Adams-Madison Loop

Trip Summary

Adams elevation: 5,774 ft
Madison elevation: 5,367 ft
Total distance: about 12.5 miles
Estimated time: 10-12 hours
Difficulty: Moderate with difficult peaks
Views: Excellent; 360 degrees

Adams and Madison can each be done as stand alone hikes, but for peak baggers they are close enough to hit both in one day. There are many potential routes to these peaks, so we chose one that is fairly popular, the least difficult (though not easy!), and fairly direct. It will take you up the Air Line Trail and back down the Valley Way Trail. While this route could be done in reverse, I recommend hitting Adams first because it's the higher peak and the Star Lake Trail would be a bear to climb up rather than down. I recommend doing this hike during the summer months when you have good weather and long days.

Trailhead parking can be found at the small Appalacia Parking Lot next to Rt. 2 in Randolph, NH. These are popular trails, so on a nice day if you're not there early you'll likely be parking along the road.

Mount Adams

Named after the second president of the United States, Mount Adams is the second tallest mountain in New Hampshire. The trails to the summit have the highest elevation gain in the White Mountains at about 4,400 feet.

Trails start from the west end of the parking lot. A few yards into the woods, underneath the power lines, the trails diverge. Stay to the right for the Air Line Trail, which you can follow all the way up to the ridge. This is a fairly easy trail well marked with blue rectangles. The lower sections of the trail are well shaded under tree cover. There are a few small brook crossings and some rock staircases.

With many trails in the area you will come across quite a few intersections. The trails are well marked with white signage so it's pretty easy to follow. You will continue straight across the Sylvan Way intersection and again at the Beechwood Way intersection. The Short Line Trail will split off to the right, which is another possible route taking you by Mossy Falls and the Ice Caves. However, that route gets incredibly steep climbing out of King Ravine, so I recommend staying on the Air Line Trail. At the Randolph Path crossing you will make a right, then a quick left to stay on the Air Line Trail.


After another 1.5 miles, the Scar Trail will come in from the left, but stay straight. By now you are at 3,700 ft. As you continue up you will break through the trees and get your first views of the peaks and King Ravine to your right.

View across King Ravine from Air Line Trail.
From left to right the peaks are Mt Quincy Adams, Mt Adams, and Mt Sam Adams.

At this point you are above the tree line and the trail gets less steep as you follow the large cairns along Durand Ridge. This section is sometimes referred to as the "knife's edge" because there are steep drop-offs on either side. However, the ridge is plenty wide that it doesn't feel dangerous. The Upper Bruin Trail connector over to Valley Way will join in from the left, and a little later the Chemin Des Dames connector over to the King Ravine Trail will join in from the right, but just stay straight along the ridge.


The next Y intersection is key. For Mount Adams you will want to head to the right (If you're only doing Madison you would head left toward the Madison Hut). These are two sides of a small triangle which will join you to the Gulfside Trail which traverses the Presidential Ridge.

Looking uphill toward Adams	Looking back downhill

A short distance uphill you will come to a major intersection where you will go right to join together with the Gulfside Trail. But after only a short distance you will split off to the left to head toward the summit of Mt Adams. (You could also continue on the Gulfside Trail for another 0.5 miles and take your next left for another 0.3 miles to the summit.)

Go right along the Gulfside Trail	Stay left toward the summit

This last half mile is the most treacherous section of the trail as you are essentially climbing over a field of rocks. Please be careful of your footing as some rocks will shift under your weight. The first part of this trail takes you along the northern face of Mount Quincy Adams (up to your left; unmarked on the trail map). Its peak stands at 5,358 ft, but with only 56 ft of prominence it does not make it on the NH48 list.

Boulder field along the side of Mt Quincy Adams; peak of Mt Adams visible in the background	From the side of Adams, view over to Mt Quincy Adams in the foreground and Mt Madison behind

The peak of Mt Adams is one of the most rewarding views in the White Mountains. You have 360 degree views blocked only by the looming Mt Washington to the south.

Views to the south and east (click to enlarge)

Views to the north and west (click to enlarge)

Mount Madison
With Washington on your right and Madison on your left, head southeast down the rocky outcropping along the Star Lake Trail. The trail is not obvious from the Adams peak, but as you head that direction you will eventually see the cairns marking the trail.

Follow the Star Lake Trail	Rocky outcropping to the southeast of the Adams summit

This is an incredibly steep descent, followed by another boulder field around the back side of Mt. Adams. Just follow the cairns.


Finally you again hit some dirt and the trail becomes a single track path through some short alpine trees. As the trail flattens out, you come out of the trees to an entrance to the Great Gulf Wilderness on your right. Continue to the left to the picturesque Star Lake.

Great Gulf Wilderness via the Buttress Trail	Peak of Mt Madison across Star Lake

Follow the cairns around the left side of Star Lake to the Madison Spring Hut. Please stay on the trail as some of the alpine foliage is very delicate and can take centuries to regrow. At the Hut you can buy some snacks, use the restroom facilities, and refill your water bottles. You can stay overnight in the bunk rooms for $150/night (or $120 with an AMC membership). However the Hut is only open June-Sept (see website for exact dates).


Since you'll come back down past the Hut you can leave your pack here if you like, taking only the essentials with you to the summit. Follow Osgood Trail around the north side of the Hut up to the summit of Mt. Madison. Once again you are following cairns across a boulder field.


Since this is the northernmost peak in the Presidential range, you get unimpeded views west, north, and east.

Views to the south and east (click to enlarge)

Views to the north and west (click to enlarge)

After enjoying the views, you could go down the Watson Path to cut off 0.3 mi, but word is this path is very difficult. For the easier descent, return the way you came down the Osgood Trail to the Madison Spring Hut. Back at the Hut, turn right onto the Valley Way trail for your descent toward Appalacia parking lot.

This trail follows the brook down on your righthand side. The Upper Bruin connector trail and the Valley Way Tentsite path will come in from your left, but continue straight down Valley Way. Further on the Lower Bruin Trail turns off downhill to the right toward Watson Path, but stay to the left on Valley Way. Then shortly after, Watson Path will cross over the trail, merging in from the right and continuing across to the left toward the Scar Trail, but continue straight on the rocky path to stay on Valley Way.

After crossing Randolph Path, stay left where Brookside Trail veers off to the right (not shown on the trail map), then shortly ahead stay right where Beechwood Trail veers off to the left. This section is a lovely stroll next to the brook. If you have time, you can loop to the right on Fallsway Trail to see Tama Falls and Gordon Falls. Continue straight across Sylvan Way, back out under the power lines and to the parking lot.

Official Trail Map: (click to enlarge)