Frequently Asked Questions about Hiking Mount Washington

The hiking time to reach the summit can vary widely depending on route, physical preparation and on-trail conditions. We have seen well-conditioned trail runners go from base to summit on the Jewell Trail in under an hour. That is exceptional and is by no means the norm.

More usual for those who hike regularly is a pace of about 1 1/2 to 2 miles an hour, leading to ascent times of two to three hours.

For those who have not hiked regularly and are taking on Mount Washington as a challenge of physical ability, we commonly see times of five or six hours, or even longer. Don’t fret. As long as you leave early in the morning, you will still make it to the top.

One piece of advice, though: if it have taken you more than 4 hours to ascend and you arrive after 12 PM, consider taking a ride down instead of attempting to hike down. Believe it or not, for most people the descent is harder than the hike up.

Generally between 4.2 and 5.4 miles, depending on which trail is taken. The Lions Head and Tuckerman Ravine trails are on the shorter end of that range; the Boott Spur Trail is the longest of the main day hike trails to the summit. The Ammonoosuc Trail and the Jewell Trail are in the middle of the range.

Keep in mind that when hiking uphill, the terrain is often a bigger consideration that the mileage, especially with relatively little difference between the shortest and the longest route.

The Jewell Trail is generally considered the easiest trail to day hike to the summit of Mount Washington. At 5.2 miles from the parking lot of the Cog Railway to the summit, it is a little longer than some of the other trails. But the added distance is offset by generally less severe terrain. Make no mistake, the Jewell Trail is a steady uphill hike. But steady is the keyword as the trail lacks the extended steep climbs encountered on the shorter trails.

It can be, if you are prepared. Hiking up Mount Washington, even by the “easier” trails, is no walk in the park so proper preparation in advance is critical. That includes pre-trip planning, choosing the right trail, having appropriate gear, physical conditioning and mental readiness. For complete information on how to prepare for a Mount Washington day hike, check our series of articles in the links above.

Many first time hikers find that hitting the trail with a few more experienced hikers is a great way to get started. If you are interested in joining our annual Summit Mount Washington hike, you will find all the details at this link.

Yes, the Sherman Adams Visitor Center hosts a cafeteria which sells a limited menu of hot and cold items. Don’t expect anything fancy but if hot dogs, chili and pizza are your thing, you are in luck. During busy weekends, the wait time in line can be a bit long so be prepared to be patient.

Many first time hikers find that hitting the trail with a few more experienced hikers is a great way to get started. If you are interested in joining our annual Summit Mount Washington hike, you will find all the details at this link.

We do an annual hike up Mount Washington, and every year we have first-time hikers as part of the group. Seeing them experience the wonder of breaking above treeline and sense of accomplishment when they right the summit, especially hiking for a good cause, is priceless.

On that basis, the answer to the question is, none. Even newbie hikers can ascend Mount Washington, especially if they are with an experienced group to help guide them.

That said, advance preparation and proper safety planning is important.

And it doesn’t need to cost a fortune but some basic equipment and clothing is essential to deal with unpredictable climate and rugged terrain.

Preparation is also key. Check out our guides for the best trails to choose for your ability, and how to train physically and to prepare mentally for the hike.

By following the Boy Scout motto, Be prepared, even first time hikers can have a safe and successful day hike of Mount Washington.

The following listings are driving distance to Mount Washington Cog Railway where HIKE for Mental Health begins its annual hike.

Mountain View Grand

101 Mountain View Road
Whitefield, New Hampshire 03598
1-855-837-2100

Bear Mountain Lodge

3249 Main Street
Bethlehem, New Hampshire 03574
603-869-2189

Briarcliff Motel

2304 White Mountain Hwy.
North Conway, New Hampshire 03860
603-356-5584 or 1-800-338-4291

Carroll Motel & Cottages

73 US Route 3 South
Twin Mountain, New Hampshire 03595
603-846-5553

Granite House Cottage

340 North State Street,
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
603-724-4765

Omni Mount Washington Resort

310 Mt. Washington Hotel Rd.
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire 03575
603-278-1000

Hampton Inn Littleton

500 Meadow Street
Littleton, NH 03561
603-444-0025

Carlson’s Lodge

330 US-302
Twin Mountain, New Hampshire 03595
603-846-5501

Profile Deluxe Motel 

P.O. Box 99
580 Route 3 South (Daniel Webster Highway)
Twin Mountain, NH 03595
603-846-5522 or 800-682-7222

Bretton Woods Rentals

1800 US 302
Bretton Woods, NH 03575
603-389-2121

Twin Mountain KOA

372 NH-115
Twin Mountain, New Hampshire 03595
603-846-5559

Additional information about lodging, activities, restaurants and more when staying in the Mount Washington area can be found on The Cog Railway ~ Area Lodging web page.

The elevation at the summit of Mount Washington is 6,288 feet above see level, according to  the official website of the Mount Washington Observatory. For anyone not in the US, that is 1,716 meters. Or 1.2 miles.

While that may sounds like a lot, Mount Washington is relatively low on the list of tallest mountains in the world. In fact, the tallest 100 mountains in the world are all more than 23,000 feet high, a fact which makes Mount Washington sound kind of puny.

Believe me, when you’re rock-hopping up to the summit or gazing out across 6 states, it feels plenty tall enough.

The elevation at the summit of Mount Washington is 6,288 feet above see level, according to  the official website of the Mount Washington Observatory. For anyone not in the US, that is 1,716 meters. Or 1.2 miles.

While that may sounds like a lot, Mount Washington is relatively low on the list of tallest mountains in the world. In fact, the tallest 100 mountains in the world are all more than 23,000 feet high, a fact which makes Mount Washington sound kind of puny.

Believe me, when you’re rock-hopping up to the summit or gazing out across 6 states, it feels plenty tall enough.

Approximately 30-45 minutes, plus any stoppage time for sight-seeing. The road is not long – less than 8 miles from valley to summit – but it is narrow, steep, and for those who are afraid of heights, terrifying. For more information about driving up the Mount Washington Auto Road, including the cost, vehicle restrictions and other important information, click through to the official site.

Because of the speed with which the weather and hiking conditions can change on Mount Washington, having the right gear and clothing is critical to a safe and enjoyable hike. Good footwear, layers of non-cotton clothing and a few basic pieces of equipment are a gerat start. Here is a more detailed guide for what to pack for a Mount Washington day hike.

Staying hydrated is critical to proper functioning of your muscles and your nervous system, a system which of course includes your brain. Dehydration can lead to muscle fatigue and even disorientation. So be sure to bring enough water on your Mount Washington day hike.

For most people, about half a gallon will be sufficient for the ascent.  In hotter weather, bring a little more.

For the descent, there are water bottle filling stations on the summit.

Hiking Mount Washington is both physically and mentally demanding, so some measure of physical conditioning is required to make the hike safe and enjoyable.

That said, one does not need to be an Olympic athlete to make it to the summit. With some basic strength and stamina conditioning, an early morning start, and a willingness to pace yourself, most people in reasonable shape can make it. But please don’t read the last phrase and skip over the first three. Prepare yourself. If you not accustomed to extended periods of physical exertion, check with a doctor to make sure you are ready to push yourself to your physical and mental limit.

You can follows these links for more information about physical conditioning to hike Mount Washington and preparing yourself mentally for the challenges and decisions you can face on the mountain.