Hancock Notch Trail
On the way up Mount Hancock (North Peak), Mount Hancock (South Peak) · New Hampshire
Hancock Notch Trail is a trail in the Pemigewasset Wilderness and the Willey Range, climbing about 1,150 ft from the Sawyer River Trail junction to Hancock Notch Trailhead (Kancamagus Hairpin).
Map length
6.5 mi
Climb from the low end
1,161 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
3 h 49 min / 3 h 37 min
High point
2,816 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
816 ft/mi
Stream crossings
5
Low point
1,750 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
HikerNerd routes on this trail
Hancock Notch Trail
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Sawyer River Trail junction (the lower end) to Hancock Notch Trailhead (Kancamagus Hairpin).
- 0.0Sawyer River Trail junction
- 0.8Crosses Sawyer River
- 1.3Crosses Sawyer River
- 2.5Crosses Sawyer River
- 3.1Crosses Sawyer River
- 3.4Crosses Sawyer River
- 3.8Hancock Notch
- 4.7Junction with Cedar Brook Trail
- 6.5Hancock Notch Trailhead (Kancamagus Hairpin)
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Cedar Brook Trail junction
4.67 mi (total 4.67) · ↑1,115 ↓359 ft · 2 h 53 min / 2 h 31 min
To Hancock Notch Trailhead (Kancamagus Hairpin)
1.79 mi (total 6.46) · ↑47 ↓413 ft · 55 min / 1 h 6 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sawyer River Trail junction | Cedar Brook Trail junction | 4.67 | 4.67 | 1,115 / 359 ft | 2 h 53 min / 2 h 31 min |
| Cedar Brook Trail junction | Hancock Notch Trailhead (Kancamagus Hairpin) | 1.79 | 6.46 | 47 / 413 ft | 55 min / 1 h 6 min |
↑ walking from Sawyer River Trail junction; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Hancock Notch Trailhead (Kancamagus Hairpin)
Off Kancamagus Highway · Parking fee
Weekends (all seasons): Full in 6 of 12 reports, as early as 7:45 am; others found space as late as 8 am.
Fall weekdays: Full in 2 of 3 reports, as early as 2 pm; others found space as late as 7:45 am.
Latest report, Thu, Oct 1: Nearly empty at 7:45 am, then overflowing at 2 pm.
All parking reports for Hancock Notch Trailhead (Kancamagus Hairpin)
Summit conditions
Today's conditions reportRecent trip reports
3 reports on this trail in the last 30 days: snow or ice in 0, microspikes recommended in 0, mud in 3. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Thu, Oct 1MudDry
Water crossings: Easy rock hops
Full report on NETC - Wed, Sep 30MudWetDry
Water crossings: All rock hops
Full report on NETC - Fri, Sep 11MudDry
Water crossings: All easy rock hops even for those of us with short legs.
Full report on NETC - Fri, Aug 21MudDry
Water crossings: All easy to rock hop.
Full report on NETC - Sat, Aug 15MudWetDry
Water crossings: All crossings, even those of the Swift River and Sawyer River, were relatively easy rock hops. Attribute this to the relatively dry conditions in 2026.
Full report on NETC
Connecting trails
What to bring
From the summit forecast, Sat to MonPaid links. Backcountry.com pays me if you buy. Prices are Backcountry's, checked twice a day.
64 mph
Summit gusts
Plan a below-treeline hike
Daytime gusts near 64 mph above treeline. Pick a sheltered route or another day.
30°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 30°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
11h 13m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 6:08 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.