5 Best 4000 Footers to get started with in New Hampshire
A White Mountain Hiking Guide
Last Updated May 21, 2025
Guest Author: Joanna Currier, local White Mountain hiking enthusiast and frequent hiking group leader here to share the best 4,000 foot mountain to get started.
“Which 4,000 foot mountain in New Hampshire should I start with?”
A question that has been following our guest author Joanna Currier since she started her hiking journey back in 2019, I’m excited to share what the 5 best 4,000 foot mountains that she recommends whenever this question is brought up, along with the best routes, the best view points, and she even gives parking tips!
*Don’t forget to get your FREE download with all 5 best peaks so that you can print it out and cross them out as you get started on your journey to finish all 48!
So what are the best 4,000 footers to start with?
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Before getting into the list, I think it’s important to cover some basic safety precautions, which is especially important when hiking in the White Mountains, an area known for sudden and dramatic shifts in weather.
Important safety precautions when hiking in New Hampshire’s White Mountains:
- Always check the weather before heading out. Check the hourly weather for the valley as well as the weather at the summit. Make sure you’re checking not only during the planning stage a couple days out, but look again before you leave your house for the trail. It might have changed!
- Always pack the essential ten. More about that here.
- If you’re a beginner hiker, I suggest going with a buddy. While Joanna suggests some “easy” hikes, they are not easy! Save the solo hikes for something shorter and smaller until you get some experience under your belt. More about hiking solo here.
- Remember to Leave No Trace. Seriously- please don’t litter ❤️
- Have FUN!
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let me introduce today’s guest author, Joanna Currier, in her own words:
joanna at the summit of Mt. Washingont
Meet Joanna Currier
Many friends and family members have either humored me in my hiking obsession or been genuinely interested in getting started in their hiking career with the question: “Which 4,000 footer should I start with?” As a teacher and a hiking enthusiast, nothing makes me happier than helping others discover something new, so putting together this list feels especially meaningful—it’s a way for me to share my passion, open new horizons, and offer a few safe places to start for anyone ready to hit the mountains! As always: be a safe hiker by bringing the 10 essentials and checking the weather before you depart. Be safe, leave no trace, and have fun!
-Joanna
#1 Best 4,000 Foot Mountain to Get Started: Mount Jackson
Distance
5.2 Miles out and back
Duration
6 Hours
Elevation Gain
2,250 feet
Difficulty
Hard
One of the shorter and easier to get to Presidential peaks in the Crawford Notch, Mount Jackson (4,052ft. Via the Webster-Jackson Trail) offers a fun rock scramble, gorgeous 360 degree views, and some do-able stream crossings. This is a quick win that you can happily cross off your list of 48 4,000 footers with only 5.2 miles of trail.
Directions
From the crossroads of Rt. 3 and Rt. 302 in the town of Twin Mountain drive East on 302 for 9 miles. The trailhead is on the side of Rt. 302 on your left.
Parking
There are 3 options. The AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch, The Crawford Notch Depot, or in the dirt parking lot across the street from the trailhead.
Best Part
Views facing the Presidential Range and some minor rock scrambles.
Alternative Routes
My personal recommendation is to do Mount Webster and Mount Jackson together. This approach would be 6.4 miles and 2,385 ft. of elevation gain. This loop will have you bang a right at the fork towards Webster first.
You will see the beautiful Silver Cascade Pool and the stunning views from Webster.
A bonus is that Webster is on the 52 With A View list. The section of Webster Cliff Trail that you will follow from Webster to Jackson is a little boggy, but has amazing views along the way.
After summiting Jackson you make your way down the Jackson Branch of the Webster-Jackson trail.
#2 Best 4,000 Foot Mountain to Get Started: Mount Hale
Distance
4.4 Miles out and back
Duration
3-4 Hours
Elevation Gain
2,300 feet
Difficulty
Moderate
Mount Hale is located in Twin Mountain New Hampshire, and features waterfalls, views of the mountain as your trek up, and even grey jays at the clearly marked summit. The mountain is 4,054ft., tall and the trail you’ll take is Hale Brook Trail.
You do have to drive up Zealand Road which is closed during the winters, so keep that in mind if this is a winter hike for you.
Not terribly steep and quite short with less than 5 miles of trail, Hale is a fun way to get a taste of the other 48 on your list. Although the summit has a shrouded view, it’s still a fun experience!
Directions
From the crossroads of Rt. 3 and Rt. 302 in the town of Twin Mountain drive East on 302 for 2.2 miles to Zealand Road on your right. Drive 2.5 miles down Zealand Road to the trailhead on your right. (Zealand Road is gated during winter.)
Parking
Dirt parking lot at the trailhead has room for about 10 cars.
