A Complete Guide to All the New Hampshire 48 High Peaks

The White Mountains Hiking Challenge

The White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine, are truly something special to see. Like the Adirondack Mountains, of New York, they are filled with lush greenery and dense forests. These hikes are very similar to the Adirondack 46ers. However, I have heard, that the Adirondack 46ers are a little more remote, harder to drive too, longer, but have less elevation gains, in general compared to the New Hampshire 48.

In this post you will read about all the New Hampshire 48, the New Hampshire 4,000 footers, the New Hampshire 48 list, their stats, mileage, elevation gains, and more.

This post is all about the New Hampshire 48.

New Hampshire 48:

1. Mount Washington

Mount Washington is the tallest mountain in New England. It stands at 6,288ft in elevation. And is a total of 7.4 miles, with an elevation gain of 4,242ft, via Tuckerman’s Ravine. Many people ski Tuckerman’s Ravine in the late Winter-mid/late Spring. You can also drive your car up this mountain, similar to Whiteface in New York. I’ve been told the road is VERY windy and narrow, so just be careful.

2. Mount Adams

Mount Adams is typically hiked with two other peaks, Madison and Jefferson, to form part of the Presidential Traverse. By itself Adams, stands at 5,774ft tall, has a total of 8 miles, and an elevation gain of 4,432ft, via the Air Line Trail.

3. Mount Jefferson

Jefferson again, is usually hiked with Adams and Madison, or the whole Presidential Range, which is about 20 miles altogether. Jefferson by itself is 5,712ft in elevation, a total of 10.1 miles, with an elevation gain of 4,242ft via the Castle Trail.

4. Mount Monroe

Monroe is usually hiked with Mount Washington. Or you can hike it via the Presidential Traverse, with 8 of the other President names on the list. On its own, Mount Monroe is 5,384ft in elevation, total of 5.4 miles, with an elevation gain of 2,847ft via the Mount Monroe Trail.

5. Mount Madison

Madison again, is typically hiked with Adams and Jefferson, or the whole Presidential Range. On its own, it stands at 5,367ft, has a total milage of 7.3, and an elevation gain of 4,048ft.

{Related Post : How to Hike the Adirondack 46ers}

6. Mount Lafayette

Lafayette is usually hiked with Mount Liberty, Mount Flume, and Mount Lincoln. On its own, Lafayette stands at, 5,260ft, is a total of 8.4 miles, with an elevation gain of 3,822ft.

7. Mount Lincoln

Lincoln, typically hiked with the mountains above, stands at 5,089ft. You can also hike it with Little Haystack (not a 48). On its own it is 7.8 miles with an elevation gain of 3,645ft.

8. South Twin Peak

South Twin stands at 4,902ft. It is typically hiked with North Twin and Galehead Peaks. Together, these three peaks are a total of 12.6 miles with an elevation gain of 5,055ft.

9. Carter Dome Peak

Carter Dome stands at 4,832ft in elevation, and is typically hiked with South and Middle Carter. On its own, it is a total of 10.8 miles, with an elevation gain of 3,261ft.

10. Mount Moosilauke

Mount Moosilauke is 4,802ft in elevation and is usually hiked via the Gorge Brook Trail, and or the Glencliff and Appalachian Trails. It is about 7.3 miles on either trails, and an average elevation gain of 2,900ft (the Gorge Brook has an almost 1,000ft lesser elevation gain).

11. Mount Eisenhower

Eisenhower stands at 4,780ft in elevation and is typically hiked with Pierce Mountain. Eisenhower is a total of 10.4 with an elevation gain of 3,772ft(on its own).

{Related Post : The Best Ski Resorts in New Hampshire}

12. North Twin Peak

North Twin is 4,761ft in height. It is typically hiked with North Twin and Galehead Peaks, as listed above with South Twin. On its own, it’s a total of 8.2 miles and a 2,929ft in elevation gain.

13. Mount Carrigain

Carrigain is 4,700ft in height. This mountain is a total of 10.4 miles and has a 3,471ft elevation gain.

14. Bond Peak

Bond stands at 4,698ft. And is usually hiked with Bondcliff, West Bond, Mount Guyot, and Zealand Mountains. For 8 miles less, you could just hike The Cliffs, Mount Bond, and West Bond. These 3 peaks together are a total of 20.6 miles with an elevation gain of 6,751ft.

15. Middle Carter Peak

Middle Carter stands at 4,610ft tall. Again, it is usually hiked with South Carter and Carter Dome. Together, these three peaks are, 13.1 miles and a 4,484ft elevation gain.

