Community compiled • Unofficial overview

NH48 Information Hub

Community members gathered these notes on the AMC Four-Thousand-Footer peaks—routes, ranges, seasonality patterns, and developer tools—to make browsing easier. Details are not fully verified; please cross-check against the Appalachian Mountain Club’s official resources before you go.

NH48 Snapshot

48 Peaks
~250–500 mi trails
~170K ft gain (≈6× Everest)
~12–15 min trips
~20–30 typical trips
1–4 years typical

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Total Peaks 48 AMC-recognized 4,000-footers (confirm for updates)
Total Trail Distance ~350 mi Ranges ~250–500 miles depending on groupings
Highest Summit Mount Washington – 6,288 ft Presidential Range
Cumulative Elevation 177,546 ft Sum of all summit elevations
API Ready JSON, GeoJSON, Images Open data for maps, apps, and trackers
Total Distance

~250-500 miles depending on route choices and how efficiently peaks are grouped. Multi-peak days can reduce total mileage, while single-peak outings add distance.

Total Elevation Gain

~170,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain — roughly six times Mount Everest from sea level.

Time Investment

150-250 hours of hiking time, not including drive time, rest breaks, or time spent on summits. Many hikers take 2-4 years to visit all 48 peaks.

Important Trail Warnings

NH48.info is an unofficial, community-driven site. Use this page at your own risk; always verify trail status, rules, and safety information with official sources.

Visit Official AMC 4000 Site for comprehensive details.

Table of Contents

Peak Difficulty Guide

Not all peaks are created equal. Plan your progression from accessible summits to exposed alpine terrain.

Popular Day Trip Groupings

Maximize your summit count with these classic multi-peak routes. Experienced hikers often complete multiple peaks per trip.

Presidential Traverse 7 Peaks ~23 mi | ~9,000 ft gain

Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, Pierce - the ultimate White Mountains traverse.

Franconia Ridge Loop 4 Peaks ~9 mi | ~4,000 ft gain

Flume, Liberty, Lincoln, Lafayette - one of the most scenic ridge walks in the Northeast.

Bonds Traverse 3 Peaks ~19 mi | ~5,500 ft gain

Bondcliff, Bond and West Bond—often done as a long day hike or overnight, usually requiring a car spot or out-and-back.

Pemi Loop 9–11 Peaks ~31 mi | ~9,100 ft gain

A circuit around the Pemigewasset Wilderness linking Flume, Liberty, Lincoln, Lafayette, Garfield, Galehead, South Twin, West Bond, Bond and Bondcliff, with optional North Twin or Zealand.

Twin Range 3 Peaks ~15 mi | ~4,800 ft gain

South Twin, North Twin, Galehead - accessible via multiple routes with AMC hut options.

Hancocks Loop 2 Peaks ~9 mi | ~3,500 ft gain

North Hancock, South Hancock - connected by a scenic ridge trail with multiple brook crossings.

Kinsmans 2 Peaks ~10 mi | ~3,800 ft gain

North Kinsman, South Kinsman - rugged terrain with beautiful Lonesome Lake along the way.

Osceolas 2 Peaks ~8 mi | ~3,200 ft gain

Mount Osceola, East Osceola - beginner-friendly pairing with a fun chimney scramble.

Willey Range 3 Peaks ~9 mi | ~3,200 ft gain

Mount Tom, Field and Willey via the Ethan Pond or Avalon approaches for a classic three-peak loop.

Carter-Moriah Traverse 4 Peaks ~15+ mi | ~5,000 ft gain

Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter, and Moriah—a long ridge day often split into two hikes.

What is the NH48?

The New Hampshire 48 refers to mountains that meet the AMC Four-Thousand-Footer Club standard of at least 4,000 feet above sea level and 200 feet of topographic prominence. NH48.info is not affiliated with the AMC; this overview summarizes information gathered from public references and hiker contributions.

The idea dates to 1931 when Dartmouth librarian Nathaniel L. Goodrich outlined an early list. Refined USGS surveys and AMC guidelines eventually set the list at 48 peaks—adding Bondcliff and Galehead while excluding shoulder summits like Mt. Guyot and Mt. Clay. Readers should confirm criteria and routes with the Appalachian Mountain Club before planning trips.

Current NH 4,000-Footer List

Peaks shown here reflect the summits recognized by the AMC at the time of publication. Tap a range filter to see the peaks clustered by geography, or click a summit name to open its detailed page. Each row pulls live attributes from the NH48 manifest so the table stays synchronized with the photo-rich peak templates.

Visit Official AMC 4000 Site for comprehensive details. Please confirm prominence, elevation, and trail guidance with the AMC before relying on this table.

Peak Difficulty Best For

Peaks by Mountain Range

The NH48 spans eight major clusters. Use the quick chips to jump straight to a filtered list: the Presidential Range’s alpine zone, the Franconia Ridge views, the remote Bonds inside the Pemigewasset Wilderness, and the Sandwich Range approaches. Conditions and difficulty vary by season; consult route guides before you go.

Interactive Map

Zoom with your mousewheel or tap each pin to see peak names. All coordinates load from the same manifest that powers the catalog and should be cross-checked with official maps.

NH48 Summits (All ranges)

Peak Difficulty & Strategy

Difficulty is subjective and conditions change quickly. The notes below reflect commonly shared hiker experiences, not official designations. Plan carefully and consult AMC trail guides and forecasts before choosing a route.

