How difficult is hiking Mount Madison?

Mount Madison is rated as Very Difficult difficulty.

How long does it take to hike Mount Madison?

Typically, hiking Mount Madison takes 7–9 hours - round-trip via Valley Way..

Mount Madison

Q: What are the main hiking routes to Mount Madison?

The main routes to Mount Madison include: Valley Way & Osgood Trail - via Madison Hut., Airline Trail - direct ridge ascent..

Mount Madison is a 5,367-foot mountain at the northern end of the Presidential Range in New Hampshire.

Prominence: 466 ft Range: Presidential Range

Elevation: 5,367 ft

Mount Madison ridge illuminated by golden sunset in White Mountains, New Hampshire — Mount Madison stands bathed in warm summer sunset hues, its rugged ridge line sharply defined against the soft, hazy backdrop of the White Mountains. The expansive view captures the tranquil forest trails and distant peaks under a calm sky in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest.

Mount Madison peak with forested slopes and cloud shadows in White Mountains New Hampshire — Mount Madison stands prominently in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, bathed in late afternoon light with shifting clouds casting deep shadows across the dense forested slopes. This summer scene captures the rugged terrain and expansive ridge line within the White Mountain National Forest.

Snowy summit of Mount Madison at twilight with distant mountain ridges under clear evening sky — A serene view of Mount Madison's snow-covered summit at dusk, captured during late fall in the White Mountains. The icy ridge line glows softly under fading light, revealing the quiet majesty of White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire.

Silhouette of Mount Madison ridge at sunset with soft orange sky in White Mountains — The dark silhouette of Mount Madison rises sharply against a smooth gradient of warm summer sunset hues in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. This tranquil scene captures the mountain’s distinctive ridge line as daylight fades over the White Mountain National Forest.

Snow-dusted rocky slopes of Mount Madison under cloudy winter sky — Mount Madison rises sharply under a cold, overcast sky in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Snow dusts the rocky ridge line and foreground boulders, highlighting the rugged winter landscape within White Mountain National Forest.

Mount Madison peak dusted with snow under blue winter sky with evergreen trees in foreground — A serene winter afternoon captures Mount Madison's snow-dusted summit framed by dense alpine firs in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The crisp blue sky contrasts with the rugged granite ledges and frosted forest trail below.

Silhouetted figure on rocky Mount Madison summit at dawn with misty background — A lone hiker stands atop the rocky summit of Mount Madison in the White Mountains, surrounded by the soft, muted light of early summer dawn. The hazy atmosphere gently blurs the distant ridge lines within New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest.

Mount Madison peak with forested slopes and cloud shadows in summer afternoon light — Mount Madison rises prominently within New Hampshire's White Mountains, its rugged summit casting deep shadows over the dense forest trail below. The afternoon sun highlights the textured ridge line under a sky scattered with soft clouds, capturing the essence of mountain weather in the White Mountain National Forest.

Mount Madison summit video poster — Summit video from Mount Madison in New Hampshire's White Mountains (24 second, portrait, 2160 x 3840).

Mountain Overview

Mount Madison is a 5,367-foot mountain at the northern end of the Presidential Range in New Hampshire. It is the fifth-highest peak in the state. Mount Madison was named after President James Madison. As the northernmost Presidentials summit, it overlooks the town of Gorham and features the Madison Spring Hut nearby. The summit consists of a cone of talus rocks with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Mount Madison lies at the northern end of the Presidential Range and is the fifth-highest peak in New Hampshire. It was named in honor of James Madison, the fourth U.S. President, during the 1820 naming expedition. As the northernmost Presidential summit, it has long served as a gateway for hikers approaching the range from the Gorham side. In 1888, the Madison Spring Hut was built in the col between Madison and Adams – this was the first high-mountain hut in the United States, established by the Appalachian Mountain Club. (The hut has been expanded and rebuilt several times since.) Mount Madison’s summit is a cone of talus rocks with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Nearby, the valley of Snyder Brook became a hub of early trail-building – many paths on and around Madison were cut in the late 19th century, reflecting the mountain’s popularity among the Victorian-era White Mountain adventurers.

