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Great Hikes: The Bonds

The Bonds - West Bond, Mt Bond, and Bondcliff (left to right)

One of the classic hikes in the White Mountains is a traverse of three 4000 foot mountains: West Bond, Mount Bond, and Bondcliff, collectively known as The Bonds. All of these summits are above treeline and provide fantastic views of the Pemigewasset Wilderness and surrounding mountains.

The Bonds are also among most remote peaks in the White Mountains, requiring an arduous and very long 20 or more mile day-hike (depending on the route taken) or a memorable 1-night backpacking trip that provides ample opportunity to hang out on the summits to take in the fantastic morning and evening views.

Do you want to Backpack the White Mountain 4000 Footers? Check out my Free Guidebook which has a full range of easy to strenuous backpacking trip plans.
Bondcliff, White Mountains
Bondcliff Mountain (4265′) seen from the summit of West Bond Mountain
Bondcliff Mountain, seen from the Mount Bond summit
Bondcliff Mountain seen from the Mount Bond summit
West Bond Mountain seen from the ledges on Bondcliff
West Bond Mountain (4540′) seen from the  southern shoulder of Mt Bond
Mount Bond, the highest peak in The Bonds Group
Massive Mount Bond (4698′),seen from the ledges of Bondcliff Mountain
Philip at the summit of Mt Bond
Philip at the summit of Mt Bond

Routes

Most hikers and backpackers approach The Bonds from the north starting at Zealand Road or the south from the Lincoln Woods Visitors Center and parking lot off the Kancamagus Highway and return back to their starting point at the end of their hike. It is also possible to traverse The Bonds from north to south, starting at Zealand Road and hiking to Lincoln Woods, or vice versa, but this requires shuttling a car nearly 30 miles to the end of the hike.

Trails Leading to The Bonds
Trails Leading to The Bonds

Lincoln Woods to The Bonds

Starting at the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center outside of Lincoln, NH, hikers follow the Lincoln Woods, Wilderness, and Bondcliff Trails from the south, reaching Bondcliff Mountain first, and then continuing to Mount Bond. Continuing along the Bondcliff Trail, hikers follow the West Bond Spur Trail to reach the summit of West Bond, a short half mile away. The section of the trail from Bondcliff to the summit of Mt Bond is very arduous with tricky footing, so care should be taken when hiking it.

The round trip distance of this route is 23 miles with 4,500 feet of cumulative elevation gain.

Zealand Road to The Bonds

Starting from the upper lot of Zealand Road, a seasonal road which only opens in late spring, hikers follow the Zealand Trail, Twinway, and Bondcliff Trails, reaching the junction to the West Bond Mountain Spur trail first, before continuing up to Mount Bond and then Bondcliff Mountain along the Bondcliff Trail. This route passes by the short spur trail to Zealand Mountain, another 4000 footers, which is usually climbed on the same trip.

The round trip distance of this route is 19.8 miles with 4,850 feet of cumulative elevation gain.

Full Bonds Traverse – Zealand Road to Lincoln Woods (or reverse)

A full north to south traverse from Zealand Road to Lincoln Woods or vice versa follows the routes described above. The distance from Zealand Road to Lincoln Woods is 19.5 miles with 3,700 feet of cumulative elevation gain, while the reverse  route from Lincoln Woods to Zealand Road is 19.5 miles with 4,550 feet of cumulative elevation gain.

Camping at the Guyot Campsite below Mt Bond
Camping at the Guyot Campsite below Mt Bond

Camping and Backcountry Lodging Options

Hikers also have the option to camp or stay at one of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Backcountry Huts en route to or from The Bonds.

For camping, White Mountain National Forest Backcountry Camping Rules are in effect requiring campers to set up campsites 200 feet from trails and water sources, especially since The Bonds and trails leading to them fall inside the protected Pemigewasset Wilderness Area.  The Forest Service enforces these rules and tickets violators to help curb overuse impacts along these popular summer routes. Regardless, please help us protect the wilderness area by being a good steward and voluntarily following the regulations so that we can all enjoy this area into the future.

Guyot Campsite

An excellent place to camp for a Bonds Traverse is just below the summit of Mt Bond at the Guyot Campsite and Shelter managed by the Appalachian Mountain Club. The campsite has wooden platforms in addition to a wooden shelter to house campers. Bear boxes are provided for overnight food storage. The campsite has a composting privy. There is also an excellent water source at the site. Use is first come first serve and there is a $8 fee collected by an on-site caretakers to defray the cost of human waste disposal. The campsite is very popular during the weekends, so try to arrive early. Day hikers are also welcome to resupply their water at the campsite’s spring.

AMC Galehead Hut
AMC Galehead Hut
Appalachian Mountain Club's Zealand Hut
AMC Zealand Falls Hut

AMC Backcountry Huts

Hikers can also stay overnight at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Galehead or Zealand Falls Backcountry Huts as a more luxurious alternative to camping. These huts are full service in summer providing meals and bedding for visitors. Contact the AMC for rates and reservations. 

The round trip distance from the Galehead Hut to the Bonds is 11.6 miles with 3,600 feet of cumulative elevation gain (because hikers must also climb South Twin Mountain, another 4000 footer, en route. The round trip distance from the Zealand Falls Hut to The Bonds is 14.2 miles with 4,200 feet of cumulative elevation gain.

