Hut-to-Hut Hiking in the Presidentials (Challenging hiking in NH)
What You’ll See: Enjoy magnificent scenery and traditional mountain hospitality as you hike along the oldest continuously maintained recreation trail in the U.S. – Crawford Path – to Mizpah Hut and Lakes of the Clouds Hut, the AMC’s highest hut. From there you’ll head north along the Appalachian Trail to Madison Hut, the Club’s first hut. Along the way, you can take side trips to climb the Northeast’s highest peaks, including the grand rock pile itself – Mount Washington, or just stick to the Gulfside Trail and enjoy views of up to 90 miles (on a clear day!) across the Great Gulf Wilderness to the east and into Vermont’s Green Mountains to the west. From Madison, you’ll have plenty of options to finish out your trip. The most direct route would be the Valley Way Trail to the Appalachia parking lot or you can continue on the AT to Pinkham Notch Visitor Center.
What You’ll Experience:
- This trip traverses uneven, rocky, alpine terrain for most of its length.
- It’s a challenging trip for most hikers and requires a high level of fitness and hiking experience. Trip length varies and can be as short as 17 miles or much longer if you bag all the peaks. Be prepared for a variety of environmental hazards (thunderstorms and lightning in the summer and fall; four-season weather any time of the year!) and always have options identified to retreat below treeline if the weather becomes inclement.
- With its fantastic views, this trip will appeal to most avid hikers, but especially to those who are history buffs because of all the famous trails and historic huts. Naturalists will also find the trip heavenly as there are countless “interpretive moments” along this route. However, the trip is not recommended for small children.
- The crews at each of the three AMC huts serve up their unique brand of mountain hospitality every day and night throughout the summer and into the early fall. Expect hearty meals, informative naturalist programs, and lots of other useful information to help make your trip a memorable one!
What’s in the Area:
Getting There
- Get directions for the Highland Center and Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch.
- Check availability online in real-time, and call 603-466-2727 to make your reservations.
- Parking is available at the Mount Clinton Road USFS parking lot in Crawford Notch. You can purchase your USFS parking pass there or at any USFS Ranger Station or AMC Visitor Center. Leave your car at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and take the hiker shuttle back to Crawford Notch to start your hike.
