Difficulty: Strenuous

Round-trip Distance: 1.20 miles

Trail Markings: Yellow Rectangles

Trail Directions:

Eagle Cliff Trailhead

Maintained by the Squam Lakes Association, the Eagle Cliff Trail climbs 600 feet in ½ mile to open ledges that offer sweeping views west across Squam Lake and north to the Sandwich Range of the White Mountains. The trail begins on the east side of Bean Road in Sandwich just north of the Moultonborough/Sandwich town line. The start of the trail is not on Forest Society land, so please stay on the trail. At .3 mile the trail divides at the lower ledges. The right fork offers a more gradual climb around the base of the lower ledges, making a wide detour around the most difficult part and rejoining the main trail after .2 miles. This is the best route in wet or icy conditions. The left fork climbs steeply .1 mile up the cliffs, requiring some hand-over-hand scrambling, then rejoins the right branch. From this upper junction, the trail ascends the ledges, angling to the left to reach the main viewpoint on Eagle Cliff at 1,200 feet elevation and .5 miles from the road. (The rock scrambles on the upper part of the main trail can pose problems to even seasoned hikers, especially on the decent.) The trail ascends another ledge that offers additional views, then descends slightly to a flat area at 1.0 mile, where it joins the Teedie Trail. From here hikers may choose to descend down the Teedie Trail, which comes back onto Bean Rd. about .4 mi south of the Eagle Cliff Trail, or to continue along the Eagle Cliff Trail to the fire tower.

"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”