Trailhead information
Notchland (Southern Terminus)
Primary- No restrooms
- No water
170 miles through New Hampshire's North Country, from Crawford Notch in the White Mountains north to the Canadian border. No permit or registration is required anywhere on the route.
“Walk 170 miles through New Hampshire's North Country, from Crawford Notch in the White Mountains north to the Canadian border.”
Plan your Cohos Trail Thru-Hike Permit trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get Cohos Trail
No permit is needed anywhere on the Cohos Trail. The Cohos Trail Association's own FAQ says no permit or registration is required to hike it.
More about Cohos Trail Thru-Hike PermitPlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
Cohos Trail permit season
- route distance, point to point
- 170mi
Cohos Trail elevation profile
Notchland (Southern Terminus) to Fourth Connecticut Lake / Prospect Hill (Northern Terminus)Trailhead
Notchland (Southern Terminus)
The Cohos Trail begins here near Crawford Notch, in the White Mountain National Forest.
Mile ≈0 of 169.7
0 Notchland (Southern Terminus)169.7 Fourth Connecticut Lake / Prospect Hill (Northern Terminus)
- Mile
- ≈0
- Elevation
- ≈1,016 ft
Cohos Trail landmarks
How to get a Cohos Trail permit
As of September 2026, the managing agency does not require a permit for Cohos Trail in Cohos Trail Thru-Hike Permit, New Hampshire. Cohos Trail rates 2/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The Cohos Trail route covers 170 miles, rated strenuous.
- Permit required
- No
- Type
- Thru-Hike
- Location
- New Hampshire's North Country, from the White Mountain National Forest to the Quebec border, NH
How this permit is issued
More on Cohos Trail: Live availability activityCohos Trail Thru-Hike permit itinerary
How much a Cohos Trail permit costs
Cohos Trail permit fee: Free.
The Cohos Trail hike
- Distance
- 170 miles
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 9-16 days
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
Walk 170 miles through New Hampshire's North Country, from Crawford Notch in the White Mountains north to the Canadian border.
About this permit
170 miles through New Hampshire's North Country, from Crawford Notch in the White Mountains north to the Canadian border. No permit or registration is required anywhere on the route.
The route
From Notchland (Southern Terminus), the route passes Mount Washington vicinity, Dry River Shelter, Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, Cherry Pond, Mount Cabot, before finishing at Fourth Connecticut Lake / Prospect Hill (Northern Terminus).
Why it matters
The Cohos Trail Association built and maintains the trail through some of New Hampshire's least-visited terrain, from the White Mountains to the remote Connecticut Lakes region near Canada.
The feeling
The crowds of the White Mountains thin out quickly heading north; much of the route runs through working forest and wildlife management areas where you may not see another hiker for days.
How hard the Cohos Trail hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills2/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity2/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended experience: Should have completed 10+ mile day hikes with significant elevation gain.
Trailhead information
Fourth Connecticut Lake / Prospect Hill (Northern Terminus)
- No restrooms
- No water
When to hike Cohos Trail
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Tomorrow: 72% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
- Day 3: 60% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
Today
🌧️
59°
52°
48%
Mon
🌧️
53°
52°
72%
Tue
🌧️
60°
54°
60%
Wed
☁️
67°
54°
Thu
☁️
73°
56°
Fri
🌧️
68°
47°
Sat
☁️
53°
38°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
Cohos Trail rules, gear and safety
Rules & regulations
- 01No permit is needed anywhere on the Cohos Trail. The Cohos Trail Association's own FAQ says no permit or registration is required to hike it.
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Cohos Trail.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Cohos Trail · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Cohos Trail FAQ
Do I need a permit for a Cohos Trail thru-hike?
No. The Cohos Trail Association's own FAQ does not require a permit or registration anywhere along the trail's 170 miles.
Where can I camp on a Cohos Trail thru-hike?
It depends which half you're on. South of Route 110, inside White Mountain National Forest, you can camp in the forest in most locations as long as you're 200 feet from the trail. North of Route 110 you need to use the trail's designated campsites and shelters instead of camping wherever you like.
Can I have a campfire on the Cohos Trail?
No. The Cohos Trail Association is blunt about it: fires are strictly forbidden on the trail.
What is the best month for a Cohos Trail thru-hike?
August, according to the Cohos Trail Association: most biting insects have retired for the year and the month is largely bug-free. Late spring brings heavy black fly activity along the entire route.
How long does a Cohos Trail thru-hike take?
Hikers have finished in as little as 9 days; most plan for about 2 weeks.
Which direction should I hike the Cohos Trail?
South to north (NOBO) is standard: starting at Notchland near Crawford Notch and finishing at Fourth Connecticut Lake on Prospect Hill at the Canadian border.
Is water hard to find on the Cohos Trail?
In a dry summer, yes, on the high ridges in the Kilkenny and between Gadwah Notch and Dixville Notch. Plan your water carries carefully through those stretches.
Where can I resupply on a Cohos Trail thru-hike?
Towns are sparse on the northern half. Between Jefferson Township and Happy Corner in Pittsburg there are no resupply depots at all on or near the trail, though a few state parks sell snacks and drinks, so plan a supply cache for that stretch.
Cohos Trail trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
No questions yet
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Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Cohos Trail permit
Where to stay near Cohos Trail
- Radeke CabinWhite Mountain National Forest
- Russell-Colbath Barn campgroundWhite Mountain National Forest
- Covered Bridge campgroundWhite Mountain National Forest
- All New Hampshire campgrounds
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