Hiking in New Hampshire is a great way to clear your head and take in the fresh air that we’re so lucky to have. From easy routes with little elevation to the trails that challenge us physically and mentally, there’s truly something for everyone. This year we’ve committed to getting out as much as possible. If you’re planning to do the same, check out this list of 12 hikes that will take you on a hiking adventure from January through December!
JANUARY: Odiorne Point State Park, Rye
Mark Bonica / Flickr Let’s start things off simply by taking a nice trip to one of the most lovely waterfront trails. The routes here are lovely and offer plenty of peace and quiet during the winter when most people don’t think about going to the beach! Check out more here!
FEBRUARY: Echo Lake State Park, Conway
blog.nhstateparks.org Next up is more winter here in New Hampshire. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still get outside. This beautiful state park offers plenty of trails to explore year round, but the winter means a level of peace and quiet we love. You can learn more about this beauty here!
MARCH: Mount Kearsarge, Warner
hbarrison / Flickr With winter raging on, about this time we’ll e looking for more ways to appreciate the outdoors. And Mount Kearsarge offers a fairly short trail of about two miles. You’ll find that it’s flat and easy to navigate and offers wonderful views of the Sunapee region. You can learn more about it here!
APRIL: Lonesome Lake Trail, Lincoln
Lily McCabe / alltrails.com Spring in New Hampshire has finally sprung and you’ll be eager to enjoy some of these warmer days. This 3-mile trail leads to plenty of beautiful views including the incredible lake with seriously lovely forest reflections. Learn more here.
MAY: Glen Ellis Falls Trail, Gorham
Ashleigh Ryan / alltrails.com The weather is finally becoming reliably warm and that means lots of outdoor fun. It also means that the waterfalls will be flowing with snowmelt, making this one a lovely destination. The trail is a simple 0.4 miles which makes it great for kids and beginner hikers. Check out more by clicking here.
JUNE: Bridal Veil Falls Trail, White Mountains National Forest
Felix Mesa / Alltrails.com While the waterfalls are flowing get out there and see more! June is a great time of year to enjoy the early-summer weather and appreciate the impressive flow of water. And, now that you’ve had a few month’s practice, you’ll be ready for a 4.8-mile route. The out and back trail takes you along a babbling brook and rewards you at the end with a stunning waterfall. Learn more about it here.
JULY: Mount Major, Alton Bay
Heather Rush / Alltrails.com There’s nothing like summer in New Hampshire and this beauty is a great trail for appreciating the season. The 4-mile loop trail leads to stunning lake views including an amazing overlook of Lake Winnipesaukee. And remember to take in the wildflowers on the trail. They’re incredible!
AUGUST: Pitcher Mountain, Stoddard
Rich Blanchard / alltrails.com This trail is a simple out and back leading through the woods. The entirety of the route is about a mile, one half each way. Be prepared for some lovely panoramas. And in August the wild blueberries will be out in full force! Learn more about it here!
SEPTEMBER: The Blair Bridge walk, Campton
Mk stone / Google Now that we’re easing into fall take a break by making this month’s hike more of a walk. There’s no better way to enjoy the oncoming fall colors than by walking across this bridge as they pop up on each of the surrounding trees. Learn all about the bridge and how to see it by clicking here.
OCTOBER: Lake of the Clouds Hike
BeardyGit / TripAdvisor For those looking for a truly spooky and challenging route, this is a great one for Halloween. It’s difficult, but arriving at the top for an overnight stay in the haunted AMC hut is perfect for this time of year. Learn more here.
NOVEMBER: South Pawtuckaway Mountain, Merrimack Valley
K. Brooke Zambroski / Google Head to Pawtuckaway State Park to access this relatively short hike of about 2.3-miles. The fall foliage should still be visible and it’s great for beginners as the elevation gain is only about 450-feet. Love being outside this time of year? Consider camping here, too! Learn more by checking out this article.
DECEMBER: Ellacoya State Park, Gilford
jrosset / Flickr The end of the year is here and that means enjoying some more calming days outside. We love visiting this park in the winter for peace and quiet as a nice way to reflect on the year and prepare for the next one. There are plenty of trails to explore so take your pick depending on just how much you want to see. And then, consider some other beautiful winter hiking destinations here.
