Women’s Presidential Peaks Trek
Appalachian Trail Hikes
4 Days, 3 Nights 15MI / 24KM
Trip Highlights
Join Wildland Trekking for a women-only, women-led trek through New Hampshire’s dramatic White Mountains! We will spend incredible 4 days in the highest mountains in New Hampshire, the Presidential Range! Known as the centerpiece of the White Mountains, the Presidential Range culminates at the highest point in the Northeastern United States – the summit of Mount Washington at 6,288 feet above sea level!
This trek offers an opportunity that is rare in the USA – the ability to hike deep into stunning wilderness while spending our nights in comfortable backcountry huts. Our trek will take us from the ecologically diverse forests that encompass the amazing White Mountains (home to black bear, moose, fox and more) up to high alpine ridges and peaks where expansive views will take your breath away. Our route follows the Appalachian Trail across multiple iconic summits including Mounts Monroe, Mount Eisenhower, Mount Franklin and Mount Pierce to name a few. And our nightly lodging includes a comfortable bunk, running water, toilets, hearty meals and outstanding company.
Please note: this trip will consist of only women guests and guides, however the huts are co-ed and will likely be mixed gender.
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Women Only Trip
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Appalachian Trail Hiking
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Cozy Backcountry Huts
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Summit Mount Washington
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Mountain Creeks & Alpine Lakes
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Gourmet Lunches & Hot Drinks
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Summit opportunity on Mt. Washington
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Appalachian Trail Hikes -
Trip Length
4 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
4-6 mi -
Group Size
2-6 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trail is typical New England hiking with steep ascents over short distances with no switchbacks. Expect technical, broken terrain that will sometimes require you to use both hands going both up and down. Day one includes significant scrambling over large boulders and some smooth rock slabs. Guests often need extra coaching and guidance to navigate this section. Thanks to the huts, our packs are on the lighter side and distances are generally short. Ultimately this trip is between level 3 and 4, tending slightly toward 3.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Today you will meet up with your guide and group at the AMC Highland Center, located in the impressive Crawford Notch. We will rendezvous at 5 PM but consider arriving a day or two early to enjoy this stunning area! Family-style dinner is included tonight after meeting our group, chatting about our trip logistics, and issuing some lightweight gear. After dinner, we will settle into our private room lodging in order to be well-rested and prepared for tomorrow’s adventure.
Day 2
Shuttle to Trailhead: 20 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 6.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 3800 feet
Elevation Loss: 1300 feet
After a hearty buffet-style breakfast, we will shuttle to our starting trailhead to begin our trek. Our hike begins gradually with stunning views of the Ammonoosuc River. The steepness will increase drastically during our last mile, with exciting rock scrambling (sometimes using both hands) among beautiful waterfalls and mountain views. It’ll be hard work, but we’ll take a long lunch break at our gorgeous hut, perched above treeline near breathtaking alpine lakes and with phenomenal views.
Lakes of the Clouds hut is a must-see and was voted one of America’s best huts by BACKPACKER Magazine. After we drop gear and fuel up, we will make a summit attempt of Mount Washington, weather and desire permitting. Mount Washington is known for its extreme weather, and the trails are rugged, rocky, and steep – but the breathtaking views from the top are well worth it! This day takes us all the way from forest to the alpine zone and ends with a hearty meal and a cozy bunk!
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 4.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1235 feet
Elevation Loss: 1235 feet
Today we’ll have the option to traverse some of the namesakes of the Presidential Peaks, including Mount Monroe (5,372 ft) and Mount Eisenhower (4,780 ft). We will wake to a tasty breakfast in the hut, pack our gear and head off on a section of the Appalachian Trail known as the oldest maintained footpath in the US. Today’s hike is a stunning, sustained ridge walk above treeline with spectacular vistas and mountain scenery. We can expect steep, rocky, and rugged trails if we choose to summit the Presidential Mountains along our route or opt for smoother and more level trails by traversing the ridgeline around the summits. But regardless, we’ll have a steep, scrambling last half-mile as we descend into the trees to end our day at tonight’s hut – Mizpah Springs. We will settle in for the evening and enjoy another meal prepared by the friendly staff in the cozy and comfortable hut.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 2.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 50 feet
Elevation Loss: 1929 feet
Shuttle: 15 minutes
After our last delicious breakfast together at our hut, we’ll head off on our descent trail toward the Appalachian Mountain Club Highland Center. We’ll enjoy a gradual descent through lush old-growth forest to the trailhead. After the hike, your guide will prepare a lovely lunch back at the AMC Highland Center, where we’ll say our goodbyes to new friends and a fantastic adventure.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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One night in a private room with private bath at the stunning AMC Highland Center
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Two nights of bunkroom accommodations in backcountry huts in the White Mountains
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Use of top-of-the-line backpack and trekking poles
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Appropriately rated sleeping bag professionally laundered after every trip
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All meals are included from dinner the first day through lunch on the last day
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Roundtrip transportation from the Appalachian Mountain Club Highland Center to the trailhead and back
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Waterbottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-15% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Highland Center
1 night
This unique mountain lodge in the stunning location of Crawford Notch, New Hampshire is operated by the same conservation organization that runs the backcountry hut system. The lodge has cozy rooms, general living room and patio with breathtaking views. Wildland guests are in private rooms with shared or private baths.
White Mountain Huts
2 nights
The White Mountain backcountry huts are remote and in spectacular settings. They offer us the opportunity to sleep above treeline in cozy, indoor “lodging.” The accommodations are in co-ed bunkrooms with separate bathrooms with flush toilets. The bunkhouses are not heated, have no lighting, and electrical outlets are not available.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
You will meet your guide and group on Day 1 at 5pm at the AMC Highland Center near Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. Your guide will contact you approximately 2 weeks before your trip to coordinate the exact meeting place and pick-up time.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Bretton Woods
All White Mountains trips begin and end at the AMC Highland Center near Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. Most guests fly into a regional New Hampshire airport and drive to Bretton Woods via rental car. The nearest airport to is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in central New Hampshire, approximately two driving hours away. Manchester-Boston is served by domestic airlines including Delta, United, Southwest, and American. Many international carriers serve Logan International Airport in Boston, an additional 30 minutes away in Massachusetts. Bretton Woods is also accessible via bus, Greyhound and Concord bus lines.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO THE HIGHLAND CENTER
From central and south-central New Hampshire (Manchester, Concord, etc.):
- Take Interstate 93 North to Route 3 North (Exit 35).
- Take Route 3 North to Route 302 East (near Twin Mountain).
- Take Route 302 East approximately 10 miles to the Highland Center, located roadside right on Route 302.
From Boston and its suburbs:
- Take Interstate 93 North to central New Hampshire.
- Follow directions above for central New Hampshire. From Portland, Maine:
- Take Route 302 West to the Crawford Notch Depot Visitor Center, located roadside left on Route 302.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first hiking day’s departure time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 7 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Reviews
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Melissa M
1 year agoAmazing Time
I had an amazing time on my Presidential Peaks Tour in New Hampshire! The guide and the other Ladies were so much fun. I am from Kentucky and a beginning hiker. The terrain was indeed challenging but I made it with the encouragement of my guide and group. This was my 3rd trip with Wildland Trekking.
Lisa M
1 year agoVery well run organization.
I would (and have) recommend Wildland to anyone interested in taking a trip adventure. From providing equipment to providing advice and encouragement, our guide was absolutely exceptional. Lisa is exceptionally knowledgeable, confidence- inspiring, respectful, kind, and professional. She had the perfect skill set and personality to be an excellent and inspiring trip leader. I plan to use Wildland for my future trips, it is a very well run organization.
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