Welch-Dickey Loop

This is a moderate hike that leads to the rocky summits of Welch and Dickey Mountains, offering stunning white mountain views in every direction.

Distance: 4 Miles (Loop)

Elevation Gain: 1,751 Feet

Time: 2-4 Hours

The trail begins at the parking lot off of Orris Road, just past the Gateway condominiums on Upper Mad River Road. Most people hike the trail counter-clockwise, and this description follows that direction.

Bearing right at the beginning, it crosses a brook and traverses the foothills of Welch Mountain, and then begins to ascend by switchbacks, coming out onto "Welch Ledge," which offers a stunning view of the Mad River Valley and the Sandwich Range.

From there, the trail rises more steeply among the rocks, with several difficult passages up the ledges, eventually crossing over the Welch summit, and continuing down into the col between the two peaks.

After a short wooded section of conifers, it ascends steeply up to the Dickey summit, and then traces the rock ledge back into the woods. It gradually descends a mature hardwood forest back down to the parking lot.

If you snap any photos on your hike, be sure to tag @waterville_valley.