Hiking Mount Washington New Hampshire: A Guide to Its Trails

Rising 6,288 feet above sea level, the majestic Mount Washington is the tallest peak in the Northeastern United States and is a climb that most outdoor enthusiasts aspire to do.

Despite its challenging terrain and unpredictable weather, thousands flock to the mountain yearly to enjoy its jaw-dropping, astonishing views and tick off a gorgeous yet intimidating hike on their bucket list. 

Like many peaks, there are many ways up, but they all have one thing in common: they aren’t for the faint-hearted. 

In this blog post, we’ll look at a few ways to get up Mount Washington, share our gear list with you, and give you a couple of safety reminders. 

The Many Trails of Mount Washington, New Hampshire

There’s no sugar coating it. There isn’t an easy way up Mount Washington. It doesn’t take remarkably long, as fit, uber-experienced hikers have made it up around two to three hours, but a more realistic estimate would be four. And that’s just one way.

Then, you’ll have to contend with the elevation gain. Each trail climbs about 4,000 feet in about 4 to 5 miles, which is a lot of up. 

Here you go. Choose your poison. 

1. Tuckerman Ravine Trail

Tuckerman Ravine is named after botanist Edward Tuckerman, who studied the area’s alpine environment in the 1830s and 1840s. 

The trail is the most popular way of getting up Mount Washington, which means you’ll probably be dealing with a bunch of people on the same route, especially during weekends and public holidays. Whether this is a good or bad thing is entirely up to you.

The trail starts at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, where you’ll be lulled into a false sense of security while enjoying a gentle ascent through lush forests before reaching Hermit Lake Shelter at about the 2.4-mile mark.

Here, you can enjoy the stunning views before pushing ahead to tackle the steep, rocky headwall that often requires full engagement of all four limbs. Soon, you’ll get down to the real business: the summit push.

You’ll be exposed to potentially hurricane-force winds and ever-changing, unpredictable weather whose violence has shocked even seasoned hikers. 

But fortune favors the bold, and the summit view cannot be described by mere words. We could say ‘incredible alpine scenery’ and ‘jaw-dropping summit views’, but it’s best if you see it for yourself. 

Once you get to the Mount Washington Auto Road, you’ll see where a bunch of cheaters (oops, we mean drivers) paid between $39 and $45 to enjoy what you sweated blood and tears for. You’ll also meet all the folks that took the Cog Railway up.

If you want a picture at the summit, you’ll have to join the queue made up of throngs of people. Urgh, but hey, the folks on the Adirondack Trail have to do it too.

The summit of Mount Washington has plenty of amenities like a post office, ranger station, cafeteria, and gift shops. The Mount Washington Observatory is also there, which is where the weather reports that keep us safe come from.

If you’ve had enough of the Disneyland crowds, head on back down on Tuckerman or one of the many other trails around. 

This legendary trail is a must-do for many, but do your homework and be prepared.

Distance: 8.2 miles out-back
Elevation Gain: over 4,000 feet
Approximate Time: 3 to 6 hours

2. Lion’s Head Trail 

A similar difficulty level and distance as Tuckerman’s, Lion’s Head is the second most popular trail up Mount Washington. It is particularly suited for winter ascents due to its consistent conditions and manageable grade, but beware of icy sections and avalanche hazards.

To start Lion’s Head, you take the Tuckerman’s trail from the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center for about 1.7 miles. That’s where you’ll hit a marked junction where you can turn right for Lion’s Head or stay straight for Tuckerman. Turn right, of course. 

Your path will be paved by little yellow markers and cairns, and soon, the trees will thin out. You’ll encounter steep, rocky sections with magnificent views of Tuckerman Ravine, the surrounding Presidential Range, and the summit of Mount Washington, which is so close yet oh-so-far! 

Keep ploughing forward, and you’ll eventually converge with the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, and then you’re pretty much there! Just like the Tuckerman trail, you’ll end up at the summit where there’s a bunch of amenities, you can pick the trail you want to take down. 

Distance: 8.4 miles out-back
Elevation Gain: 4,155 feet
Approximate Time: 5 to 7 hours 

3. Jewell Trail

The Jewell Trail is a lesser-known trail that is often used for a more gradual ascent and a gentler descent. Still, at 9.4 miles roundtrip and a 3,800 elevation gain, it isn’t a walk in the park.

