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Appalachian Trail

Nearly 300 miles of excellent hiking and backpacking opportunities can be found along the Appalachian Trail through NH and VT.
Trail Activity
Hiking
Length
297.40 miles, One Way
Difficulty
Moderate, Advanced, Strenuous
Towns
Barnard (VT), Beans Grant (NH), Beans Purchase (NH), Benton (NH), Bethlehem (NH), Bridgewater (VT), Chandlers Purchase (NH), Franconia (NH), Glastenbury (VT), Hanover (NH), Hart's Location (NH), Hartford (VT), Killington (VT), Lincoln (NH), Low & Burbanks (NH), Lyme (NH), Manchester (VT), Mendon (VT), Mount Tabor (VT), Norwich (VT), Orford (NH), Peru (VT), Piermont (NH), Pinkham's Grant (NH), Pomfret (VT), Pownal (VT), Sargents Purchase (NH), Shelburne (NH), Shrewsbury (VT), Stamford (VT), Stockbridge (VT), Stratton (VT), Success (NH), Sunderland (VT), Thompson & Meserve (NH), Wallingford (VT), Warren (NH), Wentworth (NH), Winhall (VT), Woodford (VT), Woodstock (NH), Woodstock (VT)
Surface
Packed Earth/Dirt, Rock/Ledge, Road, Paved, Road, Unpaved
Pets
Permitted on leash
Fees
No

Description

HIGH USE TRAIL:

This is a busy trail system, especially on weekends between 9AM-4PM. Consider visiting outside of peak periods. Use Trail Finder to identify other nearby trails. If the parking lot is full when you arrive, please choose another trail. 

Learn more about high use trail systems.

New Hampshire:

The highlight of the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire is the beautiful, rugged White Mountains, the dramatic scenery of which attracts more backcountry visitors than any other part of the Trail. Travel here requires intelligent planning and ample time; plan no more than five to eight miles per day. Be prepared for steep ascents and descents that require the use of your hands and, occasionally, the seat of your pants.

Much of the Trail is above timberline, where the temperature may change very suddenly; snow is possible in any season. The same severe weather conditions that prevent trees from growing on the high ridges also require a higher level of preparedness for a safe, successful hiking trip. Snow falls on Mt. Washington during every month of the year. High winds and dense fog are common. Most shelters and campsites charge a fee.

The White Mountains section stretches 117 miles from the Maine-New Hampshire state line to Glencliff, New Hampshire. Organized groups can reduce their chances of arriving at already-crowded sites by contacting the local trail clubs about group voluntary registration programs.

Between the White Mountains and the Vermont border, the Trail crosses broken terrain of alternating mountains and valleys. This 44-mile stretch is noted for its fall foliage and is a good alternative to the crowds and steep scrambles of the Whites.

New Hampshire at a Glance:

  • The AT covers 161 Miles in New Hampshire.
  • Elevation ranges from 400 to 6,288 feet.
  • Best time to visit the White Mountains: July and August.
  • Best time to visit Southern New Hampshire, between the White Mountains and the Connecticut River: June through September.

Vermont:

Between the Connecticut River and the Green Mountains, the Appalachian Trail passes through high, rugged country with woods and overgrown farmlands. From "Maine Junction" (near US 4) south, the AT follows about one hundred miles of the famed “Long Trail” along the rugged crest of the Green Mountains.

The Trail approaches treeline at Killington and Stratton Mountains, and parts feature strenuous ascents. But, in general, Vermont hiking crosses varied terrain, at lower to mid-range elevations with a fair amount of elevation gain and loss. It passes through forests of paper birch and white pine, wooded mountains, and farm valleys. Some overnight sites charge a fee.

Avoid Vermont trails in "mud season," mid-April through Memorial Day. Hiking there in wet, sloppy conditions leads to serious trail erosion. Organized groups can reduce their chances of arriving at already-crowded sites by contacting the local trail clubs about group voluntary registration programs.

Vermont at a Glance:

  • The AT covers 150 miles in Vermont.
  • Elevation ranges from 400 to 4,010 feet.
  • Best time to visit: June through September. Avoid Vermont trails in "mud season," mid-April through Memorial Day

Other Information

The Appalachian Trail, completed in 1937:

  • Is a unit of the National Park System 
  • Is the nation's longest marked footpath, at over 2,190 miles
  • Is the first completed national scenic trail, designated in 1968.
  • Crosses six other units of the National Park System.
  • Traverses eight National Forests.
  • Touches 14 states.
  • Houses more than 2,000 occurrences of rare, threatened, endangered, and sensitive plant and animal species at about 535 sites.
  • Crosses numerous state and local forests and parks.

Trail Manager

The Appalachian Trail is managed in cooperation between land managing agencies, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and trail maintaining clubs.

In Vermont, the trail passes through the Green Mountain Finger Lakes National Forest and is maintained by the Green Mountain Club. From the Massachusetts-Vermont line to Killington, the AT co-aligns with the Long Trail.

In New Hampshire, the trail passes through land managed by the White Mountain National Forest. The Dartmouth Outing Club maintains the trail from the Connecticut River to Mt. Moosilauke. From there to the Maine-New Hampshire border, the Appalachian Mountain Club takes on maintenance responsibility, except for a short section in the northern Presidentials, which is maintained by the Randolph Mountain Club

Visit Appalachian Trail Conservancy online for more information or contact:

Appalachian Mountain Club

Appalachian Mountain Club
P.O. Box 298
361 Route 16
Gorham, NH 03581
Phone: 603-466-2721
AMCinformation@outdoors.org
View website

Appalachian Trail Conservancy - New England Regional Office

Appalachian Trail Conservancy - New England Regional Office
PO Box 649
Hartford, VT 05047
nero@appalachiantrail.org
View website

Randolph Mountain Club

Randolph Mountain Club
P.O. Box 279
Gorham, NH 03581
View website

Dartmouth Outing Club

Dartmouth Outing Club
PO Box 9
Hanover, NH 03755
Phone: (603) 646-1607
Outdoor.Programs@dartmouth.edu
View website

Green Mountain Club

Green Mountain Club
4711 Waterbury-Stowe Rd.
Waterbury Center, VT 05677
Phone: (802) 244-7037
gmc@greenmountainclub.org
View website

Trail Tips

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Avoid hypothermia, even in warm weather, by limiting your sweat and exposure to cold water. Bring warm and dry clothes in case the shivers set in.
Legend
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Trailhead Information

There are many trailheads available in the region to access the AT. Please see the map or visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Website for more info.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
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