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The Welch-Dickey Loop is arguably one of the most popular hikes in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I had heard a lot about this hike but hadn’t done it until this past summer. If you like STEEP rocky slabs with beautiful views, then this is a great trail for you! It’s also part of New Hampshire’s 52 With A View challenge. This can be found on AllTrails. The loop is approximately 4.4 miles long with an elevation gain of 1,781 feet.
The parking lot isn’t huge but you are able to park along the road if the lot is full. When we were there, it looked like they were in the process of installing machines for paid parking instead of the traditional paper envelopes, so keep your eye out for that. At the time it was a $5 fee, I don’t know it’s changed.
I’d recommend going counter-clockwise so you’re going up the steep, bald rock instead of down, so at the trailhead, go up to the right! The first part of the hike is all wooded and under tree cover but once you get out on the bare the rock, you are in for a steep treat. Definitely wear your grippiest (is that a word?) shoes because the bald rocks are slippery if even a little bit wet. My legs were burning the whole way! While the incline is a lot, we saw people of all ages doing the hike – dogs too!
There are lots of great places to break for food and pictures. The views are stunning! On the trail between the two summits, we saw some bear scat, which I hadn’t seen before! There were a lot of fun rock elements along the way and we got to do some scrambling. We had a great time the whole hike.
🥾 Approximately 4.4 miles round trip
⛰️ Approximate elevation gain of 1,781 feet
🌲 Moderate to hard, depending on fitness level
💰 $5.00 fee
🦮 Dogs allowed
🚽 Pit toilets available at trailhead
I’d definitely recommend this trail if you are in the area and it’s a clear day. However, if it’s raining, I’d skip it. Would you like to check this trail out? Let me know in the comments below!
📍I acknowledge the lands mentioned in this post are the ancestral lands of the Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) and N’dakina (Abenaki / Abénaquis) people.
The Adventures of Suze 
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