Access to amazing hiking is one of the best things about living in New Hampshire. But sometimes, it can feel like such a huge commitment, lots of effort, and too much time to hike — especially if you’re bringing along your family. The best hikes in New Hampshire are short enough that you’ll have plenty of time and energy left in your day once you’re done, but they’ll still reward you with amazing scenery.
- The Flume Trail, Franconia Notch State Park
Flickr/Patrick Breen Take this 1.8-mile loop trail to see the Flume Gorge waterfall. It’s well worth the walk! This hike is located within Franconia Notch State Park in Lincoln. The Flume, Lincoln, NH 03251, USA
- Pitcher Mountain, Stoddard
Flickr/Glass_House The entire loop up and down Pitcher Mountain is only 0.7 miles! That makes it one of the shortest up-and-down hikes we know. It’s especially gorgeous when the wildflowers are blooming. This small mountain is located right outside of Stoddard. Pitcher Mountain Trailhead, 2190 NH-123, Stoddard, NH 03464, USA
- Ripley Falls, Crawford Notch State Park
Flickr/Jessle Hodge If you’re a waterfall lover, this is another great one for you. This 1.2-mile out-and-back trail in Crawford Notch State Park doesn’t ever get too steep. Ripley Falls, Hart’s Location, NH 03812, USA
- Pack Monadnock, Miller State Park
Flickr/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Not to be confused with Mount Monadnock, this smaller mountain in Peterborough can be climbed up and down in under 3 miles, depending on the trail you take. Check out Miller State Park for more information about hiking here. Pack Monadnock, Peterborough, NH 03458, USA
- Diana’s Baths, North Conway
Flickr/Erica Gennaro This 1.3-mile loop hike is popular for its gorgeous creek and waterfall views. Diana’s Baths, 3725 West Side Rd, Bartlett, NH 03812, USA
- West Rattlesnake Mountain, Holderness
Flickr/Ben Ferenchak This 2-mile hike will reward you with absolutely stunning views of Squam Lake. Get ready for one of the most scenic hikes in New Hampshire. Learn more about West Rattlesnake Mountain on AllTrails. West Rattlesnake Mountain, Center Sandwich, NH 03227, USA
- Black Cap Trail, North Conway
AllTrails/John Best This 2.5-mile out-and-back trail offers fantastic views of the Presidential Range. It also blooms with beautiful wildflowers. Don’t forget your camera with this one! Black Cap Trail Head, 44°04'06.5"N 71°04'18.5"W, Center Conway, NH 03813, USA
- Echo Lake Trail, North Conway
AllTrails/Audra Carter This 0.9-mile loop trail will take you right along a lovely beach. Hike it on a hot day and jump in to cool off! Echo Lake Trail, North Conway, NH 03860, USA
Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just looking to get in a little nature, you’re sure to love these options. Lace up those boots!
Flickr/Patrick Breen
Take this 1.8-mile loop trail to see the Flume Gorge waterfall. It’s well worth the walk! This hike is located within Franconia Notch State Park in Lincoln.
The Flume, Lincoln, NH 03251, USA
Flickr/Glass_House
The entire loop up and down Pitcher Mountain is only 0.7 miles! That makes it one of the shortest up-and-down hikes we know. It’s especially gorgeous when the wildflowers are blooming. This small mountain is located right outside of Stoddard.
Pitcher Mountain Trailhead, 2190 NH-123, Stoddard, NH 03464, USA
Flickr/Jessle Hodge
If you’re a waterfall lover, this is another great one for you. This 1.2-mile out-and-back trail in Crawford Notch State Park doesn’t ever get too steep.
Ripley Falls, Hart’s Location, NH 03812, USA
Flickr/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Not to be confused with Mount Monadnock, this smaller mountain in Peterborough can be climbed up and down in under 3 miles, depending on the trail you take. Check out Miller State Park for more information about hiking here.
Pack Monadnock, Peterborough, NH 03458, USA
Flickr/Erica Gennaro
This 1.3-mile loop hike is popular for its gorgeous creek and waterfall views.
Diana’s Baths, 3725 West Side Rd, Bartlett, NH 03812, USA
Flickr/Ben Ferenchak
This 2-mile hike will reward you with absolutely stunning views of Squam Lake. Get ready for one of the most scenic hikes in New Hampshire. Learn more about West Rattlesnake Mountain on AllTrails.
West Rattlesnake Mountain, Center Sandwich, NH 03227, USA
AllTrails/John Best
This 2.5-mile out-and-back trail offers fantastic views of the Presidential Range. It also blooms with beautiful wildflowers. Don’t forget your camera with this one!