Other routes are also possible, including a hut-to-hut traverse from Galehead to Zealand falls, with an out-and back detour to The Bonds.

Recommended Guidebooks and Maps:

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37 comments

  1. Guyot campsite also has the benefit of easy access to watching the sunset on top of west bond- always spectacular!

  2. Just curious – what tent is set up on the platform?

  3. wandering virginia

    You mention “from Galehead to Zealand” which makes me wonder, is Zealand to Galehead less viable?

  4. Just a quick correction. The section of trail which was the Wilderness Trail, between Bondcliff and Lincoln Woods Trails has been renamed. The trails from Lincoln Woods to the Bonds is now Lincoln Woods Trail, and Bondcliff Trail. All distances and elevations remain unchanged.

  5. I am a determined hiker and will be hiking alone- is this hike a good option for me? I just did a 3 night, 2.5 hike with my kids (10-13) franconia falls, 13 falls, over Garfield, 19.1 miles. Last bit was strenuous over Garfield, up a waterfall. Pace was a slow for me except the last ascent. I only have 2 full days..

    • If you need to ask probably not…not trying to be cruel, but if you don’t know how to determine your speed and the difficulty of the terrain by reading the White Mountain Guide and maps, then you probably don’t want to do an extended hike in this area without giving yourself plenty of time.

    • This is a much much easier climb than Garfield. I’d say yes, assuming you are comfortable with safety and understanding and dealing with challenges of higher elevations. Probably not a major deal for you.

  6. Ok, good advice. I will seek out an alternate hike. Thanks for putting together a great resource here!

  7. Hiked the Bonds in June and camped at Guyot. Hands down my favorite hike in the Whites.

  8. Planning a Bonds hike in September. Staying at Galehead and leaving the next morning for Lincoln Woods seems like a great option for those in their 60s and 70s.
    Any thoughts or advice?

  9. Phil- I consulted with my hiker buds and decided to do the hike- best one I’ve ever done due to the views! I left lincoln woods early- 5:45 which got me to Guyot early. My only advice to these is to replenish water at one of the stream crossings. I hiked on an 80 degree day and the ridge was super hot. I nearly ran out by the time I reached camp.

  10. Chantal Vaillancourt

    what happens if the platforms are full when you get there?

  11. Just a clarification on two of the peak names. They are simply West Bond and Bondcliff. They don’t have “Mountain” in their names. The Bonds are magical. There is no finer experience than sunset on West Bond and sunrise on Bond!

  12. Hi, I was wondering if this is a good backpacking trip to do with a very experienced hiking dog? Are the campsites dog friendly? Thanks for any info. Leah

    • I’ve done this hike w my golden from Lincoln woods. It was epic. There was a steep rocky section that my dog could not get up. We had to hike to go around and he had to be pushed up the side of the rock. Camped at guyot. He was welcome but had to be leashed and had to stay away from the cooking area.

  13. I would love to try this with my 17 year old son. I am pretty fit and have hiked plenty of 4000 footers. Slowing down lately.
    Which option for the bonds is easiest? Galehead loop or Zealabd loop.
    I’ve been to both huts and know that they’re an easy hike in.

  14. is it hard to get a driver or ride back down if you do the
    bonds traverse.
    Any ubers in that area?

  15. This looks great! Do you think this would be too crowded for about 5 people on an August weekend? For overnight camping. Thanks!

  16. looking to do the traverse from Zealand to Lincoln Woods with my pup…She is very experienced and this will be 35-38 for her. Hoping to camp at Guyot campsite and was want to be sure 1. she is allowed and 2. is there a spot nearby if platforms are full? Also, above, Brenda commented on a steep section that needed to be avoided, would love to know where this section was….
    Thanks :)

    • Try contacting the AMC or Forest Service for the campsite rules. I don’t know. if that steep spot is on a trail, it’s un-avoidable…get a topo map and decide.

      • i have a topo map…..nothing looks to be too terrible and all the trail reports and the guidebook are pretty much in agreement. thanks

      • Melissa – did you hike this with your pup? If so, did you encounter what Brenda did? I’m thinking of going up next year via Lincoln Woods and my guy is 105 lb great pyr/golden mix… he’s an excellent climber on dirt, but don’t know about rocks yet. Anyway, he’s not a dog I’d be looking forward to carrying – especially since he’s got his own pack, lol.

    • I stayed at Guyot a few years ago on a platform in a tent with a friend and her dog and it was fine not sure for the shelter or the huts. Its an amazing hike!

  17. What’s the best 2 day loop to do from Zealand Road? My girlfriend and I aren’t into asking for rides and would like to know if there is an alternate trail to bring us back to our car. Thoreau Falls trail looks to be the best bet but this article never mentions it. Cheers.

  18. Hi – planning a four hut hike for Aug 2019. Madison, Lake, Zealand and Galehead. Five days, four nights. On our last full day from Zealand to Galehead, thinking about adding the Bonds to the plan. Can anyone share thoughts on how long this day would be? Looks like it might be 13-14 miles? I’d be very appreciative of any thoughts and advice.

  19. Chitra Sundaram

    Philip: Thanks for all the great articles on hiking in NH White Mountains National Forest. We are planning a bunch of hikes for August. Given that weather can be a big factor in planning safely, what are your best recommended sources that we make sure to keep track of in deciding what weather conditions are likely to be on a real time basis? Thx Chitra

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