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5,367 ft · White Mountains, New Hampshire

Mount Madison

Mount Madison is a 5,367 ft peak in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. The standard route is the Via Valley Way Trail: 7 mi, 4,045 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Mount Madison in the White Mountains, New Hampshire

Mount Madison at a glance

  • Elevation5,367 ft1,635 m
  • RouteVia Valley Way TrailClass 2
  • Distance7 mi4,045 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeWhite MountainsNew Hampshire

Climbing the Via Valley Way Trail

From the Appalachia trailhead on Route 2 in Randolph, New Hampshire, Valley Way is the safest line to Madison Spring Hut, with the final rocky cone just above. Air Line offers a more exposed ridge alternative. The summit and approach top out well above treeline in the Northern Presidentials, where wind and cold arrive fast. Loose rock makes footing slow and slick when wet. Start early, carry full layers, and be ready to bail to the hut. Usually climbed together with Adams in one demanding day.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (20–30 L)
  • Water
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Whistle
  • Offline Maps
  • Compass
  • GPS Device
  • Headlamp
  • Power Bank
  • Hiking Boots
  • Microspikes
  • Trekking Poles
  • Base Layer
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Light Gloves
  • Buff
  • Sun Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen

What to watch for

  • Steep exposure
  • Extreme cold
  • Snow near summit
  • Ice near summit
  • High winds
  • Loose rock
  • Storms
  • Low visibility
  • Rapid weather shifts
  • Cold summit conditions

Mount Madison on Yak

Climbers have shared 8 climbs of Mount Madison on Yak. Read their trip reports and recent conditions in the app

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Quests with Mount Madison

Peaks near Mount Madison

  1. Mount Adams

    Mount Adams

    5,774 ft · 0.9 mi away

  2. Mount Jefferson

    Mount Jefferson

    5,712 ft · 2.6 mi away

  3. Mount Washington

    Mount Washington

    6,288 ft · 4.2 mi away

  4. Mount Monroe

    Mount Monroe

    5,384 ft · 5.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Madison?

Mount Madison is 5,367 feet (1,635 m) tall. It is in the White Mountains, New Hampshire.

How does Mount Madison rank among the New England 4,000ers?

At 5,367 feet, Mount Madison is the 5th highest of the 67 New England 4,000ers. The highest is Mount Washington.

How hard is it to hike Mount Madison?

The Via Valley Way Trail is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 7 miles with 4,045 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Madison?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Via Valley Way Trail, covering 7 miles with 4,045 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Mount Madison?

The Via Valley Way Trail needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 7 miles with 4,045 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

Do you need microspikes for Mount Madison?

They help. Microspikes are on the gear list for the Via Valley Way Trail for icy or packed-snow sections, which are common outside summer.

When is the best time to hike Mount Madison?

The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

What is the trailhead elevation for Mount Madison?

The Via Valley Way Trail starts at about 1,300 feet, roughly 4,067 feet below the summit.

Climb Mount Madison with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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