The trailhead is near the base of the Mount Washington Cog Railway and begins gradually with a steady climb in a forest. After about two and a half miles, you’ll reach the treeline, which is where you’ll be treated with views of the Presidential Range, Ammonoosuc Ravine, and the Cog Railway. 

Then, you’ll go onwards through rocky terrain and connect with the Gulfside Trail, which eventually leads to the summit. 

This trail is less steep than Tuckerman or Lion’s Head, and you can avoid technical scrambling. The climbing is just as strenuous, but many hikers choose this way down to go easier on the knees. 

Distance: 9.4 miles out-back
Elevation Gain: 3,800 feet
Approximate Time: 5 to 8 hours

4. Ammonoosuc Trail

The Ammonoosuc Trail (or Ammo) is a beautiful trail that passes several waterfalls and scenic viewpoints. It starts at the base of the Mount Washington Cog Railway, and the first part follows the Ammonoosuc River, hence the name. ¼ mile before the Cog Railroad, there’s a hiker parking lot, but you can also pay $5 to park at the Cog, which will shave ½ a mile off your total. 

After about two miles, you’ll reach gorgeous cascades as well as Gem Pool, a crystal-clear waterfall and a nice spot for a snack.

It’s all business from then on, as the trail steepens dramatically and becomes more challenging, eventually reaching the Lake of the Clouds Hut that’s just above the treeline. 

You can choose to take a break or push on towards the summit via the Crawford Path, which is a section of the Appalachian Trail. If you are going to take a break cheak out the lake of clouds hut! You can also make a little side trip to Mount Monroe, which is a short 30 to 40-minute detour that climbs about 300 feet. 

After a seemingly never-ending rock field, you’ll reach the summit, which is the same summit that all trails (and roads) lead to, including the Cog Railway and the Auto Road. There, choose how you want to get down. 

Distance: 9.2 miles out-back
Elevation Gain: 3,900 feet
Approximate Time: 

5. Boott Spur Trail

Boott Spur is a 5,500-foot sub-peak that forms the southern headwall of Tuckerman Ravine. With steep, jagged rock and dramatic formations, this trail arguably has the best views of the surrounding alpine environment, but this has always been a hot debate! 

You’ll start along the Tuckerman Ravine Trail at Pinkham Notch Center and follow it for about 0.4 miles before branching off by taking the left. The trail then gets steep and rocky, with many sections that require some scrambling. 

Soon, you’ll clear the treeline and be treated with spectacular views of the Tuckerman Ravine. You’ll find yourself joining the Davis Path, where you can push for the summit via the Tuckerman Ravine Trail or the Crawford Path.

Distance: 10.4 miles out-back
Elevation Gain: 4,654 feet
Approximate Time: 5 to 7 hours

6. Huntington Ravine Trail

We saved the best (or worst, you pick) for last. 

The Huntington Ravine Trail is notoriously difficult, with many technical sections featuring steep, exposed scrambles, slippery rock slabs, scary ledges, and almost-vertical terrain. To some of us, this sounds like fun, but a fall in numerous places is likely to be deadly, so doing it on a clear, dry day is a non-negotiable must. 

You also start on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail and follow it to the Huntington junction at slightly over the 2-mile mark. There, the trail narrows and leads to the floor of the ravine. 

Pay attention when you get to a stream, as the trail crosses it, and you might blast past it without noticing. Look for yellow markers. They are few and far between, but they are there.

When you start seeing the headwall in the distance, you’ll soon find yourself at the ‘Fan’, which is a steep boulder field leading to the base of some slabs up the headwall. After some rock-to-rock hopping, you’ll have to scramble your way up the boulders and onto the slabby headwall. 

With a combination of scrambling, climbing, narrow rock ledges, and highly exposed cliffs, this is where it gets treacherous. Handholds are sparse, and you’ll need to rely almost entirely on your balance and footwork. A fall here could spell disaster and is not an option. 

After the scary, seemingly-impossible slabs, you’ll top out over the ravine, and the trail goes back to challenging but less scary scrambles. 

After a while, you’ll be rewarded by Alpine Meadow, where you can breathe easier and still your beating heart. At the Lion’s Head junction, you can head up to the summit in a final push. If crowds aren’t your thing, skip the Disneyland summit and take one of the many trails down. 

