The White Mountains of New Hampshire are among New England's most extraordinary wild places. This vast mountain region spans 800,000 acres of protected forest, alpine wilderness, and some of the most rewarding trails in the eastern United States, anchored by Mount Washington, the Northeast's highest peak.
Hikers come from across the country to explore over 2,000 miles of trails, the Appalachian Mountain Club's extensive hut system. Tackle a 4,000-footer for the first time or work toward completing all 48 peaks. The White Mountains offer a lifetime of terrain to explore on foot. The White Mountains are a shared resource. Visitors are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles, stay on marked trails, and leave every corner of this landscape exactly as they found it for future generations.
Cyclists find equal reward with world-class mountain biking trails alongside gravel routes and low-traffic scenic byways. The Kancamagus Highway is a legendary road cycling corridor, and trail networks continue to grow thanks to local land stewardship efforts. Visit Bike the North Country for more information.
Beyond the summits, the region rewards slower exploration like the boardwalks through ancient glacier-carved gorges at Flume Gorge and Lost River. For those looking to take in the peaks another way, the Mount Washington Cog Railway has carried visitors to the summit since 1869, making it one of the most storied mountain experiences in the country. Charming downtowns in Bethlehem and Littleton offer locally owned shops, restaurants, and breweries worth the visit.
The communities surrounding the White Mountains reflect the same values as the landscape itself: rooted, resilient, and genuinely welcoming. This is a destination shaped by people who call this place home.