Cohos Trail
~11 days · 163.2 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Cohos Trail is known for
The Cohos Trail is an end-to-end route running about 262.6 km (163.2 miles) through New Hampshire's Great North Woods, from the northern Presidential Range to the Canadian border. As a point-to-point thru-hike it links quiet summits, bogs, ponds, and remote forest, passing through less-traveled terrain than the state's busier White Mountain trails. It stitches together existing footpaths, logging roads, and purpose-built sections. It is known as New Hampshire's longest trail and one of the more remote long-distance routes in the Northeast.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 991 ft to 4,078 ft over 163.2 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 40.0 mi · 25%
- Downhill 52.3 mi · 32%
- Flat 70.1 mi · 43%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Cohos Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Cohos Trail scores 70/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Best season & permits
Season: Summer through fall (roughly June to October) is the main season, with fall foliage a draw; blackflies are heavy in early summer and higher sections hold snow into spring.
Permits: No permit is required to hike the Cohos Trail, though much of it crosses private timberland and state land, so hikers should respect posted access and camp only where allowed.
Official trail & permit info
Always confirm current conditions, closures, and permit rules with the managing authority before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Cohos Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Cohos Trail in about 11 days (10 nights out) over its 163.2 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Cohos Trail?
The Cohos Trail climbs roughly 30,016 ft total — about 184 ft per mile, topping out near 4,459 ft.
When is the best time to hike the Cohos Trail?
Summer through fall (roughly June to October) is the main season, with fall foliage a draw; blackflies are heavy in early summer and higher sections hold snow into spring.
Do you need a permit for the Cohos Trail?
No permit is required to hike the Cohos Trail, though much of it crosses private timberland and state land, so hikers should respect posted access and camp only where allowed.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.