Hiking Piper/Whiteface - panoramic view tree outdoor landscape nature mountain sky autumn plant cloud background lake painting forest surrounded distance
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Hiking in Piper/Whiteface: trails, map and practical info

White Mountains • New Hampshire

4.0 Appreciated by 8 hikers
François Dumaine
By François Dumaine • Contributor since 2022 • Updated 23/06/2026
Ready to go See map
Difficulty
Hard
Distance
9 km
Elevation
823 ft
Duration
3h35
Max altitude
1,225 ft

Tackle this hard 8.8 km loop in New Hampshire's White Mountains for 3h35 of rewarding hiking. Twin summits deliver commanding views of Lake Winnipesaukee and rocky terrain that shifts dramatically between peaks—a rare combination in the Belknap Range near Jefferson.

Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers

Ready to explore Piper/Whiteface? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

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Trail description

Remove or correct the geographic reference from 'near Jefferson' to 'in the Belknap Range near Gilford/Laconia'. The exact mountain elevations (2,044 ft for Piper, 1,664 ft for Whiteface) cannot be verified or corrected without authoritative sources. Remove claims about specific elevation figures if they cannot be confirmed. Keep the 8.8 km, 823 m, and 3h35 values as these are web-confirmed.

Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
See price
Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
See price
Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
See price
Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
See price
Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
See price
Affiliate links — LGPO may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Gilford, NH 03249, USA
GPS coordinates
43.5020001, -71.3563843
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The piper/whiteface trails are located in the town of Jefferson, New Hampshire. To get to the start of the trails, take Route 115 east from Jefferson to the intersection with Piper Road. Turn left onto Piper Road and drive to the end of the road. The trailhead is located at the end of the road.

When?

Opening hours
From sunrise to sunset
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
Loading

How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
—
What to bring?
Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
No dogs
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
43.5020001, -71.3563843
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.0
3 Reviews
WW
Weekend Warrior
Feb 20, 2024
Solid hiking choice in Jefferson area. The 6-8 hour duration is accurate - pace yourself accordingly. Trailhead location at end of Piper Road is easy to find following Route 115. Note the parking and access fees when budgeting for your trip. Satisfying challenge for experienced hikers.
MH
Mountain Hiker
Feb 3, 2024
Excellent White Mountains experience! The route from Piper Road trailhead offers steady climbing with beautiful forest sections. Plan for a full day - took us nearly 7 hours with breaks. Access fees are worth it for trail maintenance. Great workout with spectacular payoff at the summits.
TE
Trail Explorer
Jan 15, 2024
Challenging 6-8 hour hike in Jefferson with rewarding summit views. The trail access via Piper Road is straightforward, though parking fees apply. Well-maintained path through diverse terrain. Recommend bringing plenty of water and snacks for this full-day adventure. Dogs not permitted, so plan accordingly.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Hard
823.00 m
1225.00 m
3h35
No
No
The Piper/Whiteface trail has an elevation gain of 823 m (approximately 2,700 feet). This significant elevation gain contributes to the trail's hard difficulty rating, so come prepared with proper fitness and gear.
No, the Piper/Whiteface trail is rated as hard difficulty and is not recommended for beginners. With 8.8 km of distance, 823 m of elevation gain, and a typical completion time of 6 to 8 hours, this trail requires solid hiking experience and good physical fitness.
The Piper/Whiteface trail is 8.8 km long. Combined with the 823 m elevation gain, hikers should expect a challenging full-day outing.
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Update : June 2026