16. West Pond Peak

West Bond stands at 4,540ft tall. Again, it is typically hiked with Boncliff, Mount Bond, and Zealand. If hiking Bondcliff, Mount Bond, and West Bond, they are a total of 22.2 miles with an elevation gain of 4,609ft.

17. Mount Garfield

Mount Garfield is 4,500ft in height. It can be hiked with Galehead and or South & North Twin. On its own, Garfield is a total of 9.6 miles with an elevation gain of 2,988ft.

18. Liberty Mountain

Liberty stands at 4,459ft tall. Typically, it is hiked with Mount Flume, Mount Lincoln, Mount Lafayette in a 13 mile loop. Liberty on its own, is a total of 7.6 miles with an elevation gain of 3,182ft.

19. South Carter Peak

South Carter is 4,430ft tall. Like above, it is usually hiked with Carter Dome and Middle Carter. Together, these three peaks are a total of 13.1 miles with an elevation gain of 4,484ft.

20. Wildcat Mountain

Wildcat is 4,422ft in height. You can hike it with Wildcat, D Peak, for an extra 3.5 miles (roughly, round trip). Wildcat is a total of 8.4 miles with an elevation gain of 3,540ft.

21. Hancock Mountain

Hancock is 4,420ft tall. You can hike it with South Hancock via the Hancock Trail. Together, these two peaks are, a total of 9.1 miles with an elevation gain of 2,631ft.

22. South Kinsman Peak

South Kinsman in 4,358ft in stance. You can hike it with North Kinsman as well. Together, these two peaks are a total of 9.4 miles with an elevation gain of 3,248ft.

23. Field Mountain

Field is 4,340ft in stance. Typically, this is hiked with Mount Tom, Mount Willey, and Mount Avalon. Together, all these peaks are a total of 9.8 miles with an elevation gain of 3,428ft.

24. Mount Osceola

Osceola is is 4,340ft in height. Usually it is hiked with East Osceola. Osceola on its own is 6.1 miles with an elevation gain of 2,070ft.

25. Flume Mountain

Flume is 4,328ft in height. Like said above, it can be hiked with Mount Liberty, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Lafayette.

26. South Hancock Mountain

South Hancock is 4,319ft in stance. Again, it is usually hiked with Hancock, via the Hancock Trail.

27. Pierce Mountain

Pierce is 4,310ft tall. Usually, it is hiked with Jackson, Eisenhower, and Webster. Pierce is 5.9 miles with a total elevation gain of 2,398ft.

28. North Kinsman Peak

North Kinsman is 4,293ft tall. Again, it is usually hiked with South Kinsman via Lonesome Lake and Appalachian Trail.

29. Mount Willey

Mount Willey is 4,285ft tall. Again, you can hike it with Mount Tom, Field, and Avalon. Willey is a total of 4.8 miles with an elevation gain of 2,828ft.

30. Bondcliff Mountain

Bondcliff is 4,265ft in stance. Again, you can hike it with Bond, West Bond, and Zealand. For a shorter loop, you can hike Bondcliff, Bond, & West Bond.

31. Zealand Peak

Zealand is 4,260ft tall. You can hike it with the peaks listed above for a 28 mile loop. Or, you can hike with it Mount Hale for a total distance of 13.2 miles and an elevation gain of 4,015ft.

32. North Tripyramid Peak

North Tripyramid is 4,180ft tall. You can hike it with Middle Tripyramid, Scaur, and the Sleepers Peaks. Together, these are 15.3 miles with an elevation gain of 3,713ft.

33. Cabot Mountain

Cabot stands at 4,170ft tall. This mountain is usually hiked by itself. However, there is another trail that is a little more scenic and it’s only about a mile and a half more. This is called the Mount Cabot Loop Trail with Bulge and Horn. This loop is a total of 10.4 miles with an elevation gain of 3,166ft.

34. East Osceola Peak

East Osceola is 4,156ft in height. Typically, it is hiked with Mount Osceola. Together these two peaks are 8.3 miles with an elevation gain of 2,851ft.

35. Middle Tripyramid Peak

Middle Tripyramid stands at 4,140ft tall. Again, this is typically hiked with North Tripyramid and two other peaks lasted above.

36. Cannon Mountain

Cannon stands at 4,100ft tall. This again, is usually hiked by itself. This is one of the easier peaks, and the one I would suggest being your first hike of the 48s. It is a total of 3.8 miles with an elevation gain of 2,263ft.

