The White Mountains of New Hampshire are home to some of the most spectacular hiking in the northeastern United States. With 48 peaks over 4,000 feet (the "NH 48"), dramatic alpine terrain above treeline, and trails ranging from easy strolls to brutal scrambles, the Whites offer something for every hiker.
This guide covers the 15 best hikes in the White Mountains, organized by difficulty level, with everything you need to know including distance, elevation gain, trail conditions, and insider tips.
Best Beginner-Friendly White Mountains Hikes
1. Mount Willard (3.2 miles, 900 ft gain)
Why it's great: Easiest spectacular view in the Whites
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time: 2-3 hours
- Best for: Families, first-time White Mountain hikers
- Season: May-October
The hike: Starting from Crawford Notch, this well-maintained trail offers a stunning reward-to-effort ratio. The climb is steady but never too steep, following an old railroad grade before climbing to the exposed ledges of Mount Willard.
The view: 180° panorama of Crawford Notch with the Southern Presidentials as your backdrop. On clear days, you can see Mount Washington.
Tips:
- Get there early on weekends (lots of crowds)
- Exposed ledge at top—watch kids and dogs
- Great sunset hike if you bring headlamps
- Winter hiking possible with microspikes
2. Diana's Baths (1.2 miles, 200 ft gain)
Why it's great: Beautiful waterfalls, perfect for hot days, kid-friendly
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 1 hour
- Best for: Families with young children, swimming
- Season: Year-round (best in summer)
The hike: Short, nearly flat walk to a series of waterfalls and pools perfect for swimming and picnicking. The smooth rock faces create natural water slides.
Tips:
- Very crowded on summer weekends
- Bring water shoes for exploring
- $5 parking fee (WMNF parking pass)
- Rocks can be slippery—supervise children closely
Classic White Mountains Day Hikes
3. Mount Chocorua via Champney Falls (8.0 miles, 2,500 ft gain)
Why it's great: One of the most photographed mountains in the world
- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
- Time: 5-6 hours
- Best for: Experienced day hikers
- Season: June-October
The hike: A well-graded trail leads through beautiful forest, past Champney Falls, to the exposed rocky summit with 360° views. The final ascent involves easy scrambling on open ledges.
The view: Arguably the best summit view in New Hampshire—Lakes Region, Presidential Range, Mount Washington, and endless mountains in all directions.
Tips:
- Exposed above treeline—turn back if storms approach
- Very popular—start early for parking
- Many hikers underestimate this one—bring plenty of water
- The rock scramble is easier than it looks
4. Mount Monadnock (4.0-5.0 miles, 1,900 ft gain)
Why it's great: Most climbed mountain in America, spectacular 360° views
- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
- Time: 3-5 hours
- Best for: Hikers seeking a challenge with big views
- Season: Year-round
Routes:
- White Dot Trail: Shortest (3.8 miles) but steepest
- White Cross Trail: Longer (4.4 miles) with easier grade
- Loop option: Up White Dot, down White Cross
The summit: Completely bald rock summit with views of six states on clear days.
Tips:
- Extremely popular—100,000+ hikers per year
- Go midweek or arrive before 7 AM on weekends
- $5 parking fee at state park
- Lots of exposed rock scrambling
- Can be crowded at summit
Presidential Range: The Crown Jewels
5. Mount Washington via Tuckerman Ravine (8.8 miles, 4,300 ft gain)
Why it's great: Highest peak in the Northeast, legendary trail, incredible alpine zone
- Difficulty: Very Strenuous
- Time: 7-10 hours
- Best for: Experienced hikers in excellent shape
- Elevation: 6,288 feet
- Season: June-September for most hikers
The hike: The most popular route up Mount Washington gains over 4,000 feet in less than 5 miles. You'll hike through forest, past Hermit Lake, into the dramatic Tuckerman Ravine, then scramble up the headwall to the alpine zone.
Above treeline: The final 1.5 miles is fully exposed alpine terrain with cairns marking the route. The weather here is notoriously severe—winds can exceed 100 mph even in summer.
Weather facts:
- World record wind: 231 mph (1934)
- Average wind speed on summit: 35 mph
- Can snow any month of the year
- Temperature drops 3-5°F per 1,000 ft elevation gain
Tips:
- Start by 6 AM—afternoon thunderstorms common
- Bring full winter gear even in summer (wind, rain, cold)
- Check Mount Washington Observatory forecast
- Many hikers turn back—don't push beyond your limits
- Cafeteria at summit (seriously!)
- You can take Cog Railway down if exhausted ($80)
⚠️ Warning: Over 150 people have died on Mount Washington. Respect the mountain and turn around if weather deteriorates.
View Mount Washington Trail Details →6. Franconia Ridge Loop (8.9 miles, 3,800 ft gain)
Why it's great: Best ridge walk in New England, stunning 360° views for miles
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Time: 6-8 hours
- Best for: Strong hikers seeking iconic White Mountains experience
- Season: Late June-October
The loop: Ascend via Falling Waters Trail (waterfalls), traverse the exposed Franconia Ridge (Mounts Lincoln and Lafayette), descend via Greenleaf Trail. Two 4000-footers and nearly 2 miles of above-treeline ridge walking.
The ridge: Once you reach treeline at Little Haystack, you'll hike an exposed ridge for 1.7 miles with nothing but sky around you. On clear days, this is the most spectacular hike in the Northeast.
