About the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire
Overview
160.9 miles*
Set foot on any stretch of trail in New Hampshire and you’ll soon understand why it’s known as, “The Granite State.”
Rock formations are ubiquitous and responsible for the state’s unforgettable vistas. It is a hiker’s paradise, treating you with long stretches along mountain streams and above tree line, where you can scamper above the valley fog and delight in views spanning hundreds of miles.
The Appalachian Trail leads over the spines of three impressive ranges — the Franconia Range, the Presidential Range, and the Carter-Moriah Range — before crossing the Androscoggin River and entering Maine.
Selected Highlights
Franconia Ridge
Much like the Presidentials, Franconia Ridge features long sections of exposed ridgeline, where there is no escape from poor weather conditions. You need to choose your traversing days carefully, but the hike across Lincoln and Lafayette mountains (seen here from the summit of The Flume) is simply stunning.
Presidential Range
The Presidential peaks create an inspiring set of milestones before you: Jackson, Pierce, Eisenhower, Franklin, Monroe, Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Adams, and Quincy Adams. Many AT hikers arrange to “slack pack” this section, meaning they carry a day pack instead of trying to tackle the significant ups and downs with all of their hiking gear along for the ride.
Zealand Notch
Zealand Notch – While the rails that ran into Zealand Notch from the mid-1880s to 1900 are long gone, the wide, gentle trails that remain in their stead provide exceptional access to the mountains deep within the National Forest’s boundaries.
* 2006-2011 data compiled by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
Best Section Hikes in New Hampshire
Presidential Traverse (S to N) 24 miles
This one isn’t for the out-of-shape or unprepared. In fact, if you are either, it can be dangerous. The alternative is to utilize Appalachian Mountain Club White Mountain Huts, which provide food and shelter along the way. At 6288′, Mount Washington sits where three weather patterns converge. The highest land speed ever recorded on earth happened here, so you can appreciate how quickly the weather can change. There is no camping allowed above treeline either, so you need to plan carefully. (More details above.) You can also check the weather in advance by visiting the Mount Washington Observatory website.
Franconia Ridge 24 miles
Another fantastic two dozen mile New Hampshire walk is to be found in the Franconia Range. Where else can you take a hike on a historic railroad bed as a warmup, then shoot up 3,000 feet to walk over impressive granite and spruce-topped mountains? The views are hard-earned, but they are among the best on the whole AT.
It probably goes without saying, but the ascents and descents in the White Mountains (and New England in general) may require you to reconsider how far you can cover in a day. This is rugged trail over high peaks and the going can be slow due to the terrain and the weather. Slow and steady is the approach I recommend.
Shuttles in New Hampshire
Because New Hampshire is such a popular hiking destination, there are a few shuttle services to choose from. The Appalachian Mountain Club offers extensive shuttle coverage in the Whites. Click here to learn more. If you are extending your trip beyond the AMC’s coverage area (as in, continuing on the AT), the Appalachian Trail Conservancy publishes an up-to-date list of trail shuttle providers. You may also find my blog post on Loop Hikes and Trail Shuttles helpful.
Get Ready to Hike the AT
Interested in hiking the AT? You may find Appalachian Odyssey a useful resource. I section-hiked the AT over nearly three decades with a good friend and we learned a lot! Includes profile maps of all 28 section hikes, 80+ color photos and a great feel for what it’s like to hike the various sections.
Interested in the history of the AT? How the trail came into being is the subject of my book, Blazing Ahead.
If you have any questions about trip planning, please contact me by email at jeff@jeffryanauthor.com. I look forward to hearing from you.