Explore New Hampshire S Appalachian Trail At This Beautiful State Park

Hiking the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire doesn’t have to mean setting off on a multi-month outdoor adventure. There are plenty of opportunities to explore one of America’s favorite trails by taking a “section hike.” These shorter routes are often done out of sequence by people who’d like to experience the trail but don’t have the time or desire to take five to seven months out of the year to do it. You can find a challenging, but beautiful section hike in Franconia Notch State Park.

Hiking the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire is a great way to enjoy nature and a section of it passes right through Franconia Notch State Park in the White Mountain National Forest.

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Nature lovers can visit the park for a variety of hikes, ranging from beginner trails to those best suited for experienced hikers.

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But those seeking more of a challenge will want to start near the Lafayette Campground in the park.

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Section hikers will pass some of the most beautiful peaks in the White Mountains along this portion of the AT, including Mount Lafayette which comes into sight first.

Caroline Edmund / alltrails.com

The elevation gain throughout this 15-mile hike is more than 6,500 feet so you’ll want to be sure you’ve got some solid hiking experience before taking this on. It’s also a good idea to plan on splitting up the trip by camping overnight.

Dylan Barnes / alltrails.com

The route continues and provides views of Mount Garfield, South Twin Mountain, Mount Guyot, and Mount Zealand.

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Franconia Notch State Park is filled with beauty and you’ll find some of the best (and most challenging!) views on this section of the trail.

Christian Collins / Flickr

The Appalachian Trail section found within Franconia Notch State Park is about 15 miles and can be done any time of year, but most hikers say it’s best between May and October. This is also when you’ll find it most busy. The route is considered hard so be sure you’re up for the challenge before setting off on this 10+ hour hike. Always tell someone where you’ll be and when you expect to be back. You can find more information about the park including operating hours and any entry fees by checking out the official New Hampshire State Park website.