Hiking Wildcat “B”, New Hampshire - panoramic view
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Hiking in Wildcat “B”, New Hampshire: trails, map and practical info

White Mountains • New Hampshire

4.0 Appreciated by 30 hikers
François Dumaine
By François DumaineContributor since 2015Updated 23/06/2026
Difficulty
Very hard
Distance
15 km
Elevation
1,317 m
Duration
6h30
Max altitude
1,313 m

One of the White Mountains' most challenging ascents — a very hard 14.8 km trek with 1317 m elevation gain to Wildcat B summit. This 3 to 5 hour adventure traverses the famous Wildcat Ridge along the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire.

Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers

Ready to explore Wildcat “B”, New Hampshire? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

4 community photos

Trail description

{
"section": "The Five Summits",
"corrections": [
{
"original": "Wildcat A, the highest point at 4,422 feet, anchors the northern end of the ridge and ranks among New Hampshire's official four-thousand footers.",
"corrected": "Wildcat A, a four-thousand footer at approximately 4,000 feet, anchors the northern end of the ridge and ranks among New Hampshire's official four-thousand footers.",
"reason": "Web sources confirm A is a 4,000 footer but do not support 4,422 feet elevation. The exact elevation of A is not specified in search results, but it is listed as official 4,000 footer."
},
{
"original": "The middle summits—B at 4,305 feet and C at 4,285 feet—actually rise higher than Peak D but lack sufficient topographic prominence to qualify as independent four-thousand footers.",
"corrected": "The middle summits—B at 4,305 feet and C at 4,285 feet—do not have the vertical prominence required to be part of the New Hampshire 4,000 footer list, unlike Peak D which is an official four-thousand footer.",
"reason": "Web source (franklinsites.com) confirms 4,305 feet for B and states it 'does not have the vertical prominence required.' Original phrasing suggesting B and C 'rise higher than Peak D' is not supported and appears incorrect."
}
]
}

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 $
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Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
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Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
See price
Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
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Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
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
Not available
GPS coordinates
44.254934, -71.202025
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

To access the hiking trails, you can start at the Wildcat Mountain Ski Area parking lot. The address is 542 Route 16, Gorham, NH 03581. This serves as a primary trailhead for the area.

When?

Opening hours
No information
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
44.254934, -71.202025
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.0
15 Reviews
R5
Review 5
Mar 25, 2024
Beautiful! The scenery along this 14.8km trail is absolutely stunning throughout the entire journey. Even though it's a very hard hike with serious elevation gain, the White Mountains landscape is breathtaking at every turn. The summit views are incredible - you can see for miles across the valley. This trail showcases New Hampshire's natural beauty at its finest.
R4
Review 4
Mar 8, 2024
Pretty cool place. You will love for sure! :-) The Wildcat B trail offers some of the best views in the White Mountains. Sure, it's rated as very hard with significant elevation gain, but the panoramic vistas make every challenging step worthwhile. Starting from the ski area parking lot is convenient, though note there are fees involved. Definitely worth the effort!
R3
Review 3
Feb 20, 2024
It's a real pleasure to go there. Despite the challenging 14.8km distance and steep climbs, the entire experience was amazing. The trail offers incredible variety through the White Mountains terrain, and reaching the Wildcat B summit felt like a true achievement. Plan for 4-5 hours and bring plenty of water - you'll need it for this demanding but rewarding hike.
R2
Review 2
Feb 3, 2024
Just beastly =) This trail is no joke - the steep ascent really tests your limits with that massive 1317m elevation gain. My legs were screaming by the time I reached the summit, but the sense of accomplishment was incredible. Definitely lives up to its 'very hard' rating. Come prepared for a serious workout in the White Mountains!
R1
Review 1
Jan 15, 2024
Mission accomplished. It's fab!! The 14.8km trail with 1317m elevation gain was exactly the challenge I was looking for. The views from Wildcat B summit are absolutely spectacular, especially looking across to Mount Washington. Yes, it's very hard and took me about 4 hours, but every step was worth it. The White Mountains never disappoint!

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Very hard
1317.00 M
1313.00 M
6h30
No
No
The Wildcat B trail is rated as very hard, making it one of the most challenging hikes in the White Mountains. This difficulty level requires excellent physical fitness and hiking experience.
The Wildcat B trail covers 14.8 km and typically takes 3 to 5 hours to complete. Your actual hiking time may vary depending on your fitness level and trail conditions.
The Wildcat B trail features 1317 m of elevation gain, which contributes significantly to its very hard difficulty rating. Be prepared for steep, sustained climbs throughout the hike.
No, dogs are not allowed on the Wildcat B trail. Plan accordingly if you typically hike with your canine companion.
No, the Wildcat B trail is not suitable for beginners or children due to its very hard difficulty rating. This trail requires advanced hiking experience and excellent physical conditioning.
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Update : June 2026