General Info

Elevation

5,367 ft

Prominence

466 ft

Range

Presidential Range

Trail Type

Out & back - commonly.

Difficulty

Very Difficult

Exposure

High - very exposed to wind/cold above treeline.

Typical Time

7–9 hours - round-trip via Valley Way.

Best seasons

Summer and fall - winter for experienced only.

Water availability

Yes - Madison Spring Hut near treeline offers water when open.

Cell reception

Spotty - possibly at summit; generally weak elsewhere.

First Photo & Camera

Mountain

Mount Madison

Photo

Golden Hour on Mount Madison Ridge

Description

This landscape photograph showcases Mount Madison during a serene summer evening in the White Mountain National Forest. The late-day sun casts long shadows across the rocky ridge line, highlighting the mountain's textured terrain. Beyond the peak, layers of forested hills stretch into the distance beneath a partly cloudy sky, evoking the peaceful mountain weather typical of New Hampshire's White Mountains. The scene invites hikers and landscape photographers to explore the natural beauty of this iconic summit view.

Dimensions

5209 x 3473

Credit

Static map preview

Mount Madison: summit area with linked trail context.

Summit: 44.3283, -71.2767

Trails: Valley Way Trail, Osgood Trail, Howker Ridge Trail, Watson Path

NOAA / NWS Snapshot unavailable

MWOBS Higher Summits ForecastOfficial higher-summit outlook for exposed White Mountain terrain

Live summit weather is temporarily unavailable. Static trip-planning guidance remains available below.

USNO Snapshot unavailable

Astronomy timing is temporarily unavailable.

MWOBS Higher Summits Forecast 48-hour twice-daily report

Climate context

Monthly climatology baseline near this summit elevation.

12-month profile

Drainage context only, not a crossing safety decision. 4 linked water references; expand a row for sources and notes.

Route note: Yes - Madison Spring Hut near treeline offers water when open.

Peabody River USGS historical • 4.8 mi context • 2 proxy gages No Current Live Data

StationPEABODY RIVER UPSTREAM OF ROUTE 16, NR GORHAM, NH • 01054112

USGS Historical

Peabody River context for Great Gulf, Imp, Carter-Moriah, and north Presidential trailheads after heavy runoff.

Nearby live proxy: Peabody River at Gorham, New Hampshire • Androscoggin River near Gorham, NH

Official source

Peabody River USGS historical • NWPS forecast • Observed May 2, 2026, 5:45 AM • 6.4 mi context 118 cfs · 2.82 ft gage · falling · fresh

StationPeabody River at Gorham, New Hampshire • 01054114

USGS Historical, Observed NWPS Forecast HADS Observed

Official source

Androscoggin River USGS historical • NHDES observed • Observed May 2, 2026, 5:15 AM • 8.6 mi context 2,300 cfs · 3.84 ft gage · stable · gage falling · fresh

StationAndroscoggin River near Gorham, NH • 01054000

USGS Historical, Observed NHDES Observed NWPS Forecast HADS Observed

Official source

Israel River USGS historical • 5.4 mi context • 2 proxy gages No Current Live Data

StationISRAEL RIVER AB S B ISRAEL R, NEAR JEFFERSON, NH • 01130500

USGS Historical

Northern Presidential and Jefferson side context for Caps Ridge, Appalachia, and Waumbek / Starr King planning.

Nearby live proxy: Peabody River at Gorham, New Hampshire • Androscoggin River near Gorham, NH

Official source

Treat rising, stale, modeled, or missing readings conservatively.

Mount Adams — 5774 ft • Presidential Range

Appalachia trailhead - US 2, Randolph.

Trailhead parking

Roadside parking, can be crowded on weekends

Trailhead

Appalachia trailhead - US 2, Randolph.

Capacity

60 vehicles (est.)

