction of about 1/3 mile of trail is a major investment. To support the project, the Forest Society must raise $300,000. 

Fortunately, we have been able to raise more than $200,000 to date thanks to a grant from the NH Recreation Trails Program and gifts and grants from private foundations and more than 100 individuals. Now, we have just $50,000 left to raise as we close out the project!

Please join us in being good stewards of Mt. Major by donating to the Mt. Major Main Trail Project today! You will be able to walk on your investment for many years to come!

Want to learn more? See frequently asked questions here.