The Presidential Traverse

A guided hike over some of the White Mountain’s most powerful peaks.

Dates available upon request
(example itinerary below)

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Details:

Hiker Level

Intermediate -Advanced

Distance, Parcours, and Accommodation

4-11 miles daily, 2-4 days, mountainous and rocky terrain.
Backcountry lodges or tentsites

The Lowdown

The Presidential Range is the crown jewel of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, boasting some of the tallest and most rugged peaks in the Northeast. Named after U.S. presidents, these iconic summits offer sweeping alpine views, dramatic ridgelines, and a true sense of adventure above the treeline.

Our journey will take us across the full Presidential Traverse – an unforgettable hike that links these legendary peaks in one epic, high-elevation push. This is a bucket-list experience for serious hikers, packed with challenge, camaraderie, and jaw-dropping scenery.

What You’ll Love

What makes the Presidential Traverse so special is its rare stretch of continuous ridgeline hiking – an experience almost unheard of on the East Coast. Along the way, you have the option to stay at Appalachian Mountain Club huts or beautifully curated tentsites – nestled high in the alpine zone or tucked into quiet forest clearings. These backcountry outposts offer rustic charm, warm meals, and camaraderie at day’s end, with sunsets that spill across the peaks and stars that feel close enough to touch.

You’ll love the balance of intensity and comfort, challenge and reward. You’ll climb, sweat, laugh, and rest well. And when it’s over, you’ll walk away with the kind of memories only a journey in the White Mountains can offer.

The Night Before

We’ll gather at the AMC Highland Center, a cozy mountain lodge nestled at the edge of Crawford Notch. After checking in and settling your gear, enjoy a delicious, hearty dinner – freshly prepared and included with your stay. A selection of local beers will be available for those who want to toast to the adventure ahead.

Weather permitting, we’ll hold our pre-trip briefing out on the lawn, with the peaks of the Presidential Range rising in the distance. It’s a chance to meet your fellow hikers, review the route, and soak in the calm before we head into the high country.

The Hike

Day 1 – 4 miles; 4,000′ of climbing
Day 1 starts with a serious ascent – no easing into this traverse. After a big breakfast at the Highland Center, we’ll catch a shuttle to the Valley Way trailhead and begin our climb into the alpine. The trail winds steadily upward through hardwood forest, then transitions into fir and spruce as we gain elevation. After 4 miles and roughly 4,000 vertical feet, we’ll emerge above the trees and stand atop Mount Madison, our first Presidential summit. From there, it’s a short descent to Madison Spring Hut, where we’ll settle in for the the rest of the day and night. Nestled high in the col between Madison and Adams, the hut offers cozy bunks, hearty food, and a front-row seat to the dramatic alpine landscape we’ll spend the next few days traversing.

Day 2 – 7 miles; 3,100′ of climbing
Day 2 is the heart of the traverse – an unforgettable journey across the alpine spine of the White Mountains. After breakfast at Madison Spring Hut, we’ll set out early to tackle a high-stakes, high-reward route that links four major Presidential peaks. We’ll begin with the steep climb up Mount Adams, the second-highest summit in New England, followed by a rugged ridge walk to the summit of Mount Jefferson. The terrain is rocky, windswept, and dramatic. After lunch on the trail, we’ll push on to the crown jewel of the range: Mount Washington. Standing at 6,288 feet, it’s the highest point in the Northeast and known for some of the most extreme weather on Earth. From there, a steady descent brings us to Lake of the Clouds Hut, perched just below the summit and overlooking a vast stretch of wilderness. This is our home for the night – a well-earned rest after a big day above the trees, surrounded by sky and stone.

Day 3 – 10 miles; 1,400′ of climbing
Our final day begins with sunrise over the alpine lakes and peaks surrounding Lake of the Clouds Hut – an inspiring sendoff for the last stretch of the traverse. After breakfast, we’ll continue south along the ridge, climbing over Mount Monroe before gradually descending into the lush krummholz and forest below. The route takes us across the southern Presidential peaks, including Mount Jackson and Mount Webster, completing our passage over the full range. These final summits offer dramatic views back toward the mountains we’ve traversed and out across Crawford Notch. A long descent winds us down through waterfalls and mossy forest, eventually bringing us to the trailhead just steps from the AMC Highland Center. Here, we’ll celebrate the journey before heading home with memories (and tired legs) to last a lifetime.