We’ve made it through an excruciatingly long winter — and through mud season — and it’s finally time to get back out there on the trails. Spring is a beautiful time to hike — it’s not too hot yet, the flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and we’re all just so excited to be back outside without twelve layers of clothing. Of course, we’re not all in hiking shape after months indoors, so we’ve compiled some hikes that are just plain gorgeous but not too strenuous. Time to take those boots out of storage and check out the best hikes in New Hampshire!
1. West Rattlesnake Mountain, Holderness
Odessa Fraser-Lamphere This hike is less than two miles round-trip, and it gives you absolutely stunning views of Squam Lake. It’s rare to get this kind of reward for this little effort! West Rattlesnake Mountain, Center Sandwich, NH 03227, USA
2. Mount Kearsage, Warner
AllTrails/Olivia B The 2.5 mile trail that’ll take you up and down Mount Kearsage has the most amazing springtime blooms – you’ll absolutely adore it. Mount Kearsarge, Mt Kearsarge, Warner, NH 03278, USA
3. Mount Major, Alton Bay
AllTrails/Heather Rush Another hike with stunning lake views, this one will take you to an amazing overlook of Lake Winnepesaukee on a loop that’s just under 4 miles. The wildflowers on this trail are incredible! Mount Major, Mt Major, Alton, NH 03810, USA
4. Lonesome Lake Trail, Lincoln
AllTrails/Lily McCabe This trail, just over 3 miles, rewards you with stunning views of mountains and lakes – the reflections will stun you. Lonesome Lake, Lincoln, NH 03580, USA
5. Pack Monadnock, Peterborough
AllTrails/Lacey Reynolds This 3-mile round-trip climb is perfect for the whole family, and offers up gorgeous views of the neighboring Mt. Monadnock. Pack Monadnock Mountain, Peterborough, NH 03458, USA
6. Sugarloaf Mountain, Bethlehem
AllTrails/Mary Ann Benson This 3-mile out and back trail has wonderful views, and it’s not typically too crowded. This is a great hike for families with dogs! Sugarloaf Mountain, Jefferson, NH 03583, USA
7. Arethusa Falls, Bartlett
AllTrails/John Best Looking for a hike with an amazing reward at the end? How about hiking to see a stunning waterfall? It’s just over 2.5 miles to get to and from the falls, and it’s well worth the effort. Arethusa Falls Trailhead Parking, Arethusa Falls Rd, Hart’s Location, NH 03812, USA
Looking for an even more dramatic adventure? How about visiting a campsite only accessible by boat?
Odessa Fraser-Lamphere
This hike is less than two miles round-trip, and it gives you absolutely stunning views of Squam Lake. It’s rare to get this kind of reward for this little effort!
West Rattlesnake Mountain, Center Sandwich, NH 03227, USA
AllTrails/Olivia B
The 2.5 mile trail that’ll take you up and down Mount Kearsage has the most amazing springtime blooms – you’ll absolutely adore it.
Mount Kearsarge, Mt Kearsarge, Warner, NH 03278, USA
AllTrails/Heather Rush
Another hike with stunning lake views, this one will take you to an amazing overlook of Lake Winnepesaukee on a loop that’s just under 4 miles. The wildflowers on this trail are incredible!
Mount Major, Mt Major, Alton, NH 03810, USA
AllTrails/Lily McCabe
This trail, just over 3 miles, rewards you with stunning views of mountains and lakes – the reflections will stun you.
Lonesome Lake, Lincoln, NH 03580, USA
AllTrails/Lacey Reynolds
This 3-mile round-trip climb is perfect for the whole family, and offers up gorgeous views of the neighboring Mt. Monadnock.
Pack Monadnock Mountain, Peterborough, NH 03458, USA
AllTrails/Mary Ann Benson
This 3-mile out and back trail has wonderful views, and it’s not typically too crowded. This is a great hike for families with dogs!
Sugarloaf Mountain, Jefferson, NH 03583, USA
AllTrails/John Best
Looking for a hike with an amazing reward at the end? How about hiking to see a stunning waterfall? It’s just over 2.5 miles to get to and from the falls, and it’s well worth the effort.
