Hiking Victor Head from Christine Lake in Stark, New Hampshire
North Country Views - Hiking Victor Head from Christine Lake in Stark, NH
Victor Head is a short, quiet, and rewarding hike in Stark, New Hampshire’s North Country. Beginning at Christine Lake, this moderate out-and-back follows the Old Summer Club Trail and the Cohos Trail through old logging roads and mixed forest before climbing the steep Victor Head Spur to the summit and ledges with views toward Christine Lake, the Percy Peaks, the Pilot Range, Kilkenny Ridge, and the Stark Valley.
This is a great hike when you want to get out without committing to a full-day White Mountains objective. The route is about 5 miles round trip with roughly 1,080 feet of elevation gain. Much of the mileage is relatively moderate, but the final 0.4-mile Victor Head Spur is steep and rocky enough to make the viewpoint feel earned.
Victor Head Hike at a Glance
Map: White Mountains Map and AllTrails
Trailhead: Christine Lake Road, Stark, New Hampshire (Google Maps)
Route: Old Summer Club Trail to Victor Head Spur, returning the same way
Distance: About 5 miles round trip
Elevation gain: About 1,100 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail type: Out-and-back
Highlights: Christine Lake, Devil’s Rest Shelter, old logging roads, Cohos Trail access, rocky final climb, Percy Peaks views, and ledges overlooking the Stark Valley
Starting at Christine Lake
The hike begins at the Christine Lake Recreation Area in Stark, where parking is available beside the lake in a public parking. Christine Lake is a popular destination for swimming, boating, and fishing in warmer weather, so the small parking area fills up fast during busy summer days. The trail itself does not follow the shoreline at all, but the lake makes a scenic start and finish for the hike.
From the parking area, walk back toward the entrance road and turn onto Summer Club Road. This road provides access to the lakeside cabins and is the beginning of the Old Summer Club Trail. After a short walk on the road, the trail veers to the right and turns onto working forest roads. Pay attention to trail signs at the early junctions, since several woods roads and trail corridors meet in this area.
The early walk is generally gentle and follows wide old roads through actively managed forest, before continuing onto a quieter, older logging road that begin to climb gradually toward Victor Head. The grade is steady but not especially difficult, making this a good warm-up.
Devil’s Rest Shelter
About a mile into the hike, a signed spur on the left leads to Devil’s Rest Shelter. The shelter is worth the short detour, especially if you enjoy seeing the Cohos Trail’s backcountry infrastructure or are considering a longer trip in this part of northern New Hampshire.
Devil’s Rest is a well-maintained backcountry shelter with a bear box and privy. A water source is located below the shelter, so hikers planning to stay overnight should collect and treat water before heading up to camp. Even if you are only hiking Victor Head, it is a pleasant place to stop, take a break, and appreciate how quiet this corner of the North Country can feel.
Return to the Old Summer Club Trail after visiting the shelter and continue northwest toward Victor Head.
Old Summer Club Trail
Beyond the shelter spur, the trail continues through woods and crosses the grassy Jimmy Cole Brook Road. The intersection can be a bit confusing - but you’ll want to cross the broad road directly and look for the yellow blazed Old Summer Club Trail and Cohos Trail continuing into the woods on the far side.
The Old Summer Club Trail/Cohos Trail continues on an older, less-used road grade and climbs gradually through mixed forest. This section is generally easy to follow, but it feels more remote than the opening road walk. The trail passes a very large boulder just after the trail junction and begins gaining elevation more consistently as it approaches the Victor Head Spur junction.
The section of the Old Summer Club Trail is part of the Cohos Trail, a long-distance route that runs through northern New Hampshire. If you continued past the Victor Head Spur, the trail would eventually lead toward the Percy Peaks and onward through the Nash Stream Valley toward Dixville Notch and the Canadian border.
For this hike, though, we’ll only be following the Cohos Trail to the Victor Head Spur.
The Victor Head Spur
The Victor Head Spur is short, but it is the most demanding part of the route. The spur climbs about 0.4 miles from the Old Summer Club Trail to the top of Victor Head, gaining elevation quickly through a thick spruce forest.
Expect a steady, steep, climb with footing that becomes more uneven as you climb. The trail is not difficult, but it is much steeper than the Old Summer Club Trail and can be slippery when wet.
At the top, you will find a small summit canister. The main summit viewpoint toward the Percy Peaks has become more filtered by tree growth over time, but it remains a lovely look toward North and South Percy that isn’t replicated on other nearby peaks.
Victor Head Ledges
Before heading back down the Victor Head Spur, take the short side path that drops down the north side of the summit to the open ledges. This small detour is absolutely worth it and offers the best views of the hike.
From the ledges, you can look down over Christine Lake and across the Stark Valley toward the Kilkenny Ridge. The ledges are mossy and can be slick, so use care around the edges, especially after rain or when leaves cover the rock.
This is a good place to stop for a snack, enjoy the quiet, and take in a part of New Hampshire that feels far removed from the more crowded trailheads and trails.
Returning to Christine Lake
To return, retrace the Victor Head Spur back to the junction with the Old Summer Club Trail. Turn left to head back toward Christine Lake. The route follows the same gradual old roads and trail segments used on the approach, crossing Jimmy Cole Brook Road, passing the junction for Devil’s Rest Shelter, and reconnecting with Summer Club Road near the lake.
Victor Head Planning Notes
Victor Head is a moderate hike, but it is not an entirely casual walk. The old logging-road approach is gradual, while the final spur is steep enough to require solid footing and attention.
Parking is limited: Christine Lake is popular in warm weather, and the small lot near the beach and boat launch fills fast. There is no other parking available beside the small lot.
Check for ticks: Ticks can be present even in northern New Hampshire, especially in the grassy sections of this hike. Wear repellent or treated clothing and do a full tick check after your hike.
Bring a map: Several old roads, snowmobile routes, and trail connectors meet near the start of the hike. Trail signage is helpful, but a current map or downloaded route comes in very handy.
Visit Devil’s Rest Shelter: The short spur is optional but worthwhile. Devil’s Rest is a beautiful Cohos Trail shelter that should be experienced.
Use caution on the spur: The Victor Head Spur is steep and rocky, with mossy ledges.
Treat any water: If you collect water near Devil’s Rest Shelter or elsewhere along the route, filter or treat it before drinking.
Final Thoughts
Victor Head is an excellent choice when you want a quieter hike in northern New Hampshire with a good view payoff. The walk from Christine Lake follows a mix of old logging roads before the short but steep Victor Head Spur delivers you to ledges above the Stark Valley.
It is not the biggest mountain in the White Mountains, and it does not need to be. Victor Head offers a peaceful trail, a real climb, a chance to visit a well-kept backcountry shelter, and views of Christine Lake and the Percy Peaks that make it a great hike.
For More Information About the Victor Head Hike
More Hikes near Victor Head
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Important Hiking Considerations:
Weather: Check the weather forecast before your hike and be prepared for changes in conditions.
Safety: Some sections of trail can be steep and rocky, others can be muddy, so use caution and always watch your footing.
Leave No Trace: As with any outdoor activity, remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Pack out any trash, stay on the trail, and be respectful of the natural environment.