Dolly Copp (Pinkham B) Rd

FR 71

Closed

District Andro • Last updated Nov 19, 2025

Trailheads: Dolly Copp Campground Trailhead • Howker Ridge Trailhead (Bumpus Brook) • Pinkham B Road Trailheads

Verify official sources and posted signs before driving to a trailhead.

Technical difficulty (1-10)

Physical effort (1-10)

Difficulty class

Very Difficult

Typical completion time

7–9 hours - round-trip via Valley Way.

Risk factors

Above treeline exposure, Severe weather, Navigation, No cell service

Preparation notes

Check a summit forecast and carry windproof/warm layers; turn back if visibility or lightning risk increases. Download offline maps and do not rely on cell service; leave a plan with someone.

Bailout distance

0 mi

Weather exposure

High - very exposed to wind/cold above treeline.

Field planning note

Valley Way & Osgood Trail - via Madison Hut. - 8.3 - 4,100 - Very difficult - Out & back - same route. Yes - Madison Spring Hut near treeline offers water when open. Roadside parking, can be crowded on weekends

Water availability

Yes - Madison Spring Hut near treeline offers water when open.

Cell reception

Spotty - possibly at summit; generally weak elsewhere.

Best seasons

Summer and fall - winter for experienced only.

Terrain

Steep, rocky trail; extensive boulders near summit

Scramble sections

Yes - class 2 rock hopping and light scrambling on summit approach.

View type

360° - summit is alpine with sweeping views.

Summit marker

Rocky cairn - no sign; summit is a pile of boulders.

Flora / environment

Mixed hardwood and boreal forest low; alpine zone above ~4,500 ft

Nearby 4,000-footer connections

Mount Adams

Mount Madison Route & Conditions

Route

Mount Madison's standard hiking options include Valley Way & Osgood Trail - via Madison Hut at 8.3 miles with 4,100 feet of gain and Airline Trail - direct ridge ascent at 8.4 miles with 4,100 feet of gain. A typical completion time is 7–9 hours - round-trip via Valley Way.

Terrain and exposure

This is a very difficult Presidential Range hike. Expect steep, rocky trail; extensive boulders near summit. Scrambling includes class 2 rock hopping and light scrambling on summit approach. Upper-mountain terrain includes mixed hardwood and boreal forest low; alpine zone above ~4,500 ft and 360°, summit is alpine with sweeping views. Weather and exposure are defining planning concerns here: high, very exposed to wind/cold above treeline.

Weather window

The best normal hiking window is summer and fall, roughly winter for experienced only. Check a summit forecast and carry windproof/warm layers; turn back if visibility or lightning risk increases.

Water, signal, and bailout

Water is available: madison Spring Hut near treeline offers water when open. Cell reception is spotty, possibly at summit; generally weak elsewhere. Bailout options include Madison Spring Hut as shelter and descend Valley Way, most protected route. Nearby live water context is available from Peabody River, Peabody River, and Androscoggin River.

Trailhead and access

The most common trailhead is Appalachia Trailhead, with room for about 60 vehicles. Roadside parking, can be crowded on weekends. Other linked starts include Edmands Col Cutoff / Airline Trailhead (Bowman), Dolly Copp Campground Trailhead, Howker Ridge Trailhead (Bumpus Brook), and Valley Way Trailhead (Appalachia), and 2 more. Seasonal access-road context includes Dolly Copp (Pinkham B) Rd.

Connected route context

Major linked trails include Valley Way Trail, Osgood Trail, Howker Ridge Trail, Watson Path, and Pine Link Trail. Nearby 4,000-footer connections include Mount Adams.

Mount Madison

Area Map

Trails

Current Summit Weather

Astronomy

Monthly Weather Averages

Water & Crossing Context

Nearby Peaks & Connections

Parking & Access

Access roads & trailheads

Dolly Copp (Pinkham B) Rd

Difficulty Metrics

Risk & Preparation

Wilderness Safety

Trail & Terrain

Conditions & Access

Mount Madison Route & Conditions