Intro / Friendly (≈10 peaks)

Shorter mileage, moderate elevation gain, and generally forgiving terrain.

  • Mt. Tecumseh, Mt. Waumbek, Mt. Hale
  • Mt. Jackson, Mt. Pierce, Mt. Osceola (Tripoli approach)

Moderate Day Hikes (≈15 peaks)

Longer mileage or steeper grades with occasional rough footing.

  • Mt. Garfield, North & South Kinsman
  • Cannon Mountain, North Twin, Cabot

Challenging (≈15 peaks)

Long days, sustained climbs, and rugged sections that test endurance.

  • Owl’s Head, Isolation, Mt. Carrigain
  • Whiteface & Passaconaway, Wildcat Range

Alpine / Exposed (≈8 peaks)

Above-treeline exposure, high winds, and the most rugged terrain.

  • Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison
  • Franconia Ridge (Lafayette + Lincoln), Bondcliff

Beginner-Friendly choices

  • Mt. Tecumseh — many hikers find this short, direct trail to be the gentlest ascent on the list.
  • Mt. Waumbek — often chosen for its steady grade, sheltered forest, and forgiving footing.
  • Mt. Pierce — provides Crawford Path views with less exposure than some Presidential neighbors.

Advanced & Strenuous

  • The Bonds (Bond, West Bond, Bondcliff) — often tackled as a 19–23 mile day or an overnight traverse.
  • Owl’s Head — known for a long approach with a loose slide and muddy valley miles.
  • The Wildcats — feature relentless grades that many describe as a backcountry stair climber.

Risk Factors & Preparedness

Weather changes quickly in the White Mountains; preparation is essential and rescue can take hours.

🏔️ Above Treeline Exposure 15 Peaks

Significant stretches above treeline with no shelter from weather. Lightning, high winds, and whiteout conditions are real dangers.

🌩️ Severe Weather Risks ~10 Peaks

Washington holds the record for highest wind speed ever recorded. Presidential Range peaks regularly experience hurricane-force winds.

🚶 Long Bailout Distances Up to 9-10 Miles

Remote peaks like Owl's Head, Bonds, and Isolation require long approaches. If something goes wrong, help is far away.

💧 Limited Water Sources Many Routes Dry

Unlike some mountain ranges, many NH trails have no reliable water sources. Carry all water you need - typically 2-4 liters per hike.

Choose Your Finish Strategy

There's no single way to finish the list - pick the approach that matches your lifestyle and goals.

🚀 Fast Finish ~1 Year | 18-20 Day Hikes

Efficient multi-peak days, optimal groupings, and flexible scheduling. Best for experienced hikers with open calendars.

🗓️ Weekend Warrior 2-4 Years | 30-40 Day Hikes

Steady progress with 2-3 peaks per trip on weekends. Balance between efficiency and enjoyment. Great for working professionals.

🌄 Scenic Journey 4-6+ Years | 40+ Day Hikes

Savor each peak individually, explore different routes, and enjoy the journey. Photography and summit experiences take priority.

Seasonal Considerations

Strategies shift every year as trailheads, roads, and weather patterns change. The AMC tracks winter finishers separately because road closures, avalanche zones, and snowpack reshape the effort. Use the toggle to switch between summer and winter planning and verify access and forecasts with official sources.

Focus Summer Strategy

History & Rules Recap

The AMC Four-Thousand-Footer Club launched officially in 1957 to encourage hikers into the deeper corners of the White Mountain National Forest. According to AMC guidelines, a peak must have 200 feet of prominence from any connecting col. Human-powered ascents are expected—using the Cog Railway or Cannon’s tramway does not meet the guidelines.

Thousands of finishers log their climbs by mailing the AMC application or joining online trackers. Please read the Appalachian Mountain Club’s introductory letter for the most accurate and current requirements, and verify any summary here with the official resource.

Visit Official AMC 4000 Site for comprehensive details.

Data & API Resources

NH48.info exposes every peak as JSON so developers can build their own dashboards, weather overlays, or GPX generators. These community tools may contain inaccuracies and should be verified before use for navigation. The manifest powering this page includes elevations, coordinates, route notes, exposure ratings, and captioned photography with alt text. Grab the files directly or mirror them through a CDN.

Developers: embed the table via fetch, use the map pins in GeoJSON, or remix the photos (with attribution) to power your own NH48 tracker. Please credit NH48.info for reused assets and confirm data against official sources when accuracy is critical.

Use the API

Frequently Asked Questions

These responses summarize common hiker opinions and may not reflect official AMC guidance. For definitive answers, visit the official AMC FAQ.

Which NH 4,000 footer is the easiest?

Mt. Tecumseh and Mt. Waumbek are widely considered the most approachable thanks to short mileage, steady grades, and sheltered routes; however, experiences vary.

Do winter ascents count toward the regular NH48 list?

Many hikers count winter ascents toward the primary list and separately for the Winter NH48 award. December 21–March 21 is the commonly accepted window; review AMC criteria to be sure.

Which range has the most dangerous weather?

The Presidential Range is often cited for challenging weather. Above-treeline exposure, fast-moving storms, and wind chills make even summer days serious—plan conservatively.

How do I link to individual peak details?

Use the /peak/slug/ format shown in the Current NH 4,000-Footer List. Each peak page includes a “Back to the NH48 Info” link for reciprocal navigation.