Mount Washington is home to a rich network of hiking trails. Whether climbing New England's highest peak or seeking a shorter adventure, Pinkham Notch is a popular access area with a Visitor Center and wide variety of trail experiences available.
Tuckerman Ravine Trail: One of the most popular and iconic routes up Mount Washington, the 3.9 mile Tuckerman Ravine Trail climbs up into the bowl of Tuckerman Ravine to Hermit Lake and continues up the steep face of the ravine to the summit cone of Mount Washington above. Leaving from the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, the trail climbs steadily along the Cutler River and past Crystal Cascade to the Hermit Lake Shelters in 2.3 miles. Campsites are available year-round on a first-come-first-served basis, with a year-round caretaker present. Continuing up into the ravine, in 1.0 miles the trail reaches the base of the headwall and climbs steeply. Above the headwall, continue through Tuckerman Junction on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to ascend the final 0.5 miles to the summit.
Lion Head Trail: A popular alternate summit route, the Lion Head Trail begins just below Hermit Lake Shelters, leaving the Tuckerman Ravine Trail 2.2 miles from the trailhead. The Lion Head Trail climbs steeply and in 0.6 miles gains the ridgetop prominence known as Lion Head. From there, the trail climbs steadily uphill 0.6 miles to rejoin the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, leading the final 0.3 miles to the summit.
Boott Spur Trail: The 2.5 mile Boott Spur Trail is another popular summit route via the south ridge of Tuckerman Ravine and following the historic Davis Path to the summit of Mount Washington. Beginning from the Visitor's Center, follow the Tuckerman Ravine Trail 0.4 miles uphill and turn left onto the Boott Spur Trail.
Lower Elevation Hikes: For a shorter day-hike, popular trips from Pinkham Notch include hiking up to Crystal Cascades and Hermit Lake via the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, and visiting Glen Boulder via the Glen Boulder Trail.
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Mount Washington State Park:
Occupying 60 acres on the summit of the Northeast's highest peak, Mount Washington State Park is surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest and, one a clear day, affords views that extend as far as 130 miles to Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Quebec, and the Atlantic Ocean. The Sherman Adams building, a modern summit building, houses The Sherman Adams Visitor Center, a cafeteria, restrooms, gift shops, the Mount Washington Observatory and its museum. The historic Tip-Top House is located adjacent to the summit building. Visitor services are only available during the summer hiker season.
Learn more about the park and visitor services from NHSP's Mount Washington State Park web page.
These trails are managed jointly by the White Mountains National Forest and NH State Parks and maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club. For more information, contact:
Pinkham Notch Trailhead: From North Conway, New Hampshire, head north on US-16 for 5.4 miles and turn right in Glen to continue north on US-16 towards Pinkham Notch. In 12 miles, turn left into the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center.
Direttissima Trailhead: Hikers can reach the trailhead by using the Direttissima Trail parking area 0.1 miles south of the Pinkham Notch Visitors Center on the same (west) side of the road, or simply parking at the Visitors Center and following the access trail at the south end of the parking lot.
Glen Ellis Falls Trailhead: From North Conway, New Hampshire, head north on US-16 for 5.4 miles and turn right in Glen to continue north on US-16 towards Pinkham Notch. In 11.2 miles, turn left into the parking area for the Glen Ellis Falls Trailhead.
The trails up Mount Washington are strenuous, and weather on the exposed alpine summit can be harsh and unpredictable.
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