Best Part
This hike has a beautiful birch glade that you walk through on your way up. While there is no view at the top, there is an impressive cairn at the summit.
#3 Best 4,000 Foot Mountain to Get Started: Mount Waumbek
Distance
7.2 Miles out and back
Duration
4-5 Hours
Elevation Gain
2,800 feet
Difficulty
Hard
Part of the Pliney Range, Waumbeck in Jefferson, New Hampshire stands at 4,006 ft. tall and is accessed via the Starr King Trail. Taking you on a beautiful stroll through a hardwood forest where the trail is steady, but never aggressively steep, you first summit Starr King Mtn. which features the best views.
You get a south looking view of the entire Presidential Range, as well as the flat plains of Jefferson where many artifacts from the Abenaki tribe have been found.
Following along the Starr King Trail you’ll pass an old rock chimney, the only remains of a homestead, and continue to the shrouded summit of Mount Waumbeck. Keep an eye out for the cairn, or you might walk right past the summit!
Directions
From the junction of Rt. 115 and Rt. 2 in Jefferson, head West on Rt. 2 towards the town of Jefferson for 3.7 miles. Starr King Rd. will be on your right. Follow the road to the end, baring left and being respectful of the private properties to the right.
Parking
At the trailhead there is room for about 6 cars in a dirt lot.
Best Part
This trail is a beautiful well-graded walk through the woods. For most of the way you are following an old logging road that is relatively wide with good footing. You pass an old well and chimney. The best views are at Mt. Starr King (another 52WAV), which is about 2.6 miles up before you continue on to the summit of Mount Waumbek.
#4 Best 4,000 Foot Mountain to Get Started: Mount Tecumseh
distance
6.2 Miles out and back
Duration
3-4 hours
Elevation gain
2,500 feet
Difficulty
Hard
Tecumseh in Waterville Valley stands at 4,003 ft. tall and is accessed via the Mt. Tecumseh trail from Tripoli Rd.
The view at the top is slightly shrouded, but there is a clearing. You can see the rest of Waterville Valley to the south and it’s quite beautiful.
Directions
From I-93 take Exit 31 onto Tripoli Rd. Drive about 5.5 miles down Tripoli Rd. to Tecumseh Trailhead on your right. (Tripoli Rd. is closed in winter.)
Parking
At the trailhead there is room for about 10 cars in a dirt lot.
Best Part
This trail is a beautiful walk through a remote forest with lots of moss, mushrooms, and boulders. At the summit you will have limited views down to Waterville Valley.
#5 Best 4,000 Foot Mountain to Get Started: Mount Pierce
distance
6.4 Miles out and back
Duration
4-5 hours
elevation gain
2,400 feet
Difficulty
hard
Mt. Pierce is located in the Crawford Notch and is part of the Presidential Range. Standing at 4,310 ft, you’ll take the famed Crawford Path to the summit. Pierce is a fun one, with plenty of natural beauty such as waterfalls and views to keep you engaged all the way up.
did you know?
The Crawford Path is the oldest continuously maintained trail in the United States
Built in 1819 by Ethan Allen Crawford and his father Abel, it runs a little over 8 miles long. The Crawford family played a big part of popularizing tourism in the White Mountains, which is why you might recognize some other areas featuring the Crawford name.
Directions
From the crossroads of Rt. 3 and Rt. 302 in the town of Twin Mountain drive East on 302 for almost 9 miles. Take Mt. Clinton Rd. on your left for under a quarter mile and then the Crawford Connector Trailhead parking lot is on your left.
Parking
Recommended: Crawford Connector Trailhead. There is a large paved lot with restrooms. Alternatively you could park at the AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch.
Best Part
This historical hiking trail brings your gradually up to the Presidential Range past waterfalls and spruce forests. Pierce has a sprawling summit with fantastic views towards the northern Presidentials.
Alternative Routes
If visiting the AMC High Huts interests you or if having a proper toilet and readymade snacks available interests you then definitely visit Mizpah Spring Hut along your way.
Instead of taking the Crawford Path all the way to the summit, take the Mizpah Cutoff at about 2 miles in and then after your visit take the Webster Cliff Trail to the summit. This last section is full of fun scrambles and views.
Wrapping up, the White Mountains truly shine when you find the right fit—and we hope you found it among Joanna’s list of the 5 best 4000 footers for beginners. It’s a classic way to experience New Hampshire at your own pace, learning as you go. Pick any of the easiest 4000 footers from our list, fill your pack with essentials, and set your sights on that summit sign. Share your journey below and inspire someone else to start theirs!
If you’re looking for this guide to stay on your phone or want to print it to cross them off as you hike along, enter your name and email below and we’ll send it over, completely for free!
Let us know in the comments if you’ve done any of these hikes or if you have a favorite hike to add!
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