The hike from the bottom to the summit is 8-10 miles and 4000 elevation gain, should you choose to do that. But the hikes from the summit to any number of destinations is at least as much fun. They give you plenty of warning about safety, weather and hiking conditions. Heed them, there’s a reason! We got mighty soaked on a short hike we took and were turned back due to lightning. Guide service (equipped with observatory weather info) is available through the Mount Washington Observatory.