Kilkenny Ridge Trail
~3 days · 18.7 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Kilkenny Ridge Trail is known for
A rugged ridge traverse through the remote Kilkenny region of New Hampshire's White Mountains, linking the Starr King / Jefferson area south to the York Pond watershed north of Mt. Cabot. The ~19-mile one-way route threads open summits, boreal forest, and moose bogs across Coos County over two to three days of moderate-strenuous hiking.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 4,423 ft to 13,615 ft over 18.7 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 6.0 mi · 33%
- Downhill 11.3 mi · 62%
- Flat 1.0 mi · 5%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Kilkenny Ridge Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Kilkenny Ridge Trail scores 23/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Kilkenny Ridge Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Kilkenny Ridge Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 18.7 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail?
The Kilkenny Ridge Trail climbs roughly 4,925 ft total — about 263 ft per mile, topping out near 4,163 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0. 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.