Access to great hiking is one of the major perks of life in the Granite State – it’s a lot easier to enjoy the wilderness here than in other states, that’s for sure. However, if you have young kids, getting out there can be quite a challenge. After all, who wants to deal with a tantrum when you’re miles from your car? That’s why hikes under a mile are ideal for families – just enough time to enjoy nature, with limited potential for meltdowns. Here are a few of the best hikes in New New Hampshire that are short and perfect for kids. So if you’ve ever searched for “kid-friendly hikes around New Hampshire” or “short hiking trails near me,” search no more. This article has you covered!
- Pitcher Mountain, Stoddard
AllTrails/Eric Ruffin This hike is only 0.7 miles round-trip, and it offers the most stunning views of fields and mountains. In the summer, you’ll find blueberry bushes ripe for picking along the trail! Learn more about Pitcher Mountain Trail, and then check it out. Pitcher Mountain, Stoddard, NH 03464, USA
- Glen Ellis Falls Trail, Gorham
AllTrails/Josh Kraus This 0.4 mile round-trip hike will take you to a gorgeous waterfall and basin – no mountain climbing required. It’s one of the most scenic hikes in New Hampshire. Read more about Glen Ellis Falls Trail, and then grab the whole family and give it a go. Glen Ellis Falls, Jackson, NH 03846, USA
- Rocky Gorge and Falls Pond, Conway
AllTrails/Ashley Turner This one-mile round trip hike will take you past a beautiful gorge and to a lake, and is stunning all through the summer and fall. It is one of the most lovely easy hikes in New Hampshire, so put it on your list. Rocky Gorge Scenic Area, Kancamagus Hwy, Albany, NH 03818, USA
- Echo Lake Trail, North Conway
AllTrails/Bryn Davis This 0.8 mile loop trail offers some of the most stunning views you can find in the Granite State – there’s something just plain otherworldly about Echo Lake. Read more about Echo Lake Trail, and then grab your gear and hike it. Echo Lake Road, Echo Lake Rd, Conway, NH 03860, USA
- Square Ledge in Pinkham Notch, Gorham
AllTrails/Maggie Jividen This rocky trail will take you to a dramatic viewpoint – you might even be able to watch some rock climbers in action. This is truly one of the best hikes in New Hampshire. So learn more about Square Ledge, then head on over. AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, 361 NH-16, Gorham, NH 03581, USA
- Saco Lake and Elephant Head Trail, Twin Mountain
AllTrails/Odessa Fraser-Lamphere This 0.7 mile round trip trail takes you to a stunning viewpoint that shows off Crawford Notch State Park. Elephant Head Trail, Carroll, NH 03575, USA
- Chesterfield Gorge State Wayside Trail
AllTrails/Matthew Person This 0.6 mile hike will take you along a beautiful gorge on a well-maintained trail – it’s a very relaxing walk. Start planning your visit by reading more about Chesterfield Gorge. Chesterfield Gorge State Wayside (park and ride), 1807-1817 Franklin Pierce Hwy, Spofford, NH 03462, USA
- Thorne Pond Trail, Bartlett
AllTrails/Ed Kenney This one-mile loop trail takes you around a lovely little pond. If you have a dog, this is a great place to walk it! So read more about Thorne Pond Trail, then grab your kids and dog, and give it a try! Thorne Pond Conservation Area, Bartlett, NH, USA
Do you have a favorite short hike that you think is one of the best hikes in New Hampshire? Let us know below!
AllTrails/Eric Ruffin
This hike is only 0.7 miles round-trip, and it offers the most stunning views of fields and mountains. In the summer, you’ll find blueberry bushes ripe for picking along the trail! Learn more about Pitcher Mountain Trail, and then check it out.
Pitcher Mountain, Stoddard, NH 03464, USA
AllTrails/Josh Kraus
This 0.4 mile round-trip hike will take you to a gorgeous waterfall and basin – no mountain climbing required. It’s one of the most scenic hikes in New Hampshire. Read more about Glen Ellis Falls Trail, and then grab the whole family and give it a go.
Glen Ellis Falls, Jackson, NH 03846, USA
AllTrails/Ashley Turner
This one-mile round trip hike will take you past a beautiful gorge and to a lake, and is stunning all through the summer and fall. It is one of the most lovely easy hikes in New Hampshire, so put it on your list.