Tips:
- Most popular hike in New Hampshire—arrive before 6 AM on weekends
- Parking lot overflows by 7 AM in summer/fall
- Exposed to weather—turn back if storms approach
- Clockwise direction recommended (easier descent)
- Bring sun protection—no shade on ridge
- Fall foliage season is mobbed but spectacular
Challenging Peak Bagging Adventures
7. Mount Bond & Bondcliff (19.2 miles, 4,700 ft gain)
Why it's great: Remote wilderness feel, one of the best cliff edges in Whites
- Difficulty: Very Strenuous (very long day)
- Time: 10-14 hours
- Best for: Experienced hikers, potential overnight
The adventure: This epic hike takes you deep into the Pemigewasset Wilderness to one of the most dramatic cliff edges in the White Mountains. Bondcliff's summit sits at the edge of a 1,000-foot cliff face.
Tips:
- Consider making this a backpacking trip—campsites near Guyot shelter
- Start very early if doing as day hike (4-5 AM)
- One of the most remote 4000-footers—plan accordingly
- Spectacular fall foliage
8. Presidential Traverse (23 miles, 9,000 ft gain)
Why it's great: The ultimate White Mountains challenge—7 4000-footers in one push
- Difficulty: Extreme (one of hardest day hikes in Northeast)
- Time: 12-18 hours
- Peaks: Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Clay, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower
- Best for: Elite hikers or overnight backpackers
The challenge: Covering the entire Presidential Range from Madison to Pierce (or vice versa), this hike includes miles of exposed alpine terrain and nearly 9,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain.
Tips:
- Most people do as 2-3 day backpacking trip
- If attempting in one day: ultra-fit hikers only, perfect weather required
- North-to-south recommended (Madison hardest—do while fresh)
- Car spot required (or arranged shuttle)
- Huts available for overnight stays (book far in advance)
Waterfalls & Swimming Holes
9. Arethusa Falls (2.8 miles, 850 ft gain)
Why it's great: Tallest waterfall in New Hampshire (200+ feet)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time: 2-3 hours
- Best for: Families, waterfall lovers
- Best season: Spring (peak flow) or after heavy rain
The falls: At 200 feet, Arethusa Falls is the tallest single-drop waterfall in New Hampshire. The trail follows Bemis Brook with smaller falls along the way.
Tips:
- Can combine with Frankenstein Cliff for longer loop
- Falls can be a trickle in late summer
- Ice climbing destination in winter
Less Crowded Gems
10. Mount Carrigain via Signal Ridge (10.0 miles, 3,500 ft gain)
Why it's great: Best 360° view in the Whites, historic fire tower
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Time: 7-9 hours
- Best for: Strong hikers seeking quieter trail
The summit: Climb the restored fire tower for one of the best panoramic views in New England. See the entire Pemigewasset Wilderness, Franconia Ridge, and the Presidentials.
Why less crowded: Long approach keeps casual hikers away, but reward is worth it.
View Mount Carrigain Trail Details →11. Mount Osceola & East Osceola (6.8 miles, 2,100 ft gain)
Why it's great: Shorter 4000-footer loop, rock chimney scramble
- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
- Time: 5-6 hours
- Best for: Hikers wanting two 4000-footers in moderate mileage
The adventure: Two peaks in one moderate day. The descent from East Osceola includes a fun rock chimney scramble (can be challenging in wet conditions).
View Mount Osceola Trail Details →Winter Hiking Classics
12. Welch-Dickey Loop (4.5 miles, 1,800 ft gain)
Why it's great: Best beginner-friendly loop, open ledges with views
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time: 3-4 hours
- Best for: Families, first-time Whites hikers, great in any season
The loop: A perfect introduction to White Mountains hiking. Ascend via Welch Mountain's open ledges, cross to Dickey, descend through forest. Lots of open views for relatively little effort.
Why it's special:
- Low elevation means earlier/later season hiking
- Exposed ledges are less intimidating than big peaks
- True loop—always interesting
- Great for winter hiking (microspikes usually sufficient)
White Mountains Trail Planning Tips
Best Time to Hike
- Peak season: July-September (best weather, all trails clear)
- Mud season: April-May (trails very muddy, some snow lingering)
- Fall foliage: Late September-early October (spectacular but very crowded)
- Winter: December-March (advanced hikers only, full winter gear required)
Permits & Parking
- WMNF Parking Pass required: $5/day or $30/year
- Purchase at: Trailheads, visitor centers, or online at fs.usda.gov
- AMC huts: Book far in advance (6+ months for summer weekends)
- Camping: Permit required above treeline, designated sites in Wilderness areas
Safety Considerations
- Weather: Changes rapidly, especially above treeline
- Navigation: Bring map and compass—GPS can fail
- Water: Giardia present in streams—filter/purify all water
- Bears: Hang food or use bear canisters when camping
- Cell service: Spotty to none on most trails
What to Bring
- The 10 Essentials (see our safety guide)
- Extra layers—summits 20-30°F colder than trailheads
- Rain gear even on sunny days
- Plenty of food and water
- Headlamp (days are short in shoulder seasons)
Your White Mountains Adventure Awaits
From the gentle slopes of Mount Willard to the extreme challenge of the Presidential Traverse, the White Mountains offer world-class hiking for every ability level. The trails are well-maintained, the views are spectacular, and the mountain culture is welcoming to newcomers.
Start with the easier hikes, learn the terrain, understand the weather patterns, and work your way up to the bigger challenges. The 4000-footers will still be there when you're ready.
Remember: The White Mountains are serious mountains despite being in the Northeast. People die here every year from hypothermia, falls, and getting lost. Always check the weather, bring the 10 essentials, and don't be afraid to turn around.
Explore These Trails
Browse our complete database of New Hampshire trails with verified trail data, detailed maps, and current conditions:
