Public Transportation
All Points:
AMC’s Hiker Shuttle offers transportation from Joe Dodge Lodge/Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and the Highland Center to all major approach routes to the huts in summer and fall. The Hiker Shuttle also picks up and drops off at the Irving gas station on Main Street in Gorham. Reservations are required – call 603-466-2727.
Shuttle Connection also offers airport service from Boston Logan and Manchester Airports to trailheads servicing all huts, as well as to Joe Dodge Lodge and the Highland Center. Reservations are required, with a minimum 48 hour advance notice.
Via Pinkham Notch:
Concord Coach Lines offers daily bus service between Boston Logan Airport and Boston’s South Station (Amtrak and MBTA Commuter Rail) and AMC’s Pinkham Notch Visitor Center.
Via Franconia or Crawford Notch:
Concord Coach Lines offers daily bus service between Boston Logan Airport and Boston’s South Station (Amtrak and MBTA Commuter Rail) and Lincoln, NH. From Lincoln, Shuttle Connection can provide van service to trailheads servicing all huts. Reservations are required, with a minimum 48 hour advance notice.
Trail Access and Directions
AMC encourages carpooling to its lodges and huts. You can post a rideshare request on our rideshare bulletin board.
Lonesome Lake Hut, elevation 2760’: Accessible from the southbound lane of I-93 (Franconia Notch Parkway) in Franconia Notch State Park with parking at Lafayette Campground. Park at the picnic area at the end of the south parking lot. The Lonesome Lake Trail is a relatively easy 1.6 miles to the hut, takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, and has 950 ft. elevation gain. Alternate approaches include the Cascade Brook Trail (3.1 miles to the hut, approx. 2.5 hours).
Greenleaf Hut, elevation 4200’: Accessible from the northbound lane of I-93 in Franconia Notch with parking at the Old Bridle Path trailhead (USFS parking pass required). There is alternate parking at Lafayette State Park, which is accessible from the southbound lane of I-93, and has a pedestrian tunnel under the highway to get you to the Old Bridle Path trailhead.
The Old Bridle Path is a moderate hike, 2.9 miles to the hut, takes approximately 2.5 hours, and has 2450 ft. elevation gain. The summit of Mt. Lafayette is another 1.1 miles and 1150 ft. of elevation gain from the hut. Alternate approaches include the Falling Waters Trail (difficult, approx. 6 miles).
Galehead Hut, elevation 3800’: The Gale River Trailhead (USFS parking pass required) is accessible from the Gale River Loop Rd (FR25), located off US Route 3 between Franconia Notch and Twin Mountain at the intersection of US 3 and Trudeau Road. Follow the Gale River Loop Road 1.6 miles to the trailhead. The Gale River Trail is a difficult 4.6 miles to the hut, takes approx. 3.5 hours, and has 2200 ft. elevation gain.
Zealand Falls Hut, elevation 2630’: The Zealand Trailhead (USFS parking pass required) is located at the south end of the Zealand Rd (FR16) which begins at US Route 302, approx. 2.3 miles east of the Twin Mountain intersection. The Zealand Trail is an easy 2.8 miles to the hut, takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, and gains 650 ft. in elevation.
Mizpah Spring Hut, elevation 3800’: Crawford Path trailhead (USFS parking pass required) is accessible from the Mt. Clinton road located off of US Route 302 across from the Highland Center Lodge in Crawford Notch. The Crawford Connector/Crawford Path/Mizpah Cutoff is a moderate 2.4 mile hike, takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, and gains 1880 ft. in elevation.
Lakes of the Clouds Hut, elevation 5012’: The classic eastern approach is via the Tuckerman Ravine trailhead and leaves from the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. PNVC is located on NH Route 16 9 miles north of Jackson, NH and 11 miles south of Gorham, NH. The Tuckerman Ravine Trail/Tuckerman Crossover is a difficult 4.6 mile hike to the hut. This route takes approximately 4 hours with an elevation gain of 2983 ft.
Alternate western approach via the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail leaves from the Ammonoosuc Ravine trailhead (USFS parking pass required) located on the Base Road to the Marshfield Base Station/Cog Railway. This is a difficult 3.1 mile hike directly to the hut, takes approximately 3 hours with an elevation gain of 2500 ft.
Madison Hut, elevation 4825’: The Valley Way trailhead/Appalachia parking lot is located on US Route 2 in Randolph, NH. The Valley Way Trail is a difficult 3.8 mile hike that provides a sheltered and direct route to the Madison Hut that takes approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes and gains 3550 ft. in elevation.
An alternate route recommended for fair weather days is the Airline Trail. The Airline Trail leaves from the same trailhead parking. It is a difficult 3.7 mile hike, takes approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes with an elevation gain of 3550 ft.
Carter Notch Hut, elevation 3288’: The 19 Mile Brook trailhead parking is located on the north side of NH Route 16 approximately 1 mile north of the Mount Washington Auto Road. The 19 Mile Brook Trail is a moderate 3.8 mile hike, takes approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes and gains 1900 ft. in elevation.
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