The Easiest 4000 Footers in New Hampshire To Start Your NH48

New Hampshire is home to some of the most incredible hiking trails in New England. Of the hundreds of mountains across the Granite State, there are 48 peaks in the White Mountain National Forest that reach higher than 4,000 feet in elevation. 

This list makes up the iconic list of New Hampshire's 48 4,000 footers, known as "the NH48" by many. Thousands of hikers have proved themselves on the rugged trails by reaching every summit on the list and gaining recognition from the Appalachian Mountain Club into the esteemed Four Thousand Footer Club for doing so.

Hiking Tips For Beginners Starting Their NH48:

New Hampshire's 4,000 footers are some of the most challenging peaks to hike in New England. Hiking trails are often steep or rocky and sometimes even require hand-over-foot scrambling. Be sure to do diligent research and read trail descriptions before embarking on any hike to know exactly what you're in for.

Remember that weather conditions and temperatures at higher elevations are often drastically different from the weather in the towns and valleys of the White Mountains. Inclement weather is the number one cause of accidents according to the Forest Service. Always check weather and trail conditions for things like water crossings, blown down trees, trail maintenance, and snowpack in the winter season using resources like Mountain Forecast or TrailsNH Summit Forecast.

Make sure you're prepared with food, hydration, and gear. Packing the 10 Essentials for Hiking is key to staying safe and fueled while hiking in the White Mountain National Forest or any other remote area. Comfortable and durable footwear like hiking boots and hiking socks, water-wicking layers of clothing, and navigation are a few of the most important items you'll need to hike even the easiest 4,000 footers in New Hampshire.

Top 5 Easiest 4,000 Footers in New Hampshire's White Mountains

Hiking the 4,000 footers of New Hampshire is fun, challenging, and the perfect way to put yourself amongst the natural beauty of the White Mountains. Here are the best hikes for beginners to start one of the most famous hiking lists in the country and conquer some of the tallest mountains in New England.

Mount Jackson (4,052')

Distance: 5.6 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: +2,500 feet

Type: Out and back

Time: 4-6 hours

Mount Jackson via the Webster-Jackson Trail is a great hike to get you pumped about starting the New Hampshire 4,000 footers. With just a few steep sections but an otherwise mostly moderate trail, the summit of Mount Jackson rewards you right away with gorgeous views into Crawford Notch and across Route 302 to Mount Tom, Mount Field, and Mount Wiley.

To hike Mount Jackson, the trailhead for the easiest route to the summit is in the town of Bretton Woods, just east of Twin Mountain off NH Route 302 and close to the Appalachian Mountain Club Highland Center. Once you park, follow the Webster-Jackson Trail for 1.4 miles before reaching a fork. Take the Jackson Branch trail on the left to continue 1.2 miles to the summit of Mount Jackson, where you'll get 360-degree views including Mount Washington, Crawford Notch, and the Crawford Path winding its way over Mount Pierce and the Southern Presidential Range of the White Mountains.

Mount Osceola (4,340')

Distance: 6.4 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: +2,050 feet

Type: Out and back

Time: 5-6 hours

Break in your hiking boots to reach the summit of Mount Osceola, the 34th highest of the New Hampshire 4,000 footers. The simple route follows just one trail and has a relatively moderate elevation gain. Start at the parking area on Tripoli Road in Livermore, New Hampshire near Waterville Valley. Follow Mount Osceola Trail for 3.2 miles until you reach the summit and enjoy views as far as Mount Washington on a clear day.

Just over a mile from the summit of Mount Osceola is the chance to bag another New Hampshire 4,000 footer -- East Osceola. Reaching this peak requires continuing on Mount Osceola Trail and completing a steep rock scramble known as the Chimney. There's no view on East Osceola and it is a longer hike, but it's worth reaching the summit if you want to join the elite Four Thousand Footer Club.

Retrace your steps (including the rock scramble) to return back to the summit of Mount Osceola and back down Mount Osceola Trail, or avoid re-climbing and continue down the other side of East Osceola for 1.5 miles and turn left onto Greeley Ponds Trail for 1.3 miles, and have a friend pick you up at the trailhead on NH Route 112.