What are some of your favorite hikes to try throughout the year? Let us know your picks in the comments so we can check them out! And if you’re looking for a bonus trail to tackle right now, we’ve got you covered. Exploring the trails of Prescott Farm is the perfect New Hampshire winter outing for beginners.
Mark Bonica / Flickr
Let’s start things off simply by taking a nice trip to one of the most lovely waterfront trails. The routes here are lovely and offer plenty of peace and quiet during the winter when most people don’t think about going to the beach! Check out more here!
blog.nhstateparks.org
Next up is more winter here in New Hampshire. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still get outside. This beautiful state park offers plenty of trails to explore year round, but the winter means a level of peace and quiet we love. You can learn more about this beauty here!
hbarrison / Flickr
With winter raging on, about this time we’ll e looking for more ways to appreciate the outdoors. And Mount Kearsarge offers a fairly short trail of about two miles. You’ll find that it’s flat and easy to navigate and offers wonderful views of the Sunapee region. You can learn more about it here!
Lily McCabe / alltrails.com
Spring in New Hampshire has finally sprung and you’ll be eager to enjoy some of these warmer days. This 3-mile trail leads to plenty of beautiful views including the incredible lake with seriously lovely forest reflections. Learn more here.
Ashleigh Ryan / alltrails.com
The weather is finally becoming reliably warm and that means lots of outdoor fun. It also means that the waterfalls will be flowing with snowmelt, making this one a lovely destination. The trail is a simple 0.4 miles which makes it great for kids and beginner hikers. Check out more by clicking here.
Felix Mesa / Alltrails.com
While the waterfalls are flowing get out there and see more! June is a great time of year to enjoy the early-summer weather and appreciate the impressive flow of water. And, now that you’ve had a few month’s practice, you’ll be ready for a 4.8-mile route. The out and back trail takes you along a babbling brook and rewards you at the end with a stunning waterfall. Learn more about it here.
Heather Rush / Alltrails.com
There’s nothing like summer in New Hampshire and this beauty is a great trail for appreciating the season. The 4-mile loop trail leads to stunning lake views including an amazing overlook of Lake Winnipesaukee. And remember to take in the wildflowers on the trail. They’re incredible!
Rich Blanchard / alltrails.com
This trail is a simple out and back leading through the woods. The entirety of the route is about a mile, one half each way. Be prepared for some lovely panoramas. And in August the wild blueberries will be out in full force! Learn more about it here!
Mk stone / Google
Now that we’re easing into fall take a break by making this month’s hike more of a walk. There’s no better way to enjoy the oncoming fall colors than by walking across this bridge as they pop up on each of the surrounding trees. Learn all about the bridge and how to see it by clicking here.
BeardyGit / TripAdvisor
For those looking for a truly spooky and challenging route, this is a great one for Halloween. It’s difficult, but arriving at the top for an overnight stay in the haunted AMC hut is perfect for this time of year. Learn more here.
K. Brooke Zambroski / Google
Head to Pawtuckaway State Park to access this relatively short hike of about 2.3-miles. The fall foliage should still be visible and it’s great for beginners as the elevation gain is only about 450-feet. Love being outside this time of year? Consider camping here, too! Learn more by checking out this article.
jrosset / Flickr
The end of the year is here and that means enjoying some more calming days outside. We love visiting this park in the winter for peace and quiet as a nice way to reflect on the year and prepare for the next one. There are plenty of trails to explore so take your pick depending on just how much you want to see. And then, consider some other beautiful winter hiking destinations here.
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Address: Odiorne Point State Park, 570 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870, USAAddress: Echo Lake State Park, 68 Echo Lake Rd, North Conway, NH 03860, USAAddress: Mount Kearsarge, Mt Kearsarge, Warner, NH 03278, USAAddress: Lonesome Lake Loop, Lincoln, NH 03580, USAAddress: Glen Ellis Falls, Jackson, NH 03846, USAAddress: Bridalveil Falls, Franconia, NH 03580, USAAddress: Mt Major Hwy, Alton, NH 03810, USAAddress: Pitcher Mountain, Stoddard, NH 03464, USAAddress: Blair Covered Bridge, Blair Rd, Campton, NH 03223, USAAddress: Lakes of the Clouds, Sargent’s Purchase, NH 03846, USAAddress: Pawtuckaway Mountains, Nottingham, NH 03290, USAAddress: Ellacoya State Park, 280 Scenic Dr, Gilford, NH 03249, USA
