Presidential Traverse Hut-to-Hut

4 days / 3 nights

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Tackle the entire Presidential Traverse, a journey of peaks and panoramas, where every step ascends into the legends of the White Mountains.

Starting point

Appalachia Trailhead

Finish point

Webster Cliff Trailhead

Season

From May to September

Technical level

5/5

Fitness level

4/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

Tackle the entire Presidential Traverse, a journey of peaks and panoramas, where every step ascends into the legends of the White Mountains.

from:

650 €

/person

Self guided

From:

650 €/person

Send an inquiry

Samo

Travel Expert

Book a call

Tackle the entire Presidential Traverse, a journey of peaks and panoramas, where every step ascends into the legends of the White Mountains.

Starting point

Appalachia Trailhead

Finish point

Webster Cliff Trailhead

Season

From May to September

Technical level

5/5

Fitness level

4/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

Conquer the Presidential Peaks
Navigate through the unique alpine tundra above the treeline
Experience the iconic AMC high-mountain huts nestled amidst the peaks
Revel in the achievement of summiting all Presidential Peaks in a single journey
Discover the varied terrain of the Presidential Traverse
Cherish the unparalleled beauty of sunrise and sunset along this legendary trail

Itinerary of the trip

A shuttle run by the AMC takes you to the Appalachia Trailhead, where the Presidential Traverse begins. The path initially winds through the forest on the lower slopes of Mount Madison. It is rocky and uneven, requiring sure-footedness. As you emerge above the tree line, you’ll be greeted by the typical alpine tundra. Soon after, you’ll reach the first Presidential Peak – Mount Madison. After enjoying the incredible views for some time, you’ll descend to Madison Spring Hut, where you’ll spend the night.

Hiking

3.9 miles and 4040 feet of elevation gain / 560 feet of elevation loss

Gallery

Your crossing of the Presidential Peaks continues today as you ascend Mount Adams and continue towards Mount Jefferson. The path constantly climbs up and down different peaks, thus overcoming a significant altitude difference. Your last climb of the day will take you to the summit of the highest mountain in the northeast of the US, Mount Washington. With an asphalt road and cog railway leading up to its peak, you’ll get a feeling that you left the wild for a while. From there, you’ll only have to descend to Lakes of the Clouds Hut and settle in for the night.

Hiking

7 miles and 3380 feet of elevation gain / 3150 feet of elevation loss

Gallery

There are still three Presidential Peaks left to conquer, and you’ll traverse them all today. With all of them being lower than the first four, the path mostly runs downhill with some minor climbs. The first of those takes you to the summit of Mount Monroe. From there, the trail descends towards Mount Eisenhower and Mount Pierce before reaching Mizpah Spring Hut with a steep downhill section, where you’ll have to exercise some additional caution.

Hiking

4.6 miles and 1100 feet of elevation gain / 2320 feet of elevation loss

Gallery

On your last day, you have two options: either descend from the hut and head straight for the AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch or continue toward the last two additional peaks on the trail: Mount Jackson and Mount Webster (the other two being Mount Clay and Mount Franklin, which you summited on days 2 and 3 respectively). The path mostly runs downwards, descending along the edge of the Webster Cliffs before concluding at Webster Cliff Trailhead, where you’ll board a shuttle.

Hiking

5.5 miles and 860 feet of elevation gain / 3400 feet of elevation loss

Gallery

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

3x accommodation with half-board in AMC Mountain Huts

Tour design and organization

Booklet with detailed itinerary and route instructions

Service and support during your hike

GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

What to bring to the tour

Hiking shoes/boots
25 to 35-liter backpack
Base layer
Sports T-shirts
Hiking shorts
Hiking water-repellent pants
Waterproof jacket
Midlayer
Sports socks and underwear
Leisurewear for evenings

Shade hat/cap
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Hiking poles
ID card or passport
Snacks
Cash
Water bottles or hydration pack
Toiletries

Step into the realm of giants on the Presidential Traverse Hut-to-Hut journey, an experience meticulously designed for those who seek adventure and a piece of American history.

This classic trail adventure focuses on the majesty of the Presidential Peaks, presenting an unparalleled opportunity to traverse the most iconic summits of the White Mountains.

In this adventure, hikers traverse all seven Presidential Peaks and can opt to extend their journey across four additional peaks, fully experiencing the White Mountains' grandeur.

