The White Mountains of New Hampshire are the beating heart of the New England hiking scene. The Granite State is home to 48 peaks standing 4,000 feet or more. Completing all 48 is a badge of honor and is frequently a bucket list goal for hikers throughout the Northeast.
But for hikers who have never climbed a mountain peak of that height, the question that is most often on their minds is: How do I start?
The answer to that question isn’t always straightforward and it may depend on the individual’s experience, skills, fitness level, hiking companions, and much more.
But if you or someone you know is considering tackling your first 4,000-footers, here are some good places to start.
Mount Osceola
The hike up 4,315-foot Mount Osceola in Lincoln is a steady climb along the 3.2-mile Mount Osceola Trail from the Tripoli Road parking area. Along the way, the trail gains just over 2,000 feet of elevation. The large rock slab summit offers breathtaking views and a great place to kick back and enjoy a sandwich and a beverage after your climb. If you are climbing Osceola, you can also claim another 4,000-foot peak by connecting nearby East Osceola, which adds about another mile of hiking. However, the East Osceola summit has no view, and the hike includes some rock scrambles.
Mount Pierce
A frequent choice for a first 4,000-foot peak, Mount Pierce is located in Carroll near Bretton Woods. Hikers can take the Crawford Path — the oldest continually-used hiking trail in the U.S. — up this 4,320-foot summit where you’ll find gorgeous views of the surrounding area. The 5.9-mile out-and-back climbs steadily on its way to summit for nearly 2,400 feet of elevation gain, and it often takes more than four hours to complete.
Mount Tecumseh
Mount Tecumseh is the shortest of New Hampshire’s 4,000-footers, officially standing at 4,003 feet, although a 2019 survey listed it as 3,997 feet. But let’s not quibble — it’s basically 4,000 feet on the nose. It’s also home to Waterville Valley Resort. The Mount Tecumseh Trail from the Tripoli Road parking area travels roughly 2.5 miles up to the summit, 5 miles round-trip. Along the way it climbs just over 2,100 feet. Hikers can expect to complete the hike in a little over three-and-a-half hours.
Mount Hale
One of the easiest 4,000-footer hikes in the Whites, it’s a mere 2.2-mile hike up Hale Brook Trail to the 4,055-foot summit of Mount Hale. It’s not a terribly popular hike, as the summit is surrounded by trees and marked by a large pile of rocks. The hike climbs more than 2,200 feet, and hikers can expect to complete the hike in roughly three-and-a-half hours.
Mount Waumbek
The third-shortest of New Hampshire’s 4,000-footers, Mount Waumbek is another peak that barely makes the 4,000-foot cutoff, standing at 4,006 feet. It is the second-most northern 4,000-foot peak, located in the Pliny Range in Jefferson and Lancaster. The hike to the summit is 3.6 miles (roughly 7.2 miles round-trip) and crosses the summit of Mount Starr King before continuing on to Waumbek. While considered a beginner 4,000-footer for its modest height and relatively easy terrain, it is a long hike, often taking just about five hours to complete while climbing more than 2,700 feet. The top is surrounded by trees, but hikers are treated to a few nice views along the way.