New Hampshire · Hiking · Near North Conway

Cornice

CornicePhoto: Ktr101, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
3.1 mi
round trip
1,115 ft
climb
5,325 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Cornice open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in White Mountain National Forest. It doesn't name Cornice, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Cornice is a 3.1-mile out-and-back hike in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest, within the Androscoggin Ranger District and along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The trail climbs from about 4,900 feet to a high point of 5,325 feet, with a total gain of 1,115 feet over the round trip. The steepest stretch comes at about 1.1 miles in, where the grade reaches 23 percent. The route is rated moderate and is open year-round. It is a natural-surface trail, and bikes are allowed. It is not an accessible trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Mt Washington weather station show July highs around 55°F and lows near 44°F, with no snow days. That station sits about 900 feet higher than the trail, so temperatures on the Cornice run a little warmer. Edmands Col lies just 0.1 mile away, and the Mt Jefferson Loop is 0.3 mile off. The WM: Pinkham / Presidentials climbing area is about 2.4 miles away, and the Osgood Tent Site campground is about 2.8 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Valley Way Campsite

    Campground

    Campground · 2.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Glen House

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 5 mi
  • If it rainsKen Gallager, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    New England Ski Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 21 mi from North Conway

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Ken Gallager, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)

More in North Conway
  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Cornice

    No month here meets our mild-weather rule. 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

      15° / -3°

      20 wet · 20 snow

    2. Feb

      15° / -3°

      18 wet · 18 snow

    3. Mar

      21° / 5°

      20 wet · 18 snow

    4. Apr

      31° / 17°

      18 wet · 13 snow

    5. May

      42° / 30°

      18 wet · 7 snow

    6. Jun

      51° / 40°

      17 wet · 2 snow

    7. Jul

      55° / 44°

      17 wet

    8. Aug

      54° / 43°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      49° / 37°

      14 wet · 2 snow

    10. Oct

      38° / 25°

      18 wet · 9 snow

    11. Nov

      28° / 13°

      19 wet · 15 snow

    12. Dec

      20° / 3°

      21 wet · 19 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mt Washington, NH, 3.2 mi away at 6,267 ft. The station sits about 900 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Edmands ColPhoto: Ktr101, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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