From the rugged trails of Mount Madison to the legendary heights of Mount Washington, each step of this journey is a testament to the wild, untamed beauty of the Northeast's alpine wilderness.

The path, marked by rocky and uneven terrain, demands diligence and sure-footedness, offering a genuine challenge that rewards spectacular vistas and a profound sense of accomplishment.

The traverse weaves through the alpine tundra above the treeline, where the expansive views across New England are your constant companion.

Each peak conquered brings its own unique perspective, from the stark beauty of Mount Adams to the inviting slopes of Mount Monroe, Eisenhower, and Pierce, before the descent towards the serene embrace of the AMC huts.

Aligning with the essence of the grand traverse, our support for you remains steadfast. Your accommodations in the AMC huts are booked, ensuring a restful end to each exhilarating day.

The journey is complemented by a personalized travel booklet, GPS navigation assistance, and unwavering 24/7 support, ensuring you're well-equipped to face the challenges of the trail.

For those ready to embrace the challenge and the beauty of this extraordinary traverse, the Presidential Traverse Hut-to-Hut awaits.

Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Hut-to-hut hiking allows you to trek from one fully serviced hut to another, traversing wilderness areas without the burden of heavy camping gear. Each hut provides a warm meal and a bed, ensuring comfort amidst the adventure.

Inn-to-inn hiking connects more populated areas, featuring stays in hotels or B&Bs for a less physically demanding journey. It’s ideal for those who prefer scenic walks with the comfort of modern amenities at day’s end.

Our Northern California treks are beginner-friendly, offering comfortable inn-to-inn hikes through scenic landscapes. However, hikes in the White Mountains, Rogue River Canyon, and Yosemite involve more challenging wilderness trails suited for experienced hikers due to their rugged and remote nature.

All our hikes include meals at the start and end of each day, whether you’re staying in huts or hotels/B&Bs. This ensures you start your day energized and end it with a satisfying meal without needing to carry food supplies.

We equip you with a detailed, personalized travel booklet containing all the necessary information for a safe journey, alongside recommendations to enhance your experience. GPS navigation and a user-friendly navigation app are also provided to guide you along your chosen route.

Yes, our self-guided tours are designed for solo adventurers and groups. Enjoy the freedom of hiking at your own pace, supported by our comprehensive guidance and 24/7 assistance.

Luggage transfers are available on our inn-to-inn hikes, where your belongings are transported by vehicle to your next accommodation. However, due to the remote locations of the huts, accessible only by foot, luggage transfer is not feasible for hut-to-hut hikes.

Most huts operate seasonally, typically open during the summer, the ideal time for high mountain hikes. Our Northern California hikes, however, are accessible in spring and fall, offering a wider window for your adventures.

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from:

650 €

/person

Self guided

From:

650 €/person

Send an inquiry

Samo

Travel Expert

Book a call

Ratings & Reviews

5.0 average rating

+11

Birgit Kindler

Verifed customer · 1 year ago

We had a lovely hike today with our guide Klemen. He personalized the tour on our needs and interests, so that we saw places we wouldn't without his experience. The hike was a little bit slippery after the rain from the last days and it went a lot upwards, but it was totally worth it! Thanks again :)

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Claudia Ossa

Verifed customer · 2 years ago

9 day hiking trip including rafting and mountain biking. Sadly the weather didn’t help, we had a lot of rain, but Klemen modified our plans, making it a great experience after all. Klemen is an excellent guide and I highly recommend him!!!

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Ann Swainson

Verifed customer · 9 months ago

Thank you so much for a fantastic trip. It was absolutely stunning, well organised, and a brilliant trip. Special thanks to Jan for his kindness & support on what was a personally challenging trek.

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Robert Backlund

Verifed customer · 10 months ago

Our Guide Luka was amazing! And the three-day hike was a Memory for life, really beautiful. Cant recommend it enough.

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Rebecca Lawson

Verifed customer · 8 months ago

Our 3 day hike had to be rearranged 2/2 weather, so a one day hike was arranged for us. We appreciated the concern about weather and conditions. Our hike was with Matevz, who was a great guide. Very helpful and knowledgable. Would definitely recommend and will be back for a longer hike one day!

Nicole Cocks

Verifed customer · 9 months ago

This trip was organized with every detail considered. Our accommodation, most meals and routes were planned each day which is perfect when the region is unknown and you have not completed a multi-day hike before. We had a great time!