This route is often called ‘the most difficult trail in the White Mountains’, and that’s no mean feat. This is not a trail for novices, and even experienced hikers and mountaineers have had accidents.

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7. Take a Break and Explore the Lake of the Clouds Hut

Now, picture this: You've battled the climb, your knees are weak, and just when you think you're about to sprout wings and fly away, BAM! There it is—Lake of the Clouds Hut, nestled like a mountain sentinel at 5,012 feet. It's the perfect pitstop, or should I say oasis. Think of it as your reward for not giving up. Perched between Mount Washington and Mount Monroe, this hut is where hikers come to swap stories, refuel, and stare in awe at the lake', those stunning glacial tarns that mirror the Presidential Range like a perfectly filtered Instagram post.

If you’re lucky enough to be there during the summer, you can even score a bunk and a hot meal! Imagine that no cooking, just pure, unadulterated mountain bliss. But even if you’re just passing through, take a moment. Catch your breath, snap a few pics (because, let's be real, your followers need to see this), and soak in the views. On a clear day, you can see for miles, and trust us, it's worth every drop of sweat. Just remember, though, this is Mount Washington, so pack layers because even in summer, Mother Nature likes to keep things interesting. And, of course, keep that water bottle topped up. You'll thank us later.

Distance: 8.4 miles out-back
Elevation Gain: 4,200 feet
Approximate Time: 4 to 8 hours 

Gear For Hiking Mount Washington, New Hampshire

You probably already know all this, but here’s what we usually bring on a Mount Washington summit day. 

1. Headlamp. Better to have and not need than…..you get the idea.
2. First aid kit and emergency signaling device.
3. Cellphone, but coverage might be patchy.
4. Snacks, and water. Water refill points are currently at Pinkham, Hermit Lake Shelter, the summit, and Lake of the Clouds (during season). However, this is subject to change, so PLEASE CHECK.
5. Layers. It can be t-shirt weather when you start and full-on winter temps at the summit. 
6. Offline map or compass. Trails are fairly clearly marked, but it’s better to be over-prepared.
7. Weather protection and bug spray.
8. Hiking poles are optional, but they sure come in handy.

Safety Precautions When Hiking Mount Washington, New Hampshire 

Summits, ridges, and above-the-treeline trails are all extremely exposed, which will leave you open to crazy winds, heavy fog, freezing cold, and all the other elements that can result in a very bad day. 

In 1934, Mount Washington held the record for the highest natural wind speed, clocking in at a whopping 231 mph. There isn’t to scare you, but there have been numerous fatalities involving hikers in Mount Washington. The most common causes of accidents are hypothermia, heart attacks, and falling. 

Here are a few risk-minimizing precautions you can take, not only before challenging hikes like these but on all hikes. 

1. Mount Washington is known to have notoriously fickle weather. The Mount Washington Observatory tries their best, but Mother Nature can be unpredictable. Find out as much as you can about the weather, and make your plans accordingly.
2. Check with the locals and ranger stations on trail conditions, especially early in the season when many trails can still have icy sections or snow. If you’re attempting a trail that might be snow-covered, make sure you equip and prepare for it. 
3. Know your limits. Pushing them might be fun at times, but stumbling about on a trail that’s out of your league isn’t just torturing for you, it can be dangerous. 
4. Always let someone reliable know your plans and send a text or call when you reach home safely.
5. Make sure you have enough warm clothing, food, and water. 
6. Leave your ego at your doorstep. If it’s too much for you, turn around or pick another, more forgiving route.
7. As always, leave no trace. 

Final Thoughts 

We hope that we’ve done our part in adequately preparing you. We love summiting Mount Washington and do so several times each season, but regardless of the trail you choose to take, it isn’t a walk in the park.

If you have a decent fitness level and some experience, you can take the Tuckerman, Lion’s Head, Boott Spur, or Ammo trails. Jewell is known to be the gentlest way up or down, but it, too, requires a moderate level of fitness. 

Huntington Ravine should only be attempted by experienced hikers who have previously done several big ascents and are comfortable with getting into risky situations. 

If you have any other questions on climbing Mount Washington (or any other hiking information), zip us a note. At Gidana Getaways, we love our nature and look forward to sharing it with you!