North Percy Peak - A NH 52 With A View and Terrifying 25 Hike
Hiking North Percy Peak – NH 52 With a View and Terrifying 25 Trail in New Hampshire’s North Country
Climb North Percy Peak via one of New Hampshire’s most thrilling hikes! Part of both the NH 52 With a View and Terrifying 25 lists, this challenging White Mountains hike features open rock slabs, panoramic summit views, and a remote North Country experience.
Part of New Hampshire’s 52 with a View, North Percy Peak is located in the Nash Stream Forest north of the main part of the White Mountains National Forest. At 3,430 feet in elevation, it's significantly lower than the highest of the White Mountain high peaks, but what it lacks in elevation, it makes up for with epic views from its open rock summit cone.
Percy Peaks Loop Trail Description
The Percy Peaks can be hiked from a few different directions and the mountains also host the long distance Cohos Trail on their flanks.
For this hike we ascended from the west on the Percy Peaks Trail. This trail begins on the Nash Stream Road (a seasonal road only open in the summer) and ascends to the notch between the two peaks.
From the notch, we ascended the trail up North Percy. The trail up North Percy, after first climbing through the woods, does ascend the summit on open rock slabs. This trail would be difficult, if not impossible in wet, slippery conditions, but during dry periods, the rock is quite grippy and easy to walk up with sturdy hiking shoes.
The trail is roughly 2.75 miles one way (from trailhead to summit) and for this hike it was an in and out, so the mileage was about 5.5 miles overall.
Note that Nash Stream Road is not maintained in the winter for vehicle traffic, so unless you have access to a snowmobile, the Percy Peaks are only accessible during the summer months from the Nash Stream Road trailheads.
Percy Peaks Trail Details:
📍 Trailhead: Off Nash Stream Road (gravel, usually passable in summer/fall, closed in the winter months) - Google Maps Link
🥾 Distance: ~5.5 miles round trip
⛰️ Elevation Gain: ~2180 feet
⚠️ Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
💦 Highlights: Epic and amazing views from North Percy Peak, open granite summit, few visitors
🗺️ GPS Information: Trail Route in GPX Format
Hiking Tips for the Percy Peaks Trail
Start Early: This loop packs a punch in a short distance. Hitting the trail early gives you time to savor the views (and take breaks on the steep bits).
Grippy Footwear is Key: That open rock on North Percy can be slick, especially if there’s dew or rain. Good tread matters here.
Bug Season = Real: Bring the bug spray if you’re hiking late spring to midsummer — the North Woods bugs don’t play around.
Pack a Wind Layer: The summit is exposed and breezy, even on warm days.
No Facilities: No bathrooms, water, or frills — just nature. Bring what you need and leave no trace.
North Percy Peak is one of The Terrifying 25 Hikes!
New Hampshire's The Terrifying 25 is a curated list of 25 hiking trails in the White Mountains, renowned for their challenging terrain and exhilarating scrambles. Designed for experienced hikers seeking an adrenaline rush, this list features routes that include rock slides, boulder caves, steep ledges, and exposed ridgelines. Completing the full list involves hiking 20 required trails and selecting 5 elective ones, culminating in a coveted patch for those who conquer them all.
North Percy Peak is one of the 52 Hikes With a View!
New Hampshire's 52 With A View (52 WAV) is a curated list of 52 mountains, each under 4,000 feet in elevation, offering exceptional scenic vistas. Unlike the more rigorous 4,000-footer list, the 52 WAV provides a rewarding hiking experience with less strenuous climbs, making it accessible to a broader range of hikers.
Find out more about the North Percy Peak Hike and the Percy Peaks Trail:
Hike On Guides: Need help on a hike like this? Moe is a NYS licensed hiking and backpacking guide. You can hire him for Hiking, Backpacking and Camping Guide Services at Hike On Guides for hikes in New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
Hikes near the Percy Peaks
Gear we used on the hike up North Percy Peak:
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Important Hiking Considerations:
Weather: Check the weather forecast before your hike and be prepared for changes in conditions.
Safety: Some sections of trail can be steep and rocky, others can be muddy, so use caution and always watch your footing.
Leave No Trace: As with any outdoor activity, remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Pack out any trash, stay on the trail, and be respectful of the natural environment.
