Mount Willey, Mountain summit in White Mountains, New Hampshire, US.
Mount Willey is a mountain summit in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, reaching about 4,285 feet (1,306 m) above sea level. It belongs to the Willey Range, a group of peaks sitting close together, with forested slopes leading up to a rocky top.
The mountain takes its name from Samuel Willey Jr., whose entire family died in a landslide at Crawford Notch in 1826. The tragedy drew wide attention at the time and brought many visitors to the area, turning the site into one of the most talked-about places in New England.
The summit is home to Canada jays, a bird known for landing on hikers' hands to take food directly from their fingers. This makes the walk feel surprisingly personal, as the birds show no fear of people passing through.
The summit is reached by the Mount Willey Trail, which starts near Route 302 at Willey Station Road. The trail is rated moderate and is best done from late spring through fall, when the path is free of snow and ice.
The peak sits on a water divide, meaning rain falling on its northern side drains into the Saco River while rain on the southern side flows toward the Pemigewasset River. A single step on the ridge can put you on the boundary between two entirely separate river systems.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
