The New Hampshire 4,000 footers are a list of the forty-eight highest peaks in the White Mountains. The Appalachain Mountain Club manages this list and awards hikers when they hike to the summit of all 48 peaks. There are many hiking lists for peaks in New England and beyond, and hikers from far and wide come to the White Mountains for some of the best hikes in the northeast.

None of these mountains should be underestimated because hiking is inherently risky. Doing the proper research and being prepared is imperitive to have a safe hike in these mountains. If you’re brand new to hiking, consider hiking one of my favorite short mountains in the Whites. I’ve also used my difficulty rating system to rate all of the hikes below, so check that out here and click on the trail links for my past trip reports on those trails for more information. Look at the bottom of this page for more resources to help you prepare and be safe in the Whites!

Mt. Tecumseh

Trail: Mt. Tecumseh Trail

This was one of Lucy and my first 4,000 footers, and it was a great hike to get us started in our quest to the 48. It’s one of my favorites to recommend to new hikers especially in the Boston area because it’s just a two hour drive to the trailhead. Mt. Tecumseh Tr starts at the Waterville Valley ski resort and goes up to the summit for just a five mile hike. There are some nice but not expansive views and the trail is not too steep along the way, resembling a well maintained staircase all the way up. Although the views may be a little underwhelming, I think this is a good hike to start with to see if hiking is something you’re interested in.

Mt. Osceola

Trail: Mt. Osceola Trail

Osceola is one of my favorite peaks with expansive views of almost all of the 4,000 footers for just a short and gradual hike. This is an amazing hike to introduce people to hiking because there are such amazing views at such a low barrier to entry. Although the trail is rocky, it’s very gradual climb to the summit. There’s also an option to include East Osceola which adds an extra 2 miles if you’re feeling ambitious, but beware of the chimney that stands in between them. It’s a tricky little climb that I think is lots of fun but could be nerve wracking to new hikers!

Mt. Moosilauke

Trail: Gorge Brook Tr, Carriage Rd, Snapper Tr

Although Mt. Moosilauke stands at a daunting 4,802 ft, it can be a relatively easy 4,000 footer if you take the right trails. Hiking up Gorge Brook to the summit is the easiest way to the top, and is a perfect loop when paired with Carriage Road over the south peak and back down Snapper Trail. Th Ravine Lodge trailhead is 1,000 feet higher in elevation than the other trailheads, so hiking this mountain from another route can be much more strenuous.

There is a 360 degree panoramic view from the above treeline summit, so be prepared for the elements and be cautious in inclement weather. Be sure to stay on the rocky trail to protect the fragile grasses and other flora and fauna that lives up there. This hike can be just as dangerous as the above treeline peaks in the northern Presidentials if the weather turns.

Mt. Jackson

Trail: Jackson-Webster Tr (Jackson Branch)

One of my favorite parts of hiking Mt. Jackson is all of the viewpoints along the way. Elephant Head is a short ways off the trail with views down into Crawford Notch very early into the hike. Bugle Cliff is right off the trail and gives a more expansive view of the notch. I really like that here you can see all the way down to the Highland Center near the trailhead. It looks so far away and I find that really motivating while I’m hiking up.

The summit has amazing views of Mt. Washington just a few miles away but is not above treeline so the weather can be a little more mellow here. There is a set of slabby rock right before the summit that can be tricky, but the views are totally worth the climb! There’s also the popular option to loop in Mt. Webster while you’re up there for an extra 2.3 miles. Webster is not a 4,000 footer but has great views and is one of the peaks on the 52 With a View list.

Mt. Pierce

Trail: Crawford Connector, Crawford Path

Pierce is a summit that I’ve returned to time and time again because it’s so accessible and rewarding with great views and a short hike. Crawford Path is the oldest hiking trail in the United States, but it’s beautifully maintained making it a very pleasent and gentle hike to the summit. The trail isn’t steep and it’s protected by trees until the summit so there’s good coverage if the weather turns unexpectedly. The views of Mt. Washington and the southern Presidentials are breathtaking.

This hike is often done as a traverse with the neighboring Mt. Eisenhower and a car spot to the Edmunds Path trailhead. This means that you leave one car at one trailhead and another at the other trailhead and hike from one to another, shuttling yourself back to the first trailhead after.

Mt. Eisenhower

Trail: Edmands Path

The hike up Edmunds Path to the summit of Mt. Eisenhower is a gorgeous and relatively gradual path with views starting before arriving at the summit. A good portion of this hike is above treeline, so make sure you check the weather before you head out and don’t forget your wind layer! The Mt. Eisenhower summit is breathtaking. Its a large flat area with a giant cairn in the middle and 360 degree views of mountains far and wide.

Hiking Pierce and Eisenhower together is just one extra mile. The tricky part is that this mile is almost completely above treeline so weather conditions can make it treacherous. That being said traversing between the two peaks is a really amazing stretch of trail and for just an extra mile it’s so worth it!

Each one of the NH 48 peaks are difficult in their own right and come with unique challenges, but some are more accessible than others. In my opinion, the seven peaks above are the easiest 4,000 footers in NH and a great place to start if you’re determined to start hiking the 48!