14th Annual Summit Mt. Washington
August 23, 2025 • Bretton Woods, NH
Summit Mt Washington, organized by HIKE for Mental Health, is our largest annual hiking event dedicated to raising awareness and resources for mental health research and trail conservation. Each year, hikers from all backgrounds come together to summit the iconic Mount Washington via the Jewell Trail, not only to experience the beauty and challenge of the ascent but also to support a vital cause.
This incredible event, in its 14th year, highlights the powerful connection between nature and mental well-being while raising funds that benefit mental health initiatives and trail conservation efforts. By combining the physical and mental challenges of hiking with the mission to improve mental health care, HIKE for Mental Health helps foster a sense of community, resilience, and purpose, inspiring participants to prioritize both their mental health and the preservation of our natural landscapes.
Whether you are seasoned hiker, or a first-time adventurer, this event is a must attend! Gather your friends, family, and colleagues for an unforgettable day on the trails.
Together, we can make a difference – one step at a time.
Special thanks to New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation for allowing us to hold this event!
New hikers and/or first-time Summit Mt. Washington participants: please watch the video below by one of our volunteer hike leaders, John Henry. Mt. Washington is an extremely strenuous hike, with five miles of constant uphill hiking, but is truly worth every step.
Not a hiker, but moved by our mission. Please consider joining us for our Painting the COG Orange event, hosted the same day as Summit Mt Washington. We will post the link here soon..
Registration closes on August 21 , 2025 at 6:00 PM.Registration Is Free
Instead of charging a fee, we ask your help raising funds for mental health research and trail maintenance.
It’s fast and easy! When you register, you will be able to personalize a sponsorship page and share it through email and your favorite social media such as Facebook or Instagram.
Every little bit helps, and there is no minimum to raise – we just ask that you help us spread the word, then come join us on the trail.
Get a Free Hiking Shirt
Our quick-dry shirts look and feel great, on or off the trail.
Every registered hiker who raises at least $250 will receive a HIKE for Mental Health shirt as a token of our appreciation.
Available in men’s or women’s sizes from Small – XXL.
When you register, we will ask your size preference. Once you reach $250 in donations to your fundraising page, we will get your shirt to you.
If you hit the $250 mark at least ten days before the hike, your hike leader will have your shirt for you on hike day. Otherwise, we will mail it to you after the hike.
So help us raise money and awareness for this great cause.
For a Good Cause
HIKE for Mental Health is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
All contributions are tax deductible, and 100% of the hike donations support our mission.
Eighty cents of every dollar funds mental health programs, including break-through scientific research into PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar spectrum disorders, depression and other major mental illnesses. Through research we can find better ways to alleviate the suffering that affects 1 in 4 American families.
The remaining twenty cents maintains wilderness trails across the U.S. By supporting non-profit, volunteer groups that care for our trails, we help preserve wilderness experiences for generations to come.
Hike Details
| Location: | Cog Railroad, Base Station Road, Bretton Woods, NH. Click here for driving directions. Details about parking, trails and exact start times will be provided to registered hikers only. |
| Date: | August 23, 2025 |
| Time: | Approximately 7 am – 4 pm. Exact times and locations provided to registered hikers only. |
| Rain date: | There is no rain date for this hike. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will cancel or abbreviate the hike. With hikers and volunteers traveling from great distances for this event, the logistics are too complex to move the date. |
| Distance: | Approximately 10.2 miles roundtrip. |
| Difficulty level: | Extremely strenuous. Five miles of steady uphill hiking. |
| Suitable for beginners? | Every year we have participants who are beginners or first time hikers. If you can walk up 10-15 full flights of stairs safely and steadily without stopping and still be smiling, you can do it! If you do not want to hike back down, you may be able to ride the Cog Railroad down to the parking lot or take a hiker shuttle for a fee. (These sites post information seasonally so details may not be available before spring.) Depending on Hike for Mental Health volunteer staff availability, there may be limited transportation back to the Cog parking lot at no charge. |
| HikeSafe: | You may have heard news stories about a number of hikers in the last year who got into serious trouble, including fatalities, hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. To help hikers be more prepared, the State of New Hampshire has created a HikeSafe program. The website, HikeSafe, contains information and quizzes to educate hikers about situations they might face hiking in the Whites. |
| Registration fee: | Registration is free. |
| Parking: | At this time, there is a $10 per vehicle parking fee, cash only, with exact change in required envelope provided by Hike for Mental Health volunteer staff. Failure to purchase and display ticket provided by volunteer staff could result in your vehicle being towed at your expense. |
| Pet friendly? | Well-behaved dogs are welcome on a 6 ft lead. |
| Sponsorship amount: | The hike goal is $40,000. There is no minimum required to join the hike, but if every hiker raises $250 we will get very close to our goal. |
| Free shirt: | Hikers who raise $250 or more will receive a free HIKE for Mental Health quick-dry hiking shirt. |
| Lodging: | There are many great options for lodging in the area, including the Twin Mountain KOA campground where many of our participants stay. We recommend making your lodging arrangements as soon as possible, as places in the area do book up fast! |
| Trail map: |
Every HIKE for Mental Health is an opportunity to:
- get away from the hustle and bustle of work-a-day life and enjoy the beauty of Nature
- renew old friendships and make new ones
- have a great time hiking with a good group of people
- stand up against the stigma of mental illness
- discover your new favorite get-away
- raise money for a great cause
Come on out and join us!
Comments from past Summit Mt. Washington hikers
I miss this already. CAN’T WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR! – Sitha C.
Incredible day! Can’t wait to do it again next year! – Thom V.
So touching and amazing and loved everyone! – Meera M.
You guys are awesome!! Roo (a dog) loved meeting all of you, and can’t wait to see you again next year! – Joanne T.
I had a great time and I’m so glad to have been part of this! Will you send my HFMH shirt to me? I’d like to have mine for next year’s hike, if possible. I already can’t wait! ? – Amanda M.
These are the best people to hike with. I meet a new friend at each and every hike. And working towards a great cause too! I’ll be back next year and I’ll definitely make it to the barbecue next year! – Pat Z.
My first year, so much fun! – John L.
Great event! So happy to have met everyone. – Suzanne G.
Had a great time this weekend and met some wonderful people. Cannot wait to hike again next year!! – Regina F.
Goal is $30,000
$225 donated
Questions
If you have any questions or ideas, please contact us.
We are glad to talk with you about your hike and how you can help HIKE for Mental Health.
We hope you will make HIKE for Mental Health a part of your hike.
