The Horn is a 3,905-foot summit in the Pilot Range of northern New Hampshire's Coös County, sitting on the Kilkenny Ridge between The Bulge to the southwest and Unknown Pond to the northeast. Despite occupying heavily forested terrain, its exposed rocky pinnacle yields some of the best views in the range: a wide sweep across northeastern New Hampshire, the Nash Stream Forest, and clear-day glimpses of Vermont. The pond's shoreline also provides a striking reverse view, looking up at the summit cone rising above dark boreal water.
The typical approach from the Berlin Fish Hatchery trailhead follows the Unknown Pond Trail and Kilkenny Ridge Trail, then a 0.3-mile spur that climbs 250 feet to the open ledges. The summit is composed of large boulders that require straightforward scrambling to reach the high point; the moves are manageable for most hikers but can feel awkward with a heavy pack. A common loop combines The Horn with The Bulge and Mount Cabot for roughly 11.5 miles and 2,500 feet of gain, with an overnight option at Cabot Cabin on the ridge.
The Horn lies in a remote section of Coös County, well north of the busier White Mountain trailheads. Snow lingers on the shaded approach trail and summit rocks into spring, and the distance from populated areas means self-sufficiency matters more here than at more accessible peaks. The trailhead parking at the Fish Hatchery has limited hours, so an early start is advisable.
