Mahoosuc Traverse
Mahoosuc Traverse is a famous hiking traverse across the Mahoosuc Range, following the Appalachian Trail through the White Mountains region. The curated route length is 37.58 km (37.58 km), with a reference expectation of 45.46 km from the underlying curated dataset.
Start at Old Speck trail/route area in the Grafton Notch area and finish at the Route 26 crossing near Grafton Notch; the hike is typically done point-to-point by moving between Gorham, New Hampshire and Grafton Notch, Maine (direction is commonly North-to-South, though it can be hiked either way).
The route’s signature section is Mahoosuc Notch—often treated as the Appalachian Trail’s most difficult mile. Expect a steep, narrow trench packed with massive boulders and rock-scramble navigation, with multiple transitions where footing and handholds matter; in practice, people often remove packs for the tight passages to get through.
A major chunk of the traverse is technical “slab” and steep rock movement beyond the notch. The traverse also includes steeper climbs and descents elsewhere in the Mahoosuc Range, so this is not a steady-miler: progress is slow and becomes a leg- and balance-heavy day.
Other notable peaks on the traverse include Old Speck Mountain (4,170 ft / 1,270 m), with the Maine portion of the route tying into the higher-elevation ridgeline walking. The Mahoosuc Trail corridor in this area runs between Shelburne/Grafton Notch and the state-line region of the Mahoosucs, and it remains within a protected Appalachian Trail corridor in parts of the range.
Logistics and pacing commonly follow a 2–4 day backpacking window; speed-oriented attempts compress it into a single hard day. Gentian Pond is frequently used as a key mid-route water point for planning long efforts, with multiple other water opportunities varying by season.
Wet conditions are a real concern on this traverse: slab sections and the rock-and-boulder passages in Mahoosuc Notch are especially treacherous when wet or icy. Plan around slipping risk—if you see slick rock or persistent ice in the notch area, be ready to reassess timing and risk, and don’t assume dry-footing.
Route history: parts of the Mahoosuc corridor were cleared by the Appalachian Mountain Club in the early 1900s, and speed attempts/records began later (with an FKT history documented back to the late 1920s). Management is shared across the White Mountains National Forest and Maine public lands in the range, with trail maintenance and upkeep handled through the Appalachian Mountain Club and land-management partners.
More information: Wikipedia, AT Section Hike: The Mahoosucs and Old Speck Mountain, Mahoosuc Traverse - 8/10/14 - Vftt.org