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The Hiking Trails
New Hampshire’s White Mountains, locally known as the
Whites, has long been one of the region’s most famous and iconic hiking
destinations. Groups of hikers have been flocking to this mountainous region
for a wilderness retreat. A good day of hiking at that.
In the white mountains, there are short hikes that require
minimal effort. These short hikes can take you to a waterfall or a spectacular
view. Longer hikes will take you to picturesque outlooks, lakes and ponds, and
stunning mountain summits!
So, what are the best White Mountain hikes? In fact, there
is no scarcity of routes here, and a number of routes are among the best
picturesque in the Northeast. Here are some of the best hiking trips in the
White Mountains.
The Black Cap Trail
Despite being slightly tougher than its neighbors, Black Cap Trail is a great option for those
looking for a bigger day out. Located in the 908-acre Conway Common Lands State
Forest, this 2.4-mile round-trip is considered a moderately challenging route.
This trail is an in-town summit hike. Head north from the town to arrive at the
trailhead on Hurricane Mountain Road. The main trail heads straight up the
side of Black Cap Mountain. The grade is fairly relaxed, making this a
reasonable hike. At about 0.8 miles from the start, you will arrive in a split
in the trail. This is where a narrow path, the Black Cap Summit Spur, follows left
to the peak. However, it is easier to stay on the Black Cap Trail, which follows a
wider, less rocky route to the summit and views of North Conway and Mount
Washington Valley.
Dogs: Leashed
The Mt. Chocorua – Champney Falls Route
Mount Chocorua is a popular 3,442-foot peak near North
Conway. It can be reached by numerous trails. However, going the Champney Falls Route is easily accessible via
Kancamagus Highway but is the most trafficked. This popular route is located in
Ferncroft, seventeen miles west of North Conway. It is a 7.2-mile out and back.
Summarily, it is a beautiful hike past waterfalls going to the summit. The level of
difficulty is Intermediate/difficult. Start the hike at Champney Falls Trail,
then cross the footbridge over Twin Brook. And then follow an old logging road
until you arrive at Champney Brook. Here the trail turns south. Then follow the
brook for about a mile. At the left of the junction with Pitcher and Champney
Falls Extension, a trail will lead you farther up the brook and past Pitcher
Falls. Continuing the hike from here, the trail turns away from the main brook
up to a smaller tributary to reach Champney Falls. This trail will eventually
rejoin the main trail. Furthermore, up 2.5 miles into the hike, the trail
begins to switch back and the climb is intense. Reaching the saddle, turn right
to Piper Trail which leads up to the summit of Mount Chocorua via rocky
outcrops. When done, enjoy first the views of the surrounding lakes, peaks, and
valleys, before retracing your steps back to the trailhead.
Dogs: Leashed
The Presidential Traverse
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| The Presidential Traverse |
The Presidential Traverse is one of the most iconic
hikes in the Whites, known for its rugged terrain and stunning views. Located at
Gorham, thirty-five miles from North Conway, this route is an 18.9-mile one-way
traverse, considered to be difficult. Going along the summit line of the
Presidential Range, this 19-mile, above-the-tree line hike is rocky, windy, and
often quite cold, even in summer. Understandably, strong hikers can tackle the
route in a single day. Otherwise, stay in one of the AMC huts to
turn it into a great overnight trip.
Normally the hike is from north to south. Day hikers should plan
to start trekking before dawn. Be ready for sun exposure, cold temperatures, high
winds, lightning, and precipitation in all forms. A headlamp is a must. Also,
you will need to figure out transportation. Several hiking groups park a car at
both ends and then shuttle themselves. But depending on your schedule, you can
also use the AMC
shuttle.
Start the trek at Randolph, New Hampshire, at the Valley
Way/Appalachia Trailhead, and take the Valley Way Trail south. This path weaves
through the thick forest as it gently climbs towards Snyder Brook, which it follows
briefly. Numerous trail intersections are dotted along this portion, so watch the
trail signs to make sure you stay on Valley Way. Following a couple of miles,
the grade steepens. Arriving at the trail junction in the saddle, stay left on
Star Lake Trail to reach Madison
Spring Hut. Here you can fill your water bottles.
