Whiteface & Passaconaway: A Classic NH 4,000 Footer Loop
- Stephen Warner
- Jul 18, 2025
- 3 min read
A classic combo New Hampshire 4,000 footer route, the Whiteface Passaconaway loop has a lot to offer. It's long enough to give you a good workout, diverse enough to require a bit of focus for the technical parts, and of course has some solid lookouts of the White Mountains. A great way to cross a couple of 4K's off your list
Trail Info
Trailhead Name | Blueberry's Ledge / Rollins / Dicey's Mill |
Distance | 11 miles / 17.7 km (loop) |
Estimated time | 5-8 hours |
Elevation gain | 3,800 ft / 1,160 m |
Highest point | 4,043 ft / 1,232 m (Passaconaway) |
Permits / fees | None |
Parking | Dirt lot |
Toilets? | Yes |
Dog friendly? | Yes* (Some scrambles might preclude some dogs) |
Know before you go
Expect some scrambling, especially on the ascent to Whiteface. The final part of the Blueberry Ledge Trail rates ~2+ scramble, requiring the use of hands. This section would be somewhat treacherous if it's wet or icy
The bugs can be brutal here. Long sleeves or bug spray are recommended in the warm months
Neither official summit has views, but the Whiteface Ledges and the 0.5-mile spur trail from Passaconaway will make sure you get some reward for your effort.
There are lots of trail junctions in this area. While they are all well marked, it could be possible to make a wrong turn. A digital map will be helpful.
Other trails nearby
Distance: 5.8 miles (9.3 km) loop
Elevation gain: 2,200 ft (670 m) gain
Details: A moderate loop to two sub-3,000-foot peaks. A nice warm-up for the big loops.
The Trail
Start by walking a short stretch of Ferncroft Road.
Then take the bridge across the river to reach the Blueberry Ledge Trail. This kicks off your ascent of Mount Whiteface. While you can hike the loop counterclockwise, most people prefer going clockwise so they’re ascending the tricky scrambles rather than descending them.
The initial trail rises gradually, leading to an open viewpoint—your first taste of what’s to come.
From there, the intensity picks up quickly. The rock scrambles increase in steepness as you approach the summit ridge.
Up and up we go.
This section is the most difficult.. It's a bit sneakier than it looks it in these photos. Some shorter members of our group needed a boost to get over certain ledges. It’s fun, but requires focus.
Just a bit more rocky scrambling.
Eventually, you’ll reach the Whiteface ledges which is arguably the highlight of the hike in terms of views. The actual summit is slightly further along the loop and doesn’t offer much of a vista, but if you're completing the loop, you’ll pass it either way.
From there, it’s on to peak number two: Passaconaway. Follow the wooded Rollins Trail along a quiet ridge.
When we went in late spring, parts of the trail were still snow-covered. The infamous “monorail” (a narrow, lingering snowpack) made for some annoying sections, but microspikes helped.
After descending the saddle, you'll hit another junction,,,
....and then another before reaching the final loop to Passaconaway’s summit. You can take either the east or west branch; both rejoin after circling the peak.
Passaconaway’s summit itself? Completely wooded and underwhelming.
But just 0.5 miles past it is a side trail that rewards your effort with open northern views.
Look at them views! We even saw a small wildfire in the distance. Not something you expect in New England!
Now for the return route down Dicey’s Mill Trail. Unfortunately, no photos were taken on the descent... more on that below.
SS Reflections
As I rack up more of New Hampshire’s 4,000-footers, I try to hold on to at least one vivid memory from each hike as a way to distinguish it from the others. For this one, it wasn’t the scrambles (though those were fun). It was the sudden thunderstorm that caught us off guard on the descent.
We went from warm and sweaty to soaked and freezing in a matter of minutes. Thunder and lightning crashed around us as we raced down the ridge, trying to stay upright on slick rock. That eerie moment when thunder hits so close you feel it? That happened over and over.
But we made it down safe, cold and rattled but exhilarated. After drying off and warming up, there was only one thing left to do: head to a local brewery to toast our survival and another two summits in the books.
Other helpful resources
Northeast Hikes thorough writeup of this trail
