White Mountain National Forest
Presidential Traverse
White Mountains, New Hampshire
Distance
22 km
Duration
10–15 hours
Elevation gain
2,500 m
Difficulty
ExpertNo booking required — Free to hike; AMC hut stays NZD $135+ per person including meals
Best season
Mid-June to mid-September (snow-free summit season)
Check current trail conditions
Track closures, snow conditions, hut availability, and safety alerts update daily. Always check before departing.
About this trail
A single-day traverse of all six Presidential peaks in New Hampshire's White Mountains — Madison (1,636m), Adams (1,747m), Jefferson (1,741m), Clay, Washington (1,916m), Monroe, and Eisenhower. Mount Washington is the highest peak in the northeastern USA and holds the world record ground wind speed (372 km/h, April 1934). The above-treeline section is fully exposed to extreme and rapidly changing weather year-round. This is a serious alpine undertaking typically done by very fit, experienced hikers — not a casual day walk.
Highlights
- ✓Six Presidential peaks traversed in a single day
- ✓Mount Washington summit — weather observatory, summit café, and cog railway (for those who need an emergency way down)
- ✓Views across the White Mountains and into Maine, Vermont, and Quebec on clear days
- ✓AMC hut system — Madison Hut and Lake of the Clouds Hut for emergency shelter
🚌 Getting there
Start at Appalachia carpark on US Route 2 near Randolph, NH. Finish at Crawford Notch State Park or use the AMC shuttle. Approximately 2.5 hours from Boston.
🛖 Huts & accommodation
Madison Hut
Facilities
- ·AMC huts for emergency shelter and meals
- ·Summit facilities on Mount Washington (café, shop, weather observatory)
- ·Cog railway on Mount Washington (emergency descent option)
🎒 What to bring
- ·Full waterproofs including gloves and balaclava — Mount Washington weather is severe even in summer
- ·Navigation equipment (compass and map) — mist and cloud are common above treeline
- ·Emergency bivy bag
- ·Extra food and water (no water above treeline outside huts)
- ·Ice axe and crampons for any attempt before mid-June
Hazards & safety
- ·Mount Washington has claimed over 160 lives. Weather deteriorates from 'fine' to dangerous in under 15 minutes. Have an escape route plan.
- ·Summer thunderstorms build extremely rapidly over the summits. If thunder begins, descend immediately via the shortest route.
- ·The traverse is above treeline for approximately 18km — no shelter from exposed ridge except AMC huts.
- ·Not a beginner hike. Requires strong navigation, experience with rapidly changing mountain weather, and very good fitness.
📋 Know before you go
- 1.Mount Washington Observatory provides some of the best mountain weather forecasts available — check before any summit attempt: mountwashington.org/weather.
- 2.The cog railway provides a non-hiking route to Mount Washington summit for those who need an emergency descent (fee applies, schedules vary).
- 3.AMC huts must be booked 6+ months in advance for summer weekends.
🚨 Emergency contacts
US Emergency
911
AMC Hut Emergency
+1 603-466-2727
NH Fish and Game
+1 603-271-3361
Before you go
One-click links to the right sections — no searching required.
Adventure insurance
Covers helicopter evacuation, search & rescue, and medical costs. Check your policy covers this trail's altitude or multi-day duration.
World NomadsAllTrails Pro
Offline maps, elevation profiles, and turn-by-turn navigation. Most hikers on major trails use AllTrails. Works without signal.
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Don't want to navigate alone? Guided versions of this trail handle logistics, permits, and safety. Browse options on Viator.
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Official sources
Trail information here covers stable facts — distances, difficulty, gear, and what to expect. Current conditions (closures, snow levels, hut availability, permit quota) change regularly and must be checked at the official source before you depart.
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