Mount Tom via Avalon Trail

The Mount Tom via Avalon Trail is 5.4 miles round trip, starting at Crawford Depot (Route 302). At AMC book time — half the distance in hours plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing — that works out to roughly 3-5 hours. Most parties take longer than book time on rough or above-treeline terrain, in winter, or with a heavy pack.

The Mount Tom via Avalon Trail climbs about 2,138 ft over 5.4 miles — an average of roughly 396 ft of gain per mile. That figure is cumulative ascent across the whole out-and-back, not the difference between the trailhead and the high point.

HikerNerd rates the Mount Tom via Avalon Trail Moderate, scored with the Shenandoah difficulty formula — √(elevation gain × 2 × distance) — applied to its 5.4 miles and 2,138 ft of gain. The score measures physical effort only. Above-treeline exposure, water crossings, and winter conditions can make a moderate-rated route the hardest day of your year, so check current conditions before committing.

The Mount Tom via Avalon Trail summits 1 named peak: Mount Tom.

The Mount Tom via Avalon Trail starts at Crawford Depot (Route 302). Check the trail alerts on this page before you drive — trailhead access and parking in the White Mountains change with closures and construction.