The 5 Easiest 4,000 Footers in New Hampshire
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The New Hampshire 4,000 Footers consist of 48 of the tallest mountains in New Hampshire. The list was created by AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club), who published the list officially in 1958. To be on the list, mountains must be over 4,000 feet in height and have at least 200 feet of prominence. Once a hiker completes the New Hampshire 4,000 Footer list, they can apply for a patch and become a part of the “AMC Four Thousand Footer Club.”
If you are looking to begin conquering the tallest mountains in New Hampshire but are unsure where to start, this guide will help you! I will review (in no particular order) the five 4,000 footers I believe are the easiest and best to begin with.
**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly.
#1 Easiest 4,000 Footer: Mt. Osceola (4,340’)
Trail: Mount Osceola Trail
Miles: 6.4
Mt. Osceola was the first 4,000 footer I conquered and will always hold a special place in my heart. The best trail to the summit is Mount Osceola Trail which gains over 2,000 feet of elevation. The elevation gain is gradual with switchbacks up to the top and is never very steep. Although the summit doesn’t have 360° views, it still has beautiful views of the White Mountains. The view from Mt. Osceola is one of my favorites!
If you want to add another 4,000 footer to the hike, East Osceola (4,157’) is a little over one mile from Mt. Osceola’s summit. It does add difficulty to the hike because there is the “ladder”, which requires you to scale rocks. If you are up to the challenge, it is a great addition! East Osceola’s summit does not offer any views, but since this is an out-and-back trail, the trail brings you back over Mt. Osceola to get more beautiful views!
*To read a full trail review, check out my Mt. Osceola blog post.
#2 Easiest 4,000 Footer: Mt. Jackson (4,052’)
Trail: Webster-Jackson Trail
Miles: 5.2
Mt. Jackson is one of the easiest Presidentials and is a great beginner 4,000-footer hike! The best trail to the summit is the Webster-Jackson Trail which gains over 2,000 feet of elevation. This hike has a few steep sections, but it levels out in between for a nice break! The Webster-Jackson Trail has a small rock scramble section to the summit, but it is nothing to worry about if it is your first-time rock scrambling. Mt. Jackson offers beautiful 360° views of the surrounding Presidentials!
If you want to make the hike longer, you can follow the loop to Mt. Webster (3,911’), which is another beautiful mountain offering incredible views. If you add Mt. Webster onto the hike, the total mileage will be about 6 miles. Either way, you will be conquering your first of the Presidential mountains!!
*To read a full trail review, check out my Mt. Jackson blog post.
#3 Easiest 4,000 Footer: Mt. Waumbek (4,006’)
Trail: Starr King Trail
Miles: 7.2
Mt. Waumbek is the third shortest 4,000 footer and is hiked with Mt. Starr King (3,907’). Mt. Waumbek has a wooded summit, but the views from Mt. Starr King make up for it! The best trail to Mt. Waumbek is the Starr King Trail which gains over 2,500 feet of elevation. This hike, although easy, will kick your butt with the elevation gain. It is a stair stepper, and for those of you who don’t yet know what that means in terms of hiking, it means you will be climbing up rock steps the whole way. It kicked our butts when we hiked it on a humid summer day!
Mt. Starr King is the first summit and offers beautiful views of the Presidentials. Mt. Waumbek’s summit is a quick and easy mile after Mt. Starr King and does not offer any views. The summit is wooded and only has a rock cairn to note where the summit is. It’s a great place to rest before heading back to Mt. Starr King to take in the views one last time before heading back to the car.
*To read a full trail review, check out my Mt. Waumbek blog post.
#4 Easiest 4,000 Footer: Mt. Hale (4,055’)
Trail: Hale Brook Trail
Miles: 4.4
Mt. Hale is, in my opinion, the easiest 4,000 footer and the best beginner 4,000-footer hike if you are okay with not having any views. The best trail to Mt. Hale is Hale Brook Trail which gains over 2,000 feet of elevation. Mt. Hale’s summit has a wide-open patch of grass surrounded by trees that block your view. I honestly did not mind that it didn’t have views because it was a short and easy hike!
Although I mentioned Mt. Hale being the easiest 4,000 footer, it still gains 2,200 feet of elevation. Hale Brook Trail is another stair stepper without any breaks. That means your glutes are going to feel it the whole time! This hike goes by quickly, so as soon as you don’t think you can’t take the stair-stepping any longer, you will arrive at the top!
*To read a full trail review, check out my Mt. Hale blog post.
#5 Easiest 4,000 Footer: Mt. Tecumseh (4,003’)
Trail: Mount Tecumseh Trail
Miles: 5
Mt. Tecumseh is the baby of the 4,000 footers. It is the shortest 4,000 footer and is currently under research if it should still be considered a 4,000 footer. Mt. Tecumseh is a part of Waterville Valley, so I’m sure most of you have seen the mountain. The best trail to Mt. Tecumseh is Mount Tecumseh Trail which gains over 2,000 feet of elevation. Similar to Mt. Waumbeck and Mt. Hale, this trail is another stair stepper. Mount Tecumseh Trail kicked our butts and seemed to be never-ending!
Mt. Tecumseh’s summit is another wooded summit with a small view of the White Mountains. If you want better views, you can hike 0.6 miles along the Sosman Trail to the ski slopes on Waterville Valley. The views are incredible there! The trail to the ski slopes is not difficult, so I recommend adding it to your hike!
*To read a full trail review, check out my Mt. Tecumseh blog post.
What to Pack for Hiking New Hampshire’s 4,000 Footers
Hiking Boots: You should want comfort and support on your hikes, so hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for hiking.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and other hiking gear, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
Have you tackled these beginner 4,000 footers and want to conquer more? I reviewed and provided trail descriptions of New Hampshire’s 4,000 Footers to help you prepare for your next hike!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
