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The pink alpenglow on Mount Washington is reflected in a river in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, during a vibrant autumn sunset.
New Hampshire

Choose Your Pace: Hiking the White Mountains

Program No. 25656RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
17 meals ( 6B, 5L, 6D )
4 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your name tag. If you arrive early, you may leave your luggage at the front desk.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to meet with program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via motorcoach and shuttle van. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 161 miles, over 2 hours driving time. Walking and standing for approximately 1.5 hours in museum.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll check out of the hotel, board a motorcoach, and drive from Boston to Manchester, New Hampshire. We’ll stop at the Currier Museum of Art—featuring a diverse range of paintings, sculpture, and photography, including European and American masterpieces. Widely recognized for its notable American art collection, the museum offers an inviting setting to explore works spanning several centuries and artistic movements.
Lunch:
At the museum.
Afternoon:
Back aboard the motorcoach, we’ll make our way up to the AMC Highland Center. Set in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the AMC Highland Center is a modern outdoor lodge built on the historic site of the grand Crawford House, an 1800s hotel that helped launch mountain tourism in the region. Located at the base of the Presidential Range, it offers easy access to some of the oldest hiking trails in the country, including the Crawford Path. Upon arrival, we’ll meet our guides, have a program overview, and sign up for the next day’s activities.
Dinner:
In the Highland Center’s Crawford Dining Room.
Evening:
We’ll collect any gear required for the next day’s activities and relax by the fire pit.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a shuttle van. Three hiking choices. Easy Hike: Saco Lake & Elephant’s Head; 1.7 miles roundtrip, 200' elevation gain/loss. Moderate Hike: Mount Willard; 3.2 miles roundtrip, 900' elevation gain/loss. Challenging Hike: Mount Crawford; 4.3 miles round trip, 2,100' elevation gain/loss.
Breakfast:
In the Highland Center’s Crawford Dining Room. After breakfast, we’ll pack lunches and snacks for today’s hike from some basic options (which may vary throughout the week). Be sure to bring your own reusable water bottle.
Morning:
We will divide into three groups (based on physical demands, hiking ability, and preference) and set out with local experts on trails near the center. 1. Easy Hike: Saco Lake & Elephant's Head. 2. Moderate Hike: Mount Willard. 3. Challenging Hike: Mount Crawford.
Lunch:
On the trail.
Afternoon:
We will continue our hiking field trips, then return to the center and sign up for the next day’s activities.
Dinner:
In the Highland Center’s Crawford Dining Room.
Evening:
At the center, we’ll gather for a lecture on the unique features of the White Mountains led by a local expert. Topics for the next few evenings may range from hiking skills and alpine ecology to regional history and conservation.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a shuttle van. Three hiking choices. Easy Hike: Ammonoosuc Lake Trail; 1.8 miles roundtrip, 150' elevation gain/loss. Moderate Hike: Zealand Falls Hut; 5 miles roundtrip, 600' elevation gain/loss. Challenging Hike: Mount Eisenhower; 6.1 miles roundtrip, 2,769' elevation gain/loss.
Breakfast:
In the Highland Center’s Crawford Dining Room. We will make our own lunches to take with us. Be sure to bring your own reusable water bottle.
Morning:
We will divide into three groups (based on physical demands, hiking ability, and preference) and set out with our local experts. Easy Hike: Ammonoosuc Lake Trail & Afternoon Bretton Woods gondola ride. Moderate Hike: Zealand Falls Hut. Challenging Hike: Mount Eisenhower.
Lunch:
On the trail.
Afternoon:
We will continue our hiking field trips, then return to the center and sign up for the next day's activities.
Dinner:
In the Highland Center’s Crawford Dining Room.
Evening:
We’ll meet for another expert lecture on the White Mountains at the center.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a shuttle van. Three hiking choices. Easy Hike: Mount Washington State Park; 1 hour shuttle. Moderate Hike: Mount Washington State Park via Auto Road & Alpine Garden; 2.5 miles roundtrip; 600’ elevation gain/loss. Challenging Hike: Mount Washington State Park via Auto Road & Alpine Garden & Joe Dodge Lodge via Appalachian Trail; 5.5 miles roundtrip, 600’ gain/925’ loss.
Breakfast:
In the Highland Center’s Crawford Dining Room. We will make our own lunches to take with us. Be sure to bring your own reusable water bottle.
Morning:
We will divide into three groups (based on physical demands, hiking ability, and preference) and set out with our local experts. Easy Hike: Mount Washington State Park via Auto Road (1 hour shuttle). Moderate Hike: Mount Washington State Park via Auto Road & Alpine Garden (1 hour shuttle). Challenging Hike: Mount Washington State Park via Auto Road & Alpine Garden & Joe Dodge Lodge via Appalachian Trail.
Lunch:
On the trail.
Afternoon:
We will continue our hiking field trips, then return to the center and sign up for the next day’s activities.
Dinner:
In the Highland Center’s Crawford Dining Room.
Evening:
White Mountains lecture at the center.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a shuttle van. Three hiking choices. Easy Hike: Flume Gorge; 2 miles roundtrip; 450' elevation gain/loss. Moderate Hike: Arethusa Falls; 2.8 miles roundtrip; 885' elevation gain/loss. Challenging Hike: Mount Jackson and Mount Webster; 6.1 miles round trip, 2,375' elevation gain/loss.
Breakfast:
In the Highland Center’s Crawford Dining Room. We will make our own lunches to take with us. Be sure to bring your own reusable water bottle.
Morning:
We will divide into three groups (based on physical demands, hiking ability, and preference) and set out with our local experts. Easy Hike: Flume Gorge. Moderate Hike: Arethusa Falls. Challenging Hike: Mount Jackson and Mount Webster via Appalachian Trail.
Lunch:
On the trail.
Afternoon:
We will continue our hiking field trips, then return to the center.
Dinner:
In the Highland Center’s Crawford Dining Room. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We’ll gather around the campfire or enjoy an evening social in the living room. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; departure at 9:00 a.m.; driving about 162 miles to airport, approximately 2.5 hours riding time depending on traffic; expected arrival approximately 11:30 a.m. followed by drop-offs at the first hotel. We recommend scheduling flights that depart after 1:30 p.m.
Breakfast:
In the Highland Center’s Crawford Dining Room.
Morning:
We’ll board the motorcoach and make our way back to Boston. Departure from Bretton Woods is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. The trip to Boston Logan International Airport is approximately 2.5 hours, with expected arrival by 11:30 a.m. We recommend scheduling flights that depart after 1:30 p.m. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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