37. Hale Mountain

Hale is 4,054ft in height. This again, is usually hiked by itself. This again, looks like a very doable hike for one of your first 48s. It is a total of 4 miles long with an elevation gain of 2,253ft.

38. Mount Jackson

Jackson is 4,052ft tall. You can hike this one on its own, and it again would be a nice introduction to the 48 Challenge. However, you can also hike it with Mount Pierce for about 2 miles more to your trip. Or, you could do the whole Presidential Range for a nice backpacking trip, or one full day of hiking. On its own, Jackson is 5.6 miles long with an elevation gain of 2,132ft.

39. Tom Mountain

Tom is 4,051ft tall. This is usually hiked with Mount Willey and Field as well. Together, these three peaks (via the “T” Route) are 10.7 miles long with an elevation gain of 3,408ft.

40. Wildcat, D Peak

Wildcat, D Peak is 4,050ft in height. It is usually hiked with Wildcat Mountain. On its own it is 3.5 miles with an elevation gain of 2,181ft.

41. Moriah Mountain

Moriah is 4,049ft tall. This mountain is usually hiked by itself for a total of 9.1 miles with an elevation gain of 3,234ft.

42. Passaconaway Mountain

Passaconaway is 4,043ft in height. It is usually hiked with Mount Whiteface. But, on its own, Passaconaway is 8.7 miles long with an elevation gain of 2,877ft.

43. Owl’s Head Mountain

Owl’s Head is 4,025ft tall. This mountain is typically hiked by itself. It is said, it’s the Allen Mountain of the White’s (if you know the Adks, you know what I mean). It is a total of 17.2 miles long with an elevation gain of 2,995ft.

44. Galehead Mountain

Galehead is 4,024ft tall. You can hike it with North Twin, South Twin, and Garfield. On its own, Galehead is 9.7 miles long with an elevation gain of 2,526ft.

45. Whiteface Mountain

Whiteface is 4,020ft in height. Most people hike it Passaconaway. On its own, Whiteface is 9.6 miles with an elevation gain of 3,067ft.

46. Waumbek Mountain

Waumbek is 4,006ft in stance. This is usually hiked by itself, for a total of 6.9 miles long with an elevation gain of 2,729ft, it again is a good beginner hike for this challenge.

47. Mount Isolation

Isolation is 4,004ft tall. And like it’s name suggests, this peak, is by itself. It is a total of 11.3 miles long, with an elevation gain of 4,931ft.

48. Mount Tecumseh

Tecumseh is 4,003ft tall, and the last mountain apart of the 48s!! This trail is also hiked by itself, and is a good beginner trail for the 48s. It is a total of 5.2 miles with an elevation gain of 2,283ft.

How to Pair Different Peaks Together & Loop Hikes

Presidential Loop is an extremely popular loop hike that incorporates all the mountains named after presidents. Some other loop hikes that are awesome include, The Full Presidential Loop, The Presidential Loop Another Way, the Franconia Ridge Complete Guide, More of the Franconia Ridge, Pemi Loop, and The Complete Guide to the Pemi Loop. In addition, here are some more great peaks to pair together.

As far as the best places to stay for hiking the 48, I would suggest Lincoln, Jefferson, Franconia, or North Conway, New Hamsphire. I feel these are the most central locations for most of the mountains you will hike. Here are some great suggestions for places to stay. And here are some good nearby campgrounds to stay at.

How to Become an Official 48er

To become an official 48er, you can apply through this website. Here is a condensed list of all the names of the mountains with their elevations to complete for this challenge. You can also hike all the mountains over 4,000ft within Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire, to become a New England 4,000 Footer.

You can complete this challenge in either the summer or winter, over a couple years, or in just one. The Adirondack 46er has a special program for people who complete all the 46ers in the winter season. It looks like the White’s have a similar program to this as well. Thus, if this is something that interests you, I would look further into it, on the AMC 4,000 Footer website.

Final Thoughts

Other than that, I hope you learned something new from this article, or more information about the New Hampshire 48 Challenge. If you are interested in the 46er Challenge of the Adirondacks, here is another article explaining more information on how to apply and the mountains needed.

Also, here is a great website, that if you scroll down, will give you further guidelines for different and good hiking routes for the 48 Challenge of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you go out and hike some of these insanely incredible mountains!

In this post you read about the New Hampshire 48, the New Hampshire 4,000 footers, the New Hampshire 48 list, their stats, mileage, elevation gains, and more.