Black Cap Trail Head, 44°04'06.5"N 71°04'18.5"W, Center Conway, NH 03813, USA
AllTrails/Audra Carter
This 0.9-mile loop trail will take you right along a lovely beach. Hike it on a hot day and jump in to cool off!
Echo Lake Trail, North Conway, NH 03860, USA
If you’re interested in finding more kid-friendly hikes around New Hampshire, then check out this list we created of 8 easy hikes in New Hampshire that are all under 1 mile.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in New Hampshire April 05, 2022 Luke What are the best outdoor adventures in New Hampshire? New Hampshire is one of the best states in the U.S. for outdoor activities and adventures. You could hike a mountain, explore the wilderness on a mountain bike, canoe down the Connecticut River, and so much more. Here’s our list of the best outdoor adventures in New Hampshire: 1) Take in Beaver Brook Falls; 2) Hike to the top of Mount Washington; 3) Road trip along the Kancamagus Highway; 4) Check out the lower falls in Albany; 5) Go whale watching on the coastline. We think that it’s definitely time for an adventure! What are the best road trips in New Hampshire? You cannot go wrong with just getting in the car and driving through the pristine and scenic state of New Hampshire. There are so many lovely little towns and endless state parks and forests to visit, but here’s our shortened list of the best road trips in New Hampshire: 1) The Kancamagus Scenic Byway; 2) Auto Road up to Mt. Washington; 3; New Hampshire 153. What are the most beautiful hikes in New Hampshire? With large, expansive wilderness and quaint towns, New Hampshire is a great destination for every hiker. Whether you prefer short-and-sweet hikes or long, but rewarding treks, you’ll find something that fits your fancy in New Hampshire. If you are searching for some of the most beautiful hikes in the state, you must consider the Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop, Mount Willard Trail, Flume Gorge Trail, Mount Major and Brook Trail Loop, and Lonesome Lake Trail. We could add so many more, but these trails are excellent places to start.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in New Hampshire
April 05, 2022
Luke
What are the best outdoor adventures in New Hampshire? New Hampshire is one of the best states in the U.S. for outdoor activities and adventures. You could hike a mountain, explore the wilderness on a mountain bike, canoe down the Connecticut River, and so much more. Here’s our list of the best outdoor adventures in New Hampshire: 1) Take in Beaver Brook Falls; 2) Hike to the top of Mount Washington; 3) Road trip along the Kancamagus Highway; 4) Check out the lower falls in Albany; 5) Go whale watching on the coastline. We think that it’s definitely time for an adventure! What are the best road trips in New Hampshire? You cannot go wrong with just getting in the car and driving through the pristine and scenic state of New Hampshire. There are so many lovely little towns and endless state parks and forests to visit, but here’s our shortened list of the best road trips in New Hampshire: 1) The Kancamagus Scenic Byway; 2) Auto Road up to Mt. Washington; 3; New Hampshire 153. What are the most beautiful hikes in New Hampshire? With large, expansive wilderness and quaint towns, New Hampshire is a great destination for every hiker. Whether you prefer short-and-sweet hikes or long, but rewarding treks, you’ll find something that fits your fancy in New Hampshire. If you are searching for some of the most beautiful hikes in the state, you must consider the Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop, Mount Willard Trail, Flume Gorge Trail, Mount Major and Brook Trail Loop, and Lonesome Lake Trail. We could add so many more, but these trails are excellent places to start.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
New Hampshire is one of the best states in the U.S. for outdoor activities and adventures. You could hike a mountain, explore the wilderness on a mountain bike, canoe down the Connecticut River, and so much more. Here’s our list of the best outdoor adventures in New Hampshire: 1) Take in Beaver Brook Falls; 2) Hike to the top of Mount Washington; 3) Road trip along the Kancamagus Highway; 4) Check out the lower falls in Albany; 5) Go whale watching on the coastline. We think that it’s definitely time for an adventure!
What are the best road trips in New Hampshire?
You cannot go wrong with just getting in the car and driving through the pristine and scenic state of New Hampshire. There are so many lovely little towns and endless state parks and forests to visit, but here’s our shortened list of the best road trips in New Hampshire: 1) The Kancamagus Scenic Byway; 2) Auto Road up to Mt. Washington; 3; New Hampshire 153.
What are the most beautiful hikes in New Hampshire?
With large, expansive wilderness and quaint towns, New Hampshire is a great destination for every hiker. Whether you prefer short-and-sweet hikes or long, but rewarding treks, you’ll find something that fits your fancy in New Hampshire. If you are searching for some of the most beautiful hikes in the state, you must consider the Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop, Mount Willard Trail, Flume Gorge Trail, Mount Major and Brook Trail Loop, and Lonesome Lake Trail. We could add so many more, but these trails are excellent places to start.
