9 Best Hikes in New Hampshire to Try This Year

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to get out and about in the surrounding mountains, you’ve come to the right place. From the tallest peaks to the lowest lakes, we’ve assembled a collection of your eight favorite hikes to explore.

This is not a definitively ranked list because all the hikes you’ll find below are satisfying in their own ways. Still, if you ask us, they’re the best hikes in New Hampshire. But we’ll leave that up to you to decide.

No matter what, you’re in for stunning views, beautiful fall foliage, and unforgettable hiking trails that will stay with you forever.

Editor’s Note: I spend a lot of time hiking in the White Mountains, and this list does skew towards those mountains with which I am most familiar. There are thousands of gorgeous trails in the Granite State, and there are many regions outside of the White Mountains worth exploring.

TL;DR

Best Hikes in New Hampshire to Try This Year

1. Mount Willard: Best Fall Foliage Hike

Trailhead: Route 302W, Bretton Woods, NH 03575

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance (Round Trip): 3.1 mi

Elevation Gain: 895 ft

First up is a low-risk, high-reward mountain. Located five minutes from Crawford Notch State Park and a half hour from Franconia Notch, you’ll have access to all the nearby trails you could want.

When you arrive at the Mount Willard trailhead, hop out at the conveniently located parking area at Crawford Depot. This trek is a 3.1-mile round-trip journey, which grants you an estimated hike time of approximately two hours.

Despite the marked feet of elevation, Mount Willard is a little steep; the path is moderate, and the payoff is worth the walk. The best time to hike it is between May and October—during the latter month, the beautiful fall foliage is at its loveliest… although it may be busy.

The top of the mountain overlooks gorgeous panoramic views of the White Mountains and Crawford Notch. Naturally, this is a particularly popular trail for hiking, birding, as well as snowshoeing.

Nearby accommodation: Omni Bretton Arms Inn at Mount Washington Resort, Omni Mount Washington Resort

See Related: Best Running Trails in the U.S.

2. Lonesome Lake Trail: Best Hike for Casual Rock Scrambling

Trailhead: I-93 Franconia Notch State Park, Lincoln, NH 03580

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance (Round Trip): 3.0 mi

Elevation Gain: 1,030 ft

Lonesome Lake…