The Link
Near Adams Five · New Hampshire
The Link is a trail in the Presidential Range, climbing about 2,900 ft from Appalachia Trailhead to the Caps Ridge Trail junction.
Map length
6.8 mi
Climb from the low end
2,904 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
4 h 52 min / 3 h 38 min
High point
4,031 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
1,694 ft/mi
Stream crossings
5
Low point
1,331 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
The Link
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Appalachia Trailhead (the lower end) to Caps Ridge Trail junction.
- 0.0Appalachia Trailhead
- 0.5Junction with Amphibrach, Beechwood Way and Sylvan Way
- 0.6Bridge over Cold Brook
- 1.9Junction with Cliffway
- 2.5Junction with Lowe's Path
- 3.0Crosses a stream
- 3.7Junction with Cabin-Cascades Trail and Israel Ridge Path
- 3.8Crosses Cascade Brook
- 4.7Junction with Castle Ravine Trail
- 4.9Junction with Castle Ravine Trail and Emerald Trail
- 4.9Crosses Castle Brook
- 5.4Junction with Castle Trail
- 6.2Crosses a stream
- 6.8Junction with Caps Ridge Trail
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Amphibrach and Beechwood Way junction
0.51 mi (total 0.51) · ↑84 ↓16 ft · 18 min / 16 min
To Cliffway junction
1.35 mi (total 1.86) · ↑760 ↓0 ft · 1 h 4 min / 41 min
To Lowe's Path junction
0.61 mi (total 2.47) · ↑290 ↓0 ft · 27 min / 19 min
To Israel Ridge Path junction
1.27 mi (total 3.74) · ↑352 ↓7 ft · 49 min / 38 min
To Castle Ravine Trail junction
0.95 mi (total 4.69) · ↑356 ↓34 ft · 39 min / 29 min
To Castle Ravine Trail and Emerald Trail junction
0.18 mi (total 4.87) · ↑89 ↓0 ft · 8 min / 5 min
To Castle Trail junction
0.57 mi (total 5.44) · ↑789 ↓0 ft · 41 min / 17 min
To Caps Ridge Trail junction
1.39 mi (total 6.83) · ↑163 ↓394 ft · 47 min / 53 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachia Trailhead | Amphibrach and Beechwood Way junction | 0.51 | 0.51 | 84 / 16 ft | 18 min / 16 min |
| Amphibrach and Beechwood Way junction | Cliffway junction | 1.35 | 1.86 | 760 / 0 ft | 1 h 4 min / 41 min |
| Cliffway junction | Lowe's Path junction | 0.61 | 2.47 | 290 / 0 ft | 27 min / 19 min |
| Lowe's Path junction | Israel Ridge Path junction | 1.27 | 3.74 | 352 / 7 ft | 49 min / 38 min |
| Israel Ridge Path junction | Castle Ravine Trail junction | 0.95 | 4.69 | 356 / 34 ft | 39 min / 29 min |
| Castle Ravine Trail junction | Castle Ravine Trail and Emerald Trail junction | 0.18 | 4.87 | 89 / 0 ft | 8 min / 5 min |
| Castle Ravine Trail and Emerald Trail junction | Castle Trail junction | 0.57 | 5.44 | 789 / 0 ft | 41 min / 17 min |
| Castle Trail junction | Caps Ridge Trail junction | 1.39 | 6.83 | 163 / 394 ft | 47 min / 53 min |
↑ walking from Appalachia Trailhead; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Appalachia Trailhead
0.1 mi walk to the start of the trail
Off US 2 · About 75 spaces
Fall weekends: Full in 5 of 6 reports, as early as 7 am.
Fall weekdays: Had space in both reports.
Latest report, Sun, Oct 4: Overflowing.
Recent trip reports
No reports on this trail in the last 30 days; the latest are below. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Sat, Sep 5Wet
Water crossings: Rock Hop-able
Full report on NETC
Connecting trails
Packing for fall? The fall gear guide has the full list.
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.