New Hampshire · Hiking · Near North Conway

Watson Path

Watson PathPhoto: Ktr101, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.7 mi
round trip
2,314 ft
climb
5,356 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Watson Path open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in White Mountain National Forest. It doesn't name Watson Path, 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.

Watson Path is a 2.7-mile out-and-back hike in the Androscoggin Ranger District of White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is rated easy, and the route climbs about 2,160 feet from its starting point at roughly 3,257 feet to a high point of about 5,356 feet. The climb is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 0.45 miles in, where the grade reaches 45%. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows bikes, and it is not an accessible route. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Mt Washington weather station, which sits about 900 feet higher than the trail, show July highs around 55°F and lows near 44°F, with no snow days. Winter is harsh, with January highs around 15°F and about 20 snow days a month. Scar is about 0.3 miles away, and Amphibrach is about 0.9 miles away. For an overnight stay, Osgood Tent Site is about 2.9 miles off, and Barnes Field Campground is about 3.3 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Valley Way Tent Platforms

    Campground

    Campground · 0.7 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 · 23 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 Watson Path

    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, 5.5 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.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Daniel Webster-ScoutPhoto: Ktr101, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Daniel Webster-Scout

~2 min drive

6.42-mile out-and-back trail in New Hampshire with 423 ft gain and 3,935 ft loss.

Spur TrailPhoto: Ktr101, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Spur Trail

~3 min drive

Spur Trail is a 1.66-mile point-to-point trail in New Hampshire with 1,921 feet of elevation loss.

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

Parapet

~2 min drive

1.67-mile out-and-back trail in New Hampshire with 433 ft of elevation gain.

Lowe's PathPhoto: John Hayes (gravelboy), CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lowe's Path

~3 min drive

Lowe's Path is a 4.14-mile point-to-point trail in New Hampshire with 1,026 feet of elevation gain.

Great GullyPhoto: John Hayes (gravelboy), CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Great Gully

~2 min drive

1.55-mile out-and-back trail in New Hampshire with 1,810 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Inlook

~2 min drive

Inlook is a 1.28-mile out-and-back trail in New Hampshire with 847 feet of elevation gain.

Pine LinkPhoto: John Hayes (gravelboy), CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Pine Link

~2 min drive

Moderate 6.94-mile out-and-back woodland trail in New Hampshire.

Star LakePhoto: Ktr101, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Star Lake

~2 min drive

2.00-mile out-and-back trail at Star Lake in New Hampshire with 1,169 ft gain

HIKE

Cabin-Cascades

~3 min drive

1.80-mile out-and-back trail in New Hampshire with 552 ft gain.

Howker Ridge TrailPhoto: Ktr101, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Howker Ridge Trail

~2 min drive

3.63-mile point-to-point trail in New Hampshire with 3,552 ft descent

Route details

Distance
2.7 mi round trip
Climbing
About 2,314 ft
Summit
5,357 ft
Difficulty
Hard
Time
About 2 hours

Season

Season: Year-round.

Questions about this route

How long is the Watson Path on Mount Madison?

About 2.7 mi round trip.

How much elevation gain is on the Watson Path?

About 2,314 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Watson Path?

It is rated hard.

How long does the Watson Path take?

About 2 hours round trip.

When is the best time for the Watson Path?

Year-round.

Conditions and forecast on Mount Madison

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.