Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness is a wilderness area located within New Hampshire's White Mountains, known for its rugged and untamed character. This region features a diverse landscape, including the largest expanse of alpine tundra east of the Mississippi River, alongside extensive spruce-fir and northern hardwood forests. The terrain is characterized by high ridgelines, deep river valleys like those carved by the Dry River and Rocky Branch, and numerous peaks, with nine exceeding 4,000 feet. These varied environments provide opportunities for…
86
Routes
4.7
(89)
Average rating
1298
People visited

4.0
(1)
45
hikers
15.7km
06:35
1,300m
1,300m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
44
hikers
16.4km
07:01
1,430m
1,430m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
55
hikers
20.3km
07:53
970m
1,090m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(1)
34
hikers
7.39km
02:48
580m
210m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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5.0
(1)
68
riders
12.5km
02:02
1,410m
20m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

21
riders
116km
05:42
1,720m
1,720m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5
riders
25.5km
01:20
400m
400m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

1
riders
9.76km
00:42
330m
330m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(1)
73
riders
12.3km
02:14
1,400m
20m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
17.7km
01:24
440m
440m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
25.3km
01:42
400m
400m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
88.9km
05:46
1,110m
1,110m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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33
runners
12.9km
02:39
1,260m
1,260m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
runners
7.64km
01:08
420m
420m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
runners
7.11km
01:21
620m
620m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
runners
17.8km
03:23
1,390m
1,390m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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8.65km
00:57
120m
120m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.72km
00:32
80m
80m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

2
riders
41.0km
03:29
560m
560m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
10.8km
00:56
110m
110m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness offers opportunities for hiking, backpacking, and jogging. Road cycling and touring cycling are possible on roads bordering the wilderness area. The region is known for its challenging terrain and remote trails.
Popular hiking trails include the Dry River Trail, Edmands Path, and the historic Crawford Path. The Presidential Traverse is a strenuous multi-day hike covering 19-23 miles (31-37 km) with about 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) of elevation gain. For more information, refer to the Hiking in Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness guide.
While many trails are rugged and challenging, some less technical options may be suitable for beginners. The wilderness is generally characterized by remote and difficult trails. For specific recommendations, consult the Easy hikes in Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness guide.
The wilderness features the largest expanse of alpine tundra east of the Mississippi River. It includes 13 mountains, with nine peaks exceeding 4,000 feet (1,219 meters), such as Mount Washington. The Dry River and Rocky Branch carve deep valleys through the landscape.
Yes, the area features several water features due to its rivers and mountainous terrain. Specific routes that highlight waterfalls can be found. For detailed information, see the Waterfall hikes in Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness guide.
Some less technical hiking trails within the wilderness area may be suitable for jogging or trail running. The terrain can be rough, so appropriate footwear and caution are advised. A guide for Running Trails in Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness is available.
The wilderness area itself, with its rugged and unblazed trails, is not suitable for road cycling. However, road cycling routes exist on paved roads leading to or bordering the wilderness. Consult the Road Cycling Routes in Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness guide for options.
Trails in Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness are often remote, rough, and difficult to follow, requiring good route-finding skills. The region is known for its challenging terrain and significant elevation changes, making it suitable for experienced hikers and backpackers.
The Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness is part of the White Mountain National Forest. Information can be found on the U.S. Forest Service website at fs.usda.gov/whitemountain. The White Mountain National Forest Supervisor's Office can be reached at +1-603-536-6100.
There are 6 routes available on komoot for Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness. These routes have an average rating of 4.51 out of 5 stars, based on more than 700 ratings from visitors.
While the wilderness area's rugged and unblazed trails are generally not suitable for mountain biking, some routes may be available in the broader region. For specific mountain biking trails, refer to the MTB Trails in Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness guide.