Arethusa Falls Trailhead Parking, Arethusa Falls Rd, Hart’s Location, NH 03812, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In New Hampshire March 30, 2022 SKS What are the best kid-friendly hikes around New Hampshire? Sometimes your favorite hike is a little too much for the kids. If you are looking for some of the best kid-friendly hikes around New Hampshire, we are here to help. Arethusa Falls Arethusa Falls is sure to be a big hit with your entire group. Located in Crawford Notch State Park, this hike is only 1.4 miles to reach the falls. Once there, you and the kids will love walking around and exploring the base of the falls before heading back on your 1.4 mile return. Mount Kearsarge If you are looking for a mountain to hike, Mount Kearsarge is a great choice for a kid-friendly hike. Found in Rollins State Park, this 1 mile trail bring you in a loop to the top of Mount Kearsarge. From the top, you will get incredible views of the surrounding forest and hills, and there is a large flat area to relax if you want to bring snacks to enjoy at the top of the mountain. Lonesome Lake Lonesome Lake can also be found in Franconia Notch State Park and provides for a different type of hike than Mount Kearsarge or Arethusa Falls. This trail is just over 3 miles, and brings you out to Lonesome Lake, before taking you around the entire lake. This hike is a popular one throughout the year, with plenty of people hiking here in the warmer months and snowshoeing here in the colder months. Zealand Falls If you are looking for another kid-friendly waterfall hike, Zealand Falls is the way to go. This hike is almost 5.5 miles, so is a bit longer, but for kids who like hiking, they will definitely enjoy this one. Following the Zealand Hut Trail will take you to a 25 foot waterfall, across footbridges, and to lakes making for a memorable outing.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In New Hampshire
March 30, 2022
SKS
What are the best kid-friendly hikes around New Hampshire? Sometimes your favorite hike is a little too much for the kids. If you are looking for some of the best kid-friendly hikes around New Hampshire, we are here to help. Arethusa Falls Arethusa Falls is sure to be a big hit with your entire group. Located in Crawford Notch State Park, this hike is only 1.4 miles to reach the falls. Once there, you and the kids will love walking around and exploring the base of the falls before heading back on your 1.4 mile return. Mount Kearsarge If you are looking for a mountain to hike, Mount Kearsarge is a great choice for a kid-friendly hike. Found in Rollins State Park, this 1 mile trail bring you in a loop to the top of Mount Kearsarge. From the top, you will get incredible views of the surrounding forest and hills, and there is a large flat area to relax if you want to bring snacks to enjoy at the top of the mountain. Lonesome Lake Lonesome Lake can also be found in Franconia Notch State Park and provides for a different type of hike than Mount Kearsarge or Arethusa Falls. This trail is just over 3 miles, and brings you out to Lonesome Lake, before taking you around the entire lake. This hike is a popular one throughout the year, with plenty of people hiking here in the warmer months and snowshoeing here in the colder months. Zealand Falls If you are looking for another kid-friendly waterfall hike, Zealand Falls is the way to go. This hike is almost 5.5 miles, so is a bit longer, but for kids who like hiking, they will definitely enjoy this one. Following the Zealand Hut Trail will take you to a 25 foot waterfall, across footbridges, and to lakes making for a memorable outing.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Sometimes your favorite hike is a little too much for the kids. If you are looking for some of the best kid-friendly hikes around New Hampshire, we are here to help.
Arethusa Falls
Arethusa Falls is sure to be a big hit with your entire group. Located in Crawford Notch State Park, this hike is only 1.4 miles to reach the falls. Once there, you and the kids will love walking around and exploring the base of the falls before heading back on your 1.4 mile return.
Mount Kearsarge
If you are looking for a mountain to hike, Mount Kearsarge is a great choice for a kid-friendly hike. Found in Rollins State Park, this 1 mile trail bring you in a loop to the top of Mount Kearsarge. From the top, you will get incredible views of the surrounding forest and hills, and there is a large flat area to relax if you want to bring snacks to enjoy at the top of the mountain.
Lonesome Lake
Lonesome Lake can also be found in Franconia Notch State Park and provides for a different type of hike than Mount Kearsarge or Arethusa Falls. This trail is just over 3 miles, and brings you out to Lonesome Lake, before taking you around the entire lake. This hike is a popular one throughout the year, with plenty of people hiking here in the warmer months and snowshoeing here in the colder months.
Zealand Falls
If you are looking for another kid-friendly waterfall hike, Zealand Falls is the way to go. This hike is almost 5.5 miles, so is a bit longer, but for kids who like hiking, they will definitely enjoy this one. Following the Zealand Hut Trail will take you to a 25 foot waterfall, across footbridges, and to lakes making for a memorable outing.
