Maine · Hiking · Near North Conway

East Royce

2.4 mi
round trip
4,259 ft
climb
3,071 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Sep
best months

Is East Royce open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in White Mountain National Forest. It doesn't name East Royce, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · White Mountain National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

East Royce is a hard out-and-back hike in the Saco Ranger District of Maine's White Mountain National Forest. It starts at about 1,460 feet and climbs to a high point of 3,071 feet, with a total elevation gain of 4,259 feet on the round trip. The route is about 2.4 miles long and is marked as a natural-surface trail that allows bikes. The most comfortable time to go is summer. Typical July averages from the nearby Pinkham Notch weather station in New Hampshire run to highs around 75°F and lows near 53°F, though temperatures at the top of the climb run cooler. Winter there is harsh, with January highs typically in the mid-20s. The trip takes about three hours. The trail is not accessible, and the Forest Service manages the land. Nearby, the Spruce Hill Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, the Haystack Notch Trail is about 1.3 miles off, and the Laughing Lion Trail is roughly 0.9 mile away. For an overnight stay, Hastings Campground is about 3.2 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Basin Pond Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 3.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Subway

    Fast food

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Museum of White Mountain Art / Jackson Historical Society

    Museum

    On your way back · 14 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in North Conway
  • Best time to go · Sep

    Best time to visit East Royce

    Best months: September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      26° / 6°

      14 wet

    2. Feb

      28° / 7°

      13 wet

    3. Mar

      36° / 15°

      14 wet

    4. Apr

      49° / 27°

      13 wet

    5. May

      62° / 39°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 48°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 53°

      14 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 52°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 45°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 35°

      14 wet

    11. Nov

      42° / 24°

      14 wet

    12. Dec

      31° / 14°

      16 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pinkham Notch, NH, 13.4 mi away at 2,025 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.