Rocky Gorge Scenic Area, Kancamagus Hwy, Albany, NH 03818, USA
AllTrails/Bryn Davis
This 0.8 mile loop trail offers some of the most stunning views you can find in the Granite State – there’s something just plain otherworldly about Echo Lake. Read more about Echo Lake Trail, and then grab your gear and hike it.
Echo Lake Road, Echo Lake Rd, Conway, NH 03860, USA
AllTrails/Maggie Jividen
This rocky trail will take you to a dramatic viewpoint – you might even be able to watch some rock climbers in action. This is truly one of the best hikes in New Hampshire. So learn more about Square Ledge, then head on over.
AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, 361 NH-16, Gorham, NH 03581, USA
AllTrails/Odessa Fraser-Lamphere
This 0.7 mile round trip trail takes you to a stunning viewpoint that shows off Crawford Notch State Park.
Elephant Head Trail, Carroll, NH 03575, USA
AllTrails/Matthew Person
This 0.6 mile hike will take you along a beautiful gorge on a well-maintained trail – it’s a very relaxing walk. Start planning your visit by reading more about Chesterfield Gorge.
Chesterfield Gorge State Wayside (park and ride), 1807-1817 Franklin Pierce Hwy, Spofford, NH 03462, USA
AllTrails/Ed Kenney
This one-mile loop trail takes you around a lovely little pond. If you have a dog, this is a great place to walk it! So read more about Thorne Pond Trail, then grab your kids and dog, and give it a try!
Thorne Pond Conservation Area, Bartlett, NH, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in New Hampshire April 22, 2022 Jessica Bohl What are some scenic hikes in New Hampshire? New Hampshire is a great state for hiking because there is such a variety of landscapes and terrain that are not only fun to hike, but lovely to behold. There are mountains, beaches, lakes, forests, and more. The Granite State has it all! Be sure to check out the Lockes Hill Trail in Granite. From the top, you get an amazing view of Lake Winnipesaukee. The looped trail is about 1.8 miles long and doesn’t have a huge elevation gain, so it’s a good option for hikers of all levels. Plan your visit by reading more about this trail and other scenic hikes in New Hampshire. What are some waterfall hikes in New Hampshire? There is no shortage of waterfall hikes in New Hampshire. But a really great waterfall that is often overlooked is Gonic Trails in Rochester. Access the falls via a 1.2-mile loop trail that is perfect for small children. When you get to the falls, there are plenty of places to sit and relax. So pack a picnic and prepare to dip your toes in the water. It is a lovely way to spend a day!
The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in New Hampshire
April 22, 2022
Jessica Bohl
What are some scenic hikes in New Hampshire? New Hampshire is a great state for hiking because there is such a variety of landscapes and terrain that are not only fun to hike, but lovely to behold. There are mountains, beaches, lakes, forests, and more. The Granite State has it all! Be sure to check out the Lockes Hill Trail in Granite. From the top, you get an amazing view of Lake Winnipesaukee. The looped trail is about 1.8 miles long and doesn’t have a huge elevation gain, so it’s a good option for hikers of all levels. Plan your visit by reading more about this trail and other scenic hikes in New Hampshire. What are some waterfall hikes in New Hampshire? There is no shortage of waterfall hikes in New Hampshire. But a really great waterfall that is often overlooked is Gonic Trails in Rochester. Access the falls via a 1.2-mile loop trail that is perfect for small children. When you get to the falls, there are plenty of places to sit and relax. So pack a picnic and prepare to dip your toes in the water. It is a lovely way to spend a day!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
New Hampshire is a great state for hiking because there is such a variety of landscapes and terrain that are not only fun to hike, but lovely to behold. There are mountains, beaches, lakes, forests, and more. The Granite State has it all! Be sure to check out the Lockes Hill Trail in Granite. From the top, you get an amazing view of Lake Winnipesaukee. The looped trail is about 1.8 miles long and doesn’t have a huge elevation gain, so it’s a good option for hikers of all levels. Plan your visit by reading more about this trail and other scenic hikes in New Hampshire.
What are some waterfall hikes in New Hampshire?
There is no shortage of waterfall hikes in New Hampshire. But a really great waterfall that is often overlooked is Gonic Trails in Rochester. Access the falls via a 1.2-mile loop trail that is perfect for small children. When you get to the falls, there are plenty of places to sit and relax. So pack a picnic and prepare to dip your toes in the water. It is a lovely way to spend a day!
