How to Hike Middle Sister (with the Option to Add on Chocorua), New Hampshire

Next to the iconic summit of Chocorua, Middle Sisters is a fantastic hike with several trail options and gorgeous view south towards Chocorua and north across the Kancamagus and up to the rest of the Whites. Below I’ll share the different options for how to hike Middle Sister and then the details of hiking it from the north past Champney and Pitcher Falls.

It’s also easy to add Chocorua to this hike meaning you get two summits from the list of the 52 with a View Hikes.

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Overview of Hiking Middle Sister

There are several routes you can take to get to Middle Sister. I’ve share the most common approaches below.

Middle Sister Trail
Distance: 9.6 miles
Elevation Gain: About 3,000 feet
Difficulty: Hard

This trail goes up from the same parking lot as the Piper Trail.  You can also hike up Carter Ledge Trail from this side.  You can make this a loop by going down the Piper Trail.

Champney Fall Trail
Distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2100 feet
Difficulty: Moderate/hard

This is the easiest approach and you also pass the beautiful Champney and Pitcher Falls.  It's possible to turn this into a loop by going up Chocorua and down to the Bolles Trail.

As an Add on from Chororua
From the summit of Chocorua, Middle sister is under a mile with only a few hundred feet of elevation gain.

Things to Know about How to Hike Middle Sister

Choose your route based on the day you want

• Champney Falls Trail is the easiest approach (6.5 miles, 2,100 feet) and passes Champney and Pitcher Falls. It’s the route I’d recommend for a first visit.
• Middle Sister Trail is the hardest option (9.6 miles, about 3,000 feet). It starts from the Piper Trail lot, and you can loop it by descending the Piper Trail.
• Adding Chocorua gets you two of the 52 with a View summits in one day. From Chocorua, Middle Sister is under a mile away with only a few hundred feet of climbing.

Trailhead and getting there

• The Champney Falls trailhead is right on the Kancamagus Highway and fills up in peak
• Parking/fee info: currently $5
• Cell service: It was in and out throughout the day – good on the summit, less good in the valleys.

Water crossings

• There are several stream crossings on the way up, and the number climbs fast if you do the loop (about 15 on the descent). After rain or during spring melt, high water can make them tricky.
• I would not do this trail in the spring when the water is high.

If you continue on to Chocorua

• The trail crosses First Sister, then climbs ledges to the Chocorua summit. This section is exposed.
• We hiked it in mid-October with some ice on the way up. The sun had dried the slabs by the time we got there, but I’d skip this extension if the rock is wet or icy.

Timing and season

• I hiked it in mid-October at peak foliage with a friend. The hike took up about 6.5 hours with some stops.

Hiking with a Dog

Cali Loved this hike. It’s a good hike with dogs but use caution as there are a few areas with drop offs.

Map of the Middle Sister Trails

Details of my Hike to Middle Sister

I did this summit in mid-October when the leaves were just at Peak with a friend. We approached the summit via the Champney Falls trail. The trailhead is right on the Kancamagus and is a generally moderate hike up through the forest. About 1 mile into the hike you reach the beautiful Champney and Pitcher Falls. This is really a lovely waterfall and there are stone stairs that go up alongside the waterfall.

From here the trail ascend steadily but moderately to the ridge between Chocorua and the Sisters. There are several small trails here that are well marked, but stay left to head toward Middle Sister. Before reaching the summit, you pass across an open ledge with your first great views of the valley. Continue on to the summit where you get 360 degree views. One of the best view is back toward Chocorua.

Quick Note: this trail has several stream crossings. If the water is high, this could be challenging.

After reaching the summit, you can turn around and retrace your steps, or continue on up Chocorua which is what we did. The trail cross over First sister and then climbs the ledges up to Chocorua. This is exposed and since we had some ice of the way up we were a little worried, but the sun had dried out the slabs.

From the summit, we turned this trail into a loop and descended on the Brook Trail (which has some steep scrambles) to the Beeline Trail and down to the Bowles Trail. These trails are not as well marked so make sure you download a map in advance. There are also about 15 stream crossings.

If you do this as a loop, the total milage is about 10.5 miles with 3300 feet of elevation.

Want more – get my guide over at New England Uncovered.