Getting there
- Flights to Portland (PWM) 110 km from the start
Treks / USA (New Hampshire)
Presidential Traverse
USA (New Hampshire) · Nearest city: Boston
TypeMulti-day trek
Days1–2
Distance≈ 35 km
Climbing≈ 2,600 m
Highest point1,917 m
A ridge walk over the Presidential Range in the White Mountains, crossing Mount Washington, home of some of the world's worst weather.
Fitness
Very hard
Best seasonJune to September
High pointMount Washington
Watch out: Weather above the treeline can turn dangerous even in summer. Have a bail-out plan.
Why people choose it
It's the hardest day hike in the eastern US, across peaks with some of the world's worst weather.
What makes it different
- Mount Washington's famous weather
- Long stretch above the treeline
- AMC huts along the ridge
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Roaming in USA is expensive on most phone plans. A data eSIM bought before you fly gets you online as soon as you land.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
In national parks, overnight stays need a wilderness permit and camping is often limited to designated sites. On most national forest and BLM land, dispersed camping is allowed.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Mount Madison → Mount Washington → Crawford Notch
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Book your first and last nights, and check whether accommodation along the way needs reserving.
- Best time to go: June to September.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Boston.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: June to September
April to June
Spring
Mud season in the north, blackflies in May and June, and fresh green forests.
Bring
- Waterproof boots
- Insect repellent
- Warm layer for summits
July to August
Summer
Warm and humid in the forests, with thunderstorms and cool, windy summits.
Bring
- Rain jacket
- Plenty of water
- Warm layer above the treeline
September to October
Autumn
Famous fall colours and crowds, with early snow and ice on higher summits.
Bring
- Warm layers, hat and gloves
- Microspikes late in the season
- Headlamp
Be ready for
Afternoon storms
Thunderstorms often build after midday in summer. Start early, cross passes and summits before noon, and never shelter under lone trees or on ridges.
Strong wind
Exposed ridges and summits can be very windy and cold. A windproof layer and hat are worth carrying even on warm days.
Navigation
Paths can be faint or disappear in mist. Carry an offline map on your phone and a paper map, and know how to use them.
What you'll see
6 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Presidential Traverse
Photo credits: White Mountains by Harvey Barrison, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Mt. Madison by Wikiuser100, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; A View of the Mountain Pass Called the Notch of the White Mountains Crawford Notch by Thomas Cole, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; AaravDey by Aaravdey18, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; View near Mount Washington (New Hampshire) by William J Sisti from Morristown, NJ, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Alpine Tundra by Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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