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: 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
Today
A chance of rain showers before 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
Rain showers likely before 2am, then a chance of rain showers and patchy fog. Cloudy, with a low around 38. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Wednesday
A chance of rain showers and patchy fog before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night
Scattered rain showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday
Scattered rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Thursday Night
Scattered rain showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 54.
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