**Note: The Donovan Memorial Trail and parking area will be closed from 7/22/24 to approximately mid-October 2024 due to a forest management project. The Gap North and Gap South parking areas and trails will remain open. To learn more about this and other forest management projects, visit https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/56f361b2cce140abb762bfd29a59b048 and https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/083d133b24bc488fbc8c38a288c4ca82.
Gap Mountain is so-named for a prominent saddle or “gap” between its twin summits as seen from the west in Troy. The key attractions at Gap are the stunning vista of Mt. Monadnock looming just to the north and the summer high- and low-bush blueberry crops ringing the open ledges of the north summit. Volunteer land stewards from the Forest Society periodically maintain the openings along the upper reaches of the trail to help sustain the blueberries.
The forest on Gap Mountain is a legacy of extensive farm pastures which formerly extended over the entire mountain, including the 1,862 foot summit. Today, the lower slopes of Gap Mountain are cloaked in second-growth forest of white pine and red oak. The remains of a former apple orchard can be found along the excellent hiking trail from the Jaffrey trailhead on the east, which crosses the historic stonewall-lined Gap Mountain Road. Gap Mountain Reservation is leased to the State of NH and is managed as part of Monadnock State Park.
Help us care for this property by following these guidelines during your visit:
- This property is open dawn to dusk
- Carry out all trash
- Dogs must remain under control and owners must pack out all dog waste
- No motorized wheeled vehicles
- No camping
- No campfires
- Hunting and fishing are allowed
- Leave natural and cultural features undisturbed