Mount Tecumseh

Distance: 5.2 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: +2,200 feet

Type: Out and back

Time: 4-5 hours

Mount Tecumseh isn't necessarily an easy hike, but it is the shortest of all New Hampshire 4,000 footers in the White Mountains. Mount Tecumseh Trail is steady and the elevation gain is well spread out, making for a pleasant trek to the top of the mountain.

From the parking lot at the Waterville Valley Ski Resort (where you can park for free outside the winter season), follow Mount Tecumseh Trail for 1.2 miles at which point you can enjoy a view of the ski slopes and distant mountain peaks. Continue up the same trail for another mile before keeping left to reach the spur junction for the summit of Mount Tecumseh. The spur circles the summit so you can go either way, but most hikers opt to ascend clockwise. Once down the spur, return to your car via the same route you came on the Mount Tecumseh Trail.

Mount Waumbek

Distance: 7.2 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: +2,600 feet

Type: Out and back

Time: 5-6 hours

One of the northernmost New Hampshire 4,000 footers in the White Mountain National Forest, Mount Waumbek is another pleasant trek to reach a New Hampshire high peak. The mountain just makes the cut for being on the list as the 46th-highest peak in the state.

From the parking area on Starr King Trail Road, cross the street and begin up the Starr King Trail for 2.6 miles where you'll reach the summit of Mount Starr King. Continue for another mile on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail and gain a little more elevation toward the summit of Mount Waumbek, and you've reached another peak on the 4,000 footers list! Views while hiking Mount Waumbek are actually better in the winter season since the snowpack gives you a little boost above the tree line. To descend the mountain, return the way you came and follow Kilkenny Ridge Trail back to Starr King Trail and back to the parking lot.

Mount Hale

Distance: 4.6 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: +2,210 feet

Type: Out and back

Time: 4-5 hours

When you're ready to put some more miles on your hiking boots in the White Mountains, Mount Hale via the Hale Brook Trail is one of the shortest hikes distance-wise to reach a summit on the list of New Hampshire 4,000 footers. While it's great that it isn't a long hike, keep in mind that elevation gain won't be spread out over many miles, and the trail to reach the top of the mountain will be steeper when the mileage is shorter. The elevation gain on Hale Brook Trail is steep but fairly steady making for a great workout and a

To hike Mount Hale, park at the trailhead on Zealand Road off NH Route 302 between Twin Mountain and Bretton Woods. Follow Hale Brook Trail straight to the summit for 2.3 miles, and you're one peak closer to completing the New Hampshire 4,000 footers! Mount Hale doesn't boast amazing views, but the summit has plenty of flat ground for a break and a hiking snack. Plus there's a pretty sweet rock cairn to take pictures with!

Other Popular Hiking Trails to 4,000 Footers

There are thousands of trails in New Hampshire's White Mountains and usually several ways to reach the summits of most 4,000 footers. You're sure to really break in your hiking boots on these treks. These are some of the most popular (and sometimes difficult) trails leading to the highest peaks in New Hampshire.

• The North Twin Trail starts on Haystack Road in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, and leads to the summits of both the north and south peak of Twin Mountain.
• Signal Ridge Trail boasts incredible ridgeline views and leads to the summit of Mount Carrigain, where you can gain even better views by climbing the Mount Carrigain Fire Tower.
• The King Ravine Trail, the Great Gulf Trail, Edmands Path, and the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail are all wildly popular trails to reach the summit of Mount Washington, the highest mountain in New Hampshire at 6,288 feet and home to the worst weather on Earth.
• Glen Boulder Trail is known as a challenging route with incredibly worthwhile views. It gains 4,000 feet before descending another 1,000 feet to the summit of Mount Isolation.
• Lincoln Woods Trail itself is moderate, following an old railroad bed. It's located just outside the town of Lincoln, New Hampshire, and leads to dozens of connecting trails that you can follow to popular peaks of the White Mountains like Franconia Ridge, Owl's Head, Bondcliff, Mount Bond, and West Bond.

Wildcat Ridge Trail winds up and down the four Wildcat Mountain peaks, two of which make the list of New Hampshire's 4,000 footers. Wildcat A and Wildcat D are 4,422 feet and 4,070 feet high, respectively.