Mount Passaconaway sits at 4,043 feet in the Sandwich Range in NH. It is most frequently hiked in conjunction with Whiteface Mountain (4,019 feet). Passaconaway is a uniquely shaped mountain that looms over the Sandwich wilderness, and is easily recognizable from many areas on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Height:Â 4,043 feet (1,232 m)
Distance: 9.2 Miles (14.8 km)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Duration: 4-6 hours
Elevation Gain: 2,950 feet (899 m)
Trail Map
Trails
Passaconaway can be summited by various different trails. It is also frequently combined in a loop with Whiteface. These routes are below.
Dicey Mill Trail – 9.2 miles – 2,950 feet elevation gain
This trail located off of Ferncroft road is the most popular route up Passaconaway. It features moderate inclines in the woods the entire way to the summit.
Walden Trail from Old Mast Road – 9.4 miles – 3,400 feet elevation gain
This route features some more steep sections and is slightly more difficult than the Dicey Mill Trail. The trailhead is on Ferncroft Road.
Wonalancet Range Trail – 9.8 miles – 3,450 feet elevation gain
This trail will enable hikers to summit mount Wonalancet on the way to Passaconaway. Hikers will also summit Mount Hibbard. This is a great route up to do a loop hike by hiking down the Dicey Mill Trail.
Loop Hike with Mount Whiteface
Many hikers choose to combine Whiteface and Passaconaway in a 12.1 mile loop hike to tackle 2 fantastic NH 4,000 footers.
Oliverian Brook Trail – 10.2 miles – 2,800 feet elevation gain.
This trail is accessed from the Kancamagus Highway (NH112). This is the longest option up, and features gradual gains until the end of the hike.
Winter Hiking
Passaconaway is a great winter hike. The trailhead on Ferncroft road is plowed in winter. The Dicey Mill Trail is well traveled, features gradual gains, and is likely the best trail to utilize for winter hiking. If hiking with Whiteface, it is better to go up the Blueberry Ledge trail than down due to steepness and ice build up.
Directions
Weather Forecast
Bartlett, NH
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 15. West wind around 10 mph.
Monday
Sunny. High near 25, with temperatures falling to around 19 in the afternoon. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 16. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 24. West wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. West wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 24.
Wednesday Night
Snow after 7pm. Cloudy, with a low around 22. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about