Continuing from the hut, take Osgood Trail east, and push up
the talus field to the summit of Mount Madison. Do not hang around too long
because you have many more miles to go. Once you arrive at the summit, head
back the way you came to return to the hut where you will join the Gulfside
Trail. Sooner you will pop out of the forest and stay above the tree line for
most of the rest of the hike. The Gulfside Trail leads you to a well-known
ridgeline where you will turn left onto the Air Line Trail. This trail will
take you past Mount Quincy to Mount Adams. From the peak of Mount Adams,
descend to the west along Star Lake Trail. Heading east, you will end your hike
much too early. Alternatively, take a strong left turn onto Israel Ridge Path.
This path eventually merges with Gulfside Trail for about 0.4 miles. At the
split, stay left again to follow Gulfside Trail as it smoothly goes down the
ridge.
Lastly, since the trail is difficult with so many trails
here and there, there is no harm in being cautious, at times. This hike is not
an adventure for beginners - or even experienced ones if they are making their
first trip to the Whites.
Dogs: Leashed
The Pemi
Loop
The Pemi loop is too beautiful. Chock-full of sweeping,
above-tree-line views of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. This technical loop hike is
located thirty-six miles west of North Conway and is rated as a difficult hike.
This is a 30-mile-long loop, an exhausting and gorgeous backpacking trip. The trek
with roots, rocks, and plenty of steep sections requires scrambling most
hikers take a few days to complete its thirty miles loop.
Start the hike at the Lincoln Woods Parking Area off
Kancamagus Highway right next to the East Branch Pemigewasset River. Then cross
the bridge to reach the trailhead. From the bridge. From the bridge, take the
Lincoln Woods Trail north as it hugs the river. This former rail line is large
that ascends gradually. Continuing, first, tackle the most challenging terrain
by turning left at the first intersection onto Osseo Trail. The scrawny
singletrack tops up a narrow drainage. Three miles into the hike, the trail
steepens as the route climbs the ridgeline toward Mount Flume. Arriving at the
summit, continue straight onto Franconia Ridge Trail. From here, the trail
relaxes slightly as it follows the ridge to Mount Liberty, Little Haystack
Mountain, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Lafayette. The views all along this section
are sweeping and gorgeous.
At the top of Mount Lafayette, continue north onto Garfield
Ridge Trail. This trail goes down steeply from the summit. The steep descent
from this peak can be challenging. And although the trees close around you,
there are still a few nice views along the way to Mount Garfield. Additionally,
if needed, you cake take shelter halfway down where you can rest or make
camp. All the same, once you are down, the next two miles are relatively level
and welcoming. And you can then stop at Galehead
Hut, 15.7 miles into the hike, for water or shelter.
From the hut, continue to take the Twinway Trail, which
rises up almost 1,000 feet to the South Twin Mountain, in just over half a
mile. While the climb is exhausting and draining, you will be rewarded with 3.5 miles of level trail skirting the ridgeline between the bowls. At the
summit crossing of Mount Guyot and passing through Guyot Shelter about 19 miles into the hike, it is a
slight climb to the summit of Mount Bond. From here, take the Bondcliff Trail
down from the peak. At first, the trail descends steeply before following the
lower, rocky ridgeline for a half-mile. Continue traversing under the ridge and
begin descending the drainage of Black Brook. Upon reaching the East Branch
Pemigewasset River, the trail is level and relaxing. Once you cross Franconia Brook, the trail leaves the Wilderness area and becomes the Lincoln
Woods Trail. This will finally take you all the way back to the trailhead.
Dogs: Leashed
Want more adventures in the White Mountains? You can see first Trekking The New Hampshire’s White Mountains 1.
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