Welch-Dickey Loop Hiking Guide
Welch and Dickey are small mountains with big personalities. Their summits are below 3,000 feet, but long stretches of the loop run across open granite ledges, so the views start early and hardly stop — across the surrounding valleys and peaks. For a moderate half-day, few White Mountains hikes offer as much sky.
Permit: White Mountain National Forest recreation pass: $5 per day or $30 annual; America the Beautiful passes accepted
The Loop
The Forest Service lists the Welch-Dickey Loop at 4.4 miles; guides put the gain at about 1,800 feet. Many hikers go counter-clockwise, climbing Welch first. The trail crosses long sections of open bedrock where you follow cairns and paint blazes, with some short steep scrambles.
Slick Ledges
The open granite ledges are the highlight and the hazard. They are slippery when wet, and TrailFinder warns they turn extremely icy and dangerous in fall, winter and spring. Avoid the ledges after rain, carry traction in the shoulder seasons and keep dogs leashed near drop-offs.
Fragile Plants
The ledges support fragile sub-alpine vegetation that grows in thin soil and cracks in the rock. The Forest Service asks hikers to stay on the marked trail and bare rock, and not to step on mosses and low plants. Walking on the rock itself does no harm.
Parking
The trailhead is on Orris Road off Upper Mad River Road near Thornton and Waterville Valley. The lot is reported to fill by about 9 a.m. on weekends, especially in fall, so arrive early. It is a White Mountain National Forest fee site: $5 per day, $30 for an annual pass, with America the Beautiful passes accepted. There is a vault toilet and no potable water.
Practicalities
Dogs are permitted; keep them leashed near drop-offs. The exposed ledges get hot in summer sun, so bring water and sun protection. Autumn colour from the ledges is superb, and fall weekends are the busiest time. The loop is a good introduction to White Mountains ledge hiking for families with older children.
Hiking tips for Welch-Dickey Loop
- Pay the $5 WMNF fee at the trailhead, or display an annual or America the Beautiful pass.
- Arrive by 9 a.m. on weekends before the lot fills.
- Avoid the ledges after rain and carry traction in spring and fall.
- Stay on bare rock and marked trail to protect the fragile ledge plants.
- Carry water and sun protection; the open ledges get hot in summer.
Nearby trails to explore
- Franconia Ridge Loop
- Lonesome Lake
- Artist's Bluff and Bald Mountain
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Welch-Dickey is the White Mountains' best big-view half day. Use TrailMates to find hikers for a fall ledge walk. Download the TrailMates app to connect.