Elevation: 3,155 feet (962 meters) Prominence: 1,925 feet (587 meters) Location: Orange, NH (Lakes Region, NH) Coordinates: 43°38'59" North     71°54'53" West Features: 360° summit views, summit tower, Cardigan Mountain State Forest Distance of highlighted hike below: 3 miles

Mount Cardigan is a mountain located in Cardigan Mountain State Forest in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire in the town of Orange. Although the elevation is only 3,155 feet, it gives hikers a feeling they are much higher due to the huge areas of bare granite rock with some alpine growth. The summit has a fire tower and amazing 360° views.

There is a lodge called the Cardigan Lodge which has been operated by the AMC since 1934, located to the East at the foot of the mountain.

The easiest route up to the summit of Mt .Cardigan is the West Ridge Trail which goes directly to the summit in 1.5 miles.

Lists Mount Cardigan are on:	= A patch is available for this list
New England Fifty Finest 52 with a View

Almost at the summit of Mount Cardigan from the West Ridge Trail on August 11, 2014.

The map below shows how to get to the summit of Mount Cardigan.

From the parking lot, the West Ridge Trail starts just behind the shelter. Hike on the West Ridge Trail for 1.5 miles until you reach the summit of Mount Cardigan. (You will pass a junction with the South Ridge Trail and a trail to Rimrock before reaching the summit.) Note the last roughly half mile of this trail is all open rock slabs, so if it is wet or icy, please plan accordingly.

To get back to the parking lot, retrace your steps the same way you came up.

Click to download PDF Trail Map of Mount Cardigan.

"Meatball Rock" near the summit of Mount Cardigan on August 11, 2014.

Hiking up the West Ridge Trail to Mount Cardigan on August 11, 2014.

West Ridge Trail sign from the parking lot on August 11, 2014.

These are driving directions to the West Ridge Trail parking area
Take exit 17 from I-93 North to get on Route 4 West. Turn right onto Route 4 West / Hoit Road. Drive 1.2 miles and continue straight through the traffic circle to stay on Route 4 West. Drive 2.5 miles and turn slight left to stay on Route 4 West. Drive 15.2 miles and turn right to stay on Route 4 West. Drive 20.9 miles and turn sharply right onto Parker Street / Route 118. Drive 0.6 miles and turn right onto Cardigan Mountain Road. When you get the Burnt Hill Road, turn left to stay on Cardigan Mountain Road. (You will see a Cardigan Mountain State Forest sign here) Drive until you come to the parking lot.

If you have a GPS, you can put in Cardigan Mountain Road in Orange, NH and look for the parking area on the road.

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