If you’re looking for a challenging hike with stunning views, look no further than Mount Waumbek in New Hampshire.
At 4,006 feet tall, this mountain is not for the faint of heart, but those who make the climb will be rewarded with some of the most beautiful views in the state.
In this hiking guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about Mount Waumbek, including how to get there and what to expect on the hike. Let’s get started!
Mount Waumbek
Mt Waumbek is located in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, about an hour and a half drive from the state capital of Concord.
The mountain is the highest point of the Pliny range at 4006′ tall, and is one of the most popular hiking destinations in New Hampshire, and for good reason.
In addition to its stunning views, the hike to the summit is just 7.2 miles out-and-back and can be done in a day.
However, don’t let the length of the hike fool you – this is a challenging trail with some steep sections, gaining 2600 feet in elevation over the hike.
Mount Waumbek is a popular hike among New Hampshire natives and peak-baggers, and is climbed along with Mt. Starr King.
Mount Starr King and the Starr King trail are named after Thomas Starr King, an author who wrote a book about the White Mountains.
Mount Waumbek takes its name from the Abenaki Indians who originally lived in Northern New Hampshire, and the word Waumbek translates into “white” in the original Abenaki language, so it literally means “white mountain”.
How Long Does It Take To Hike Mount Waumbek?
Most people take between five and seven hours to hike Mount Waumbek, depending on their fitness level and average hiking speed.
If you’re a relatively experienced hiker, you can probably complete the hike in just over 4.5 hours.
But if you’re new to hiking or not in great shape, it’s probably best to give yourself seven hours, so you don’t have to rush and can enjoy the views.
Hiking Mt. Waumbek In New Hampshire: What To Expect
The trail up Mount Waumbek is well-marked and easy to follow.
You’ll start in a dense forest before reaching some open rocky areas with clear views of the surrounding mountains.
As you get closer to the summit, the trail becomes steeper and more challenging, but the views are more than worth it.
When you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of New Hampshire’s White Mountains and the Presidential Range.
On a clear day, you can even see all the way to Vermont and Canada!
How To Reach The Summit Of Mount Waumbek
The quickest trail to the summit is by taking the Starr King trail.
The trailhead is on Starr King Road, just off Route 2 in Jefferson, NH.
You’ll cross over Mount Starr King 2.6mi from the road before reaching Mount Waumbek a mile after that.
The Starr King trail leaves the parking area and goes right into the forest, where you’ll make a few turns before going on a straight course down an old logging road.
It slowly gains elevation and passes an old water system made from two round stone formations connected by pipes, then after a few turns you’ll start gaining elevation more quickly and follow a ridge top.
You’ll have about a mile of hardwood forest before heading towards Mount Starr King.
After you pass over the summit of Mount Starr King, you’ll start entering the view clearings, which are best seen at the back of the clearing near the rock shelf.
There’s an old shelter and stone chimney here for a quick photo-op, and you can also get an entire view of the Presidential Range from here!
After that, you’ll press on to Mount Waumbek.
The Starr King trail descends slightly while winding a little bit with some flat spots interspersed, then you’ll start a slow ascent to the summit of Mt. Waumbek.
Mount Waumbek’s summit will provide you an even better view of the Presidential Range, and you can also see the Willey Range, Carter-Moriah Range, Mt. Deception, Mt. Carrigain, and Mt. Dartmouth as well, for some truly incredible views.
You’ll follow the same pathway back to the trailhead.
Alternate Route
You can also reach Mt. Waumbek’s summit via the Kilkenny Ridge trail which will take you through the summit of Mt. Cabot and over Mt. Weeks as well, but the Kilkenny Ridge trail runs 20.6 miles in total length.
Be sure you plan ahead with the proper gear and enough supplies, as that’s a totally different animal than the Starr King trail’s 7.6 mile loop!
How Long Is The Mount Waumbek Hike?
You’ll reach the summit of Mt. Waumbek by way of the Starr King Trail, a total 7.2 mile round-trip hike.
When Can You Hike Mt Waumbek NH?
We recommend starting your hike early in the morning to avoid crowds and giving yourself plenty of time to reach the summit before sunset.
The best time to hike Mt Waumbek is in the summer or fall when the weather is cooler and there’s less chance of rain, but you can hike it year-round.
The summit isn’t exposed, but you may encounter ice sheets on certain spots along the trail during winter.
What Do You Need For The Hike?
In addition to your usual hiking gear, we recommend bringing plenty of water (at least two liters per person), snacks, and a lunch for the summit.
It can also be helpful to pack some extra layers in case the weather changes while you’re on the mountain.
If you’re hiking in winter, you’ll want to bring the typical winter hiking gear, and also consider some snowshoes, microspikes, or crampons.
Camping Options Near Mount Waumbek
There are primitive campsites north of Mt. Waumbek at Unknown Pond, and you can also do some backcountry camping if you’d like.
If you’re backcountry camping at Mount Waumbek, here are a few rules to follow:
- No camping above treeline (except in winter with 2 or more feet of snow on the ground)
- Camp away from water
- No open fires (bring a camping stove like a Jetboil or something similar)
- No camping within 0.25 miles of the trailhead, other campsites, established huts, and roads.
Can I Bring My Dog?
Dogs are allowed on the trails leading to the summit of Mt. Waumbek, but must be on a leash.
Mount Waumbek Weather
Always check ahead to see what the weather’s like so you can adequately prepare for your hike.
You can check the Mount Waumbek weather forecast on Mountain Forecast.
Mount Waumbek Trail Conditions
Make sure you know the trail conditions for what to expect and what additional hiking gear you may need to bring by checking the Mt. Waumbek trail conditions updates on New England Trail Conditions.
Wrapping Up Our Guide To Hiking Mount Waumbek In New Hampshire
We hope you enjoyed our guide to hiking Mount Waumbek in New Hampshire!
This is a great hike for anyone looking for some incredible views of the Presidential Range, and we highly recommend it.
Just be sure to check the weather forecast, trail conditions, and come prepared with plenty of food and water.
Have you hiked Mount Waumbek before? Let us know about your experience in the comments below!
That’s all for now! Be sure to check back soon for more great hiking guides. Happy trails!
