Wild River Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area situated within the White Mountain National Forest, near the New Hampshire and Maine border. This rugged landscape is defined by the Wild River Valley, flanked by the prominent Carter-Moriah and Baldface-Royce mountain ranges, and features diverse forest ecosystems ranging from low-elevation hardwoods to subalpine vegetation. The area's primitive character and challenging terrain make it a destination for several sports like hiking, jogging, road cycling, and touring cycling.
55
Routes
4.3
(13)
Average rating
495
People visited

43
hikers
5.92km
02:35
560m
10m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

3.0
(1)
36
hikers
32.5km
14:49
2,420m
1,520m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(1)
30
hikers
14.3km
06:38
1,080m
850m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

3.0
(1)
23
hikers
16.0km
07:07
990m
990m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(1)
68
riders
12.5km
02:02
1,410m
20m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

21
riders
116km
05:42
1,720m
1,720m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
12
riders
128km
05:43
1,370m
1,370m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

18
riders
55.7km
02:24
340m
340m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(1)
73
riders
12.3km
02:14
1,400m
20m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
73.1km
04:28
640m
640m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

37.9km
03:02
420m
420m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10.5km
00:56
330m
330m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

3
runners
15.5km
03:04
1,020m
1,020m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

2
runners
5.35km
00:36
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

1
runners
31.7km
04:31
1,300m
1,300m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

1
runners
16.3km
03:24
1,190m
1,190m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Wild River Wilderness offers opportunities for hiking, jogging, road cycling, and touring cycling. The area features 29.7 miles of trails, including the Wild River Trail and various side trails, along with a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) dirt road for cyclists.
Wild River Wilderness is located within the White Mountain National Forest, primarily in New Hampshire near the Maine border. It is flanked by the Carter-Moriah Range to the west and the Baldface-Royce Range to the east.
Yes, Wild River Wilderness offers some routes suitable for beginners. Information on easier options can be found in the Easy hikes in Wild River Wilderness guide.
The Wild River Trail is a primary route, following an old railroad grade. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail also borders the western ridgeline. More details on hiking options are available in the Hiking in Wild River Wilderness guide.
Yes, the wilderness is suitable for jogging and trail running, particularly along the Wild River Trail. For dedicated running routes, consult the Running Trails in Wild River Wilderness guide.
While the wilderness itself has rugged trails, touring cyclists can use the 5.5-mile (8.9 km) dirt road leading to the Wild River Campground. Guides like Road Cycling Routes in Wild River Wilderness and Cycling in Wild River Wilderness provide more information.
The wilderness features diverse forest ecosystems, the Wild River Valley, and mountain ranges like Carter-Moriah and Baldface-Royce. Notable peaks include Carter Dome (approximately 4,800 feet / 1,463 m) and Mount Hight. Water features include the Wild River and Eagle Cascade waterfalls.
Yes, the wilderness features various stream and brook crossings, including waterfalls like Eagle Cascade in Charles Ravine. Specific routes to experience these can be found in the Waterfall hikes in Wild River Wilderness guide.
Wild River Wilderness has been visited by more than 7,000 komoot users. Routes in the area have an average rating of 4.42 out of 5 stars based on over 300 ratings.
As part of the White Mountain National Forest, information for Wild River Wilderness can be found on the official website: www.fs.usda.gov/whitemountain.
For inquiries regarding Wild River Wilderness, contact the White Mountain National Forest Supervisor's Office at +1-603-536-6100. The Androscoggin Ranger District, which is in a nearby area, can be reached at +1-603-466-2713.
Yes, the area contains traces of a significant logging era from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors can discover remnants of logging-era artifacts and old railroad grades scattered throughout the woods.
Wild River Wilderness is special due to its designation as a federal wilderness area, preserving its natural conditions and prohibiting most man-made development. This offers a primitive style of recreation, solitude, and a chance to experience a landscape largely reclaimed by nature.

