Season Dates:

Full-Service Season
June 2, 2022 – September 24, 2022
June 1, 2023 – September 24, 2023

Hike a challenging 3.8 miles to Madison Spring Hut for spectacular views of the Presidential, Kilkenny, and Pilot Ranges. Visit nearby Star Lake for its ethereal atmosphere, ringed by the unique and fragile plant life of the Alpine Zone. Head higher and tag surrounding 4,000-footers Mounts Madison and Adams for an adventure of a lifetime.

Madison Spring Hut offers co-ed bunkrooms and separate washrooms with composting toilets and cold water sinks. AMC Huts are in backcountry locations and are “off the grid,” meaning they are only accessible by hiking. Bunkrooms are not heated, have no lighting, and no electrical outlets are available. Rooms stay cold, so bring an appropriately rated sleeping bag and a headlamp or flashlight for your overnight visit.

The legendary AMC hut “croo” or caretakers are available to assist you with trip planning, trail information, and weather reports while our Hut Naturalist offers daily programs about the local flora and fauna, geology, and hut history before and after dinner in full-service season.

Full-Service Season

Cold running water is available in the washrooms. Blankets and pillows will no longer be provided at the huts but sleeping bag, pillows, and gear rentals are available through Effortless Adventures. Dinner and breakfast are included with your stay. Breakfast is served family-style at 7 a.m. sharp and includes eggs with pancakes or a baked good, plus hot cereal, fruit, and breakfast meat, such as bacon or sausage, with coffee, cocoa, or tea. Dinner is served family-style at 6 p.m. sharp and includes fresh bread, soup, salad, a hearty entrée, and dessert. Please notify AMC Contact Service Center if you have food allergies or other dietary restrictions. Bring your own lunch; otherwise soup and baked goods are available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please carry in/carry out all personal trash and recyclables, in accordance to Leave No Trace protocol.

Self-Service Season

Madison Spring Hut is closed during the winter and spring and does not offer a self-service option.

Cancellation Policies

Learn more about AMC’s cancellation policies for lodging and programs.

Trail Access

The Valley Way trailhead parking lot is located on NH Route 2 in Randolph, NH. Valley Way to Madison Hut is a 3.8-mile hike up a sustained steep grade on rocky terrain. The trail starts in the hardwood forest in moderate terrain but as the trail climbs, the trail quickly becomes steeper and rockier and the footing more uneven.  Hiking poles can be helpful for stability. Elevation gain is 3,500 feet and hikers should plan for 3 to 5 hours. This hike is considered challenging for the steady uphill climb on a rocky trail.

An alternate route recommended for fair weather days is the Airline Trail. The Airline Trail leaves from the same trailhead parking. It is a difficult 3.7-mile hike, taking approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes with an elevation gain of 3,550 feet.

Getting Around

AMC’s Hiker Shuttle connects the Highland Center, Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, and the towns of Lincoln and Gorham with major trails to the huts, allowing hikers to start and end their trip at different points. The stop in the town of Lincoln is coordinated with Concord Coach bus service. Hiker Shuttle runs daily for most of the full-service hut season, from early June to mid-September. The shuttle operates on weekends only from mid-September to mid-October. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Weather

The right clothing and gear are essential in the unpredictable weather of the Northeast’s mountains. Even if it feels like summer in the valleys, it can be cold and winter-like on the high peaks. Be prepared for severe weather regardless of season, dress in layers (including synthetic or wool base and insulating layers, and a windproof/waterproof outer shell), eat high energy foods, and stay hydrated.

Our Commitment to Sustainable Operations

AMC has a long-standing commitment to using its huts, lodges, and sporting camps as models for sustainable operations and environmental stewardship. At Madison Spring Hut we use solar panels for solar hot water preheats and battery banks to run electricity and use LED lighting. The hut has waterless toilets and we are committed to recycling and composting food.