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New Hampshire

Looking for the best hiking in New Hampshire? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around New Hampshire. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near New Hampshire

  • Crawford Notch Road, New Hampshire

    Snowshoe Mount Pierce

    6.4 mi / 2500 ft gain
    The hike begins right across from the AMC Highland Center, which is great because you can utilize their spacious parking lot! Once you locate the trailhead, the elevation begins almost immediately. Begin on the Crawford Connector Trail for 0.4 miles.You will come to a foot bridge over Gibbs Brook...
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  • Franconia, New Hampshire

    Winter Hike up Mount Lafayette

    9 mi / 3900 ft gain
    To start this hike, you can park right at the trailhead in a parking lot off of 93. This is a hike up a mountain so the entire hike is pretty challenging. There is a total elevation gain of 3900 feet in about 4.5 miles. A couple miles in you break through the treeline and then from there the view...
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  • Lincoln, New Hampshire

    Summit Mount Hancock and South Hancock

    9.8 mi / 2220 ft gain
    The Hancock trailhead is located at the infamous hairpin turn of the Kancamagus Highway in the White Mountains. The trail itself crosses the road and starts at 2000 feet of elevation on the Hancock Notch trail. It remains fairly flat for the first 3 miles of the trail. After 1.8 miles you will hi...
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  • Gorham, New Hampshire

    Hike the Imp Face Trail

    6.1 mi / 2080 ft gain
    Start a few miles north of the Joe Dodge Lodge and Pinkham Notch. If starting in Gorham, the trailhead is 6-8 miles south and will be on the east side of the road. Starting at about 1000 ft, hike in about 5 miles and 5 miles back to beginning. Two routes back, both about the same distance.Startin...
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  • Jackson, New Hampshire

    Winter Ascent of Mt. Washington Via Lion Head Trail

    8 mi / 4200 ft gain
    Park at the Pinkham Notch visitor center off of Route 16, your stopping point for all things Tuckerman’s Ravine and Mt. Washington related. The ranger station is open year round and there is food and up to date weather conditions from the summit. There is also a locker room with showers available...
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  • Benton, New Hampshire

    Hike Mount Moosilauke via Beaver Brook Trail

    7.6 mi / 3150 ft gain
    The trailhead is located along Lost River Road.  There is a $5.00 day use parking pass required.   The trail starts off on the Beaver Brook Trail (also the Appalachian Trail).  The trail consists of cascades of rocks, wood-block steps and metal rungs (not all entirely in tact).  It is very often ...
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  • Lincoln, New Hampshire

    Franconia Brook Trail

    15.94 mi / 1122 ft gain
    The Franconia Brook Trail is a 16 mile out and back trail in White Mountain National Forest. The trail features a river, and is primarily used for hiking. This trail is also great for cross country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter. The trailhead is approximately eight miles from Thirteen Fall...
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  • Jefferson, New Hampshire

    Summit Mount Waumbek via the Starr King Trail

    5.0
    7.2 mi / 1500 ft gain
    The hike starts out at the Starr King trailhead because you will summit Starr King Mountain (3,907 ft - so close to being a 4000 footer!) before moving on to Waumbek. The 2.6 miles that it takes to get to the first summit are gradual and forgiving. The majority of the total elevation is completed...
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  • Crawford Notch Road, New Hampshire

    Hike the Tom, Field, Willey and Avalon Traverse

    10.2 mi / 3300 ft gain
    For hikers en route to climbing the 67 4,000 footers of Northern New England, or for those looking for a day-long mini-adventure, this four-peaks-in-one traverse is a spectacular must. Mount Tom, Mount Field, and Mount Willey are all above 4,000 feet, and Mount Avalon caps at 3,442 feet. The tota...
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  • Arethusa Falls Road, New Hampshire

    Snowshoe to Arethusa Falls via Bemis Brook Trail

    2.8 mi / 853 ft gain
    Arethusa Falls is a popular hike in the White Mountains, and come winter it is a popular spot for ice climbing. The falls are located in Crawford Notch State Park and is the tallest waterfall in New Hampshire (between 140-200 feet). Following the Bemis Brook Trail to Arethusa Falls will add a few...
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  • Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire

    Backpack the Pemi Loop

    5.0
    32 mi / 9000 ft gain
    This round trip loop is the combination of many trails within the Pemigewasset Wilderness. We chose to this hike up into a 3 day backpacking trip although we came across some particularly adventurous folks who were doing it in 2 and even 1 day. We also came across hikers less pressed for time who...
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  • Franconia, New Hampshire

    Winter Hike North Kinsman

    8 mi / 2500 ft gain
     Park at Lafayette Place right off of I-93. It is one of the most accessible trail heads to hit a “4,000 footer” in the White Mountains and has plenty parking. Signage is visible and easy to follow as you begin at 1,800 feet and walk through a wooded campground onto the Lonesome Lake Trail. The t...
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  • Crawford Notch Road, New Hampshire

    Snowshoe Mount Jackson

    5.2 mi / 2300 ft gain
    The hike starts across the street from the AMC Highland Center on route 302, which means there is plenty of parking and when you finish there is a fireplace and snacks to warm up with! It starts at the Webster Jackson trailhead and after 1.4 miles breaks off onto the Jackson trail. At that point ...
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  • Jefferson, New Hampshire

    Hike the Sugarloaf Trail

    3.3 mi / 1099 ft gain
    The Sugarloaf Trail begins at the Sugarloaf trailhead on Zealand Road off of US 302. There are two trails that begin at this trailhead--be sure to cross the bridge over the Ammonoosuc and look for the "Sugarloaf Trail" sign. The trail begins following the Ammonoosuc River for a short while before...
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  • Gorham, New Hampshire

    Snowshoe to Carter Notch Hut

    7.8 mi / 2200 ft gain
    The nineteen mile brook trail is a winding path up approximately 2200 feet of elevation over the course of 3.9 miles. That distance feels a lot farther when you are breaking trail in 18-24 inches of snow and you are carrying 35 lb packs on your backs.  Luckily we started out early and we able to ...
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  • Jackson Webster Trail, New Hampshire

    Hike Mount Jackson

    4.5 mi / 2109 ft gain
    The Jackson Webster trailhead is located on Crawford Notch Road a little ways down from the AMC Highland Center where they have bathrooms, food, a store, info, etc. There's a parking lot at the Center as well as a smaller lot right across from the trailhead. These lots often get filled up but you...
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