Overview
New Hampshire’s White Mountains are home to the most beautiful and impressive alpine terrain in the Northeast and the northern end of the famed Appalachian Trail. Trekking the White Mountains brings you the best of Northeast hiking with comfortable huts and expert guides! They are also home to the amazingly spectacular hut-to-hut treks. There are also many White Mountain Guide books and maps that can be purchased online. Many of the best white mountain guided trip providers offer all-inclusive -gear, reservations, meals, gourmet picnic lunches, hot drinks - on the trail where guests enjoy the best of Northeast hiking.
Additionally, it
is particularly important to remember that this is a mountain region, subject
to swift weather changes. So, hiking even for a short distance, you must wear
appropriate rubber shoes, not leather-soled shoes which tend to be slicky.
Likewise, bring an extra sweater or jacket. For your benefit, it is a good idea
to bring snacks or lunch, and water on the following treks.
The Franconia Ridge Loop
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| The Franconia Ridge Loop |
The Franconia Ridge Loop is situated at the Franconia Notch State Park, 50 miles west of North Conway. It is an 8.3-mile loop. The level of difficulty is Intermediate/difficult. This is a rugged route but with a stunning trail to Mount Lafayette. In the rugged Franconia range, activities such as fly-fishing on Profile Lake, boating, and swimming on Echo Lake, and camping in developed sites are available. Also, here is an aerial tramway to the 4,080-foot summit of Cannon Mountain. Franconia is one of the most activity-concentrated, family-friendly recreation areas in the White Mountains.
From the parking lot just off I-93, you take the Old Bridle
Path for around 1.5 miles to arrive at an overlook on the ridgeline. The trail
from here ascends toward Mount Lafayette. However, the ridgeline gets steeper
as you hike. There are quite a few rocky outcroppings with fantastic views,
great for resting all along the way. Three miles into the climb, you will
arrive at the Greenleaf
Hut. Here you can take a precious break and fill up your water bottles.
After the needed break, head east along the steep Greenleaf Trail as it begins
to pop out of the trees. This trail is rugged. You will climb over talus and
rocky steps leading to the summit of Mount Lafayette.
Descending, take a right turn onto the Franconia Ridge
Trail. This trail follows the rocky ridge as it is making its way past Lincoln
Peak and Little Haystack Mountain. Along this 2-mile-long stretch are
breathtaking views of the White Mountains. On the top of Little Haystack
Mountain, take a right turn onto Falling Waters Trail, which literally drops
into the woods via a steep track. After a mile onto the trail, you arrive at
Dry Brook, which is usually flowing despite its name. Continuing, you will pass
several waterfalls along the way. The trail crisscrosses the river several
times and here the rocks can be slippery, so use caution. As soon as the trail
swings away from the water, you will know you are near the end. Cross Walter
Brook to rejoin the Old Bridle Path to head back to the trailhead.
Dogs: Leashed
The Arethusa Falls Out and Back Hiking Trail
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| The Arethusa Falls Out and Back Hiking Trail |
The Arethusa Falls Out and Back hiking trail are located at Jackson, about 19 miles northwest of North Conway. This moderate 2.9-mile round-trip trail takes you to the tallest waterfall in the White Mountains. The level of difficulty is easy/intermediate. This is a pleasant but adventurous hike to the falls, especially for families. The Arethusa Falls Trail goes along with blue blazes as it breezes above Bemis Brook. There are two parking areas for this hike. Get a spot in the upper lot if you can. Otherwise, parking in the lower lot will only add a short distance to your hike.
The first 0.6 miles (about 1 km) of the trail are fairly steep
and rocky. The hike only gets easier for the next mile or so after passing the
junction with Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail. At the intersection, stay to the
left going to Arethusa Falls Trail. The trail climbs some steep steps before
dropping down back to the falls. On some pleasant days, this area can get
crowded. But anyhow, as one of the tallest waterfalls in the state, it is
perfectly worth the short trek. Going back for something like a mile along the
main trail, take a right turn to follow Bemis Brook Trail for a different
return route. This route descends in the direction of the water edge. It then
follows the brook past Coliseum Falls, Bemis Falls, and Fawn Pool before
returning to Arethusa Falls Trail. Just a short distance from the trailhead.
Dogs: Leashed
The Diana’s Bath Out and Back
The trail will bring you to the Moat Mountain Trail system,
heading west along the wide, dirt, and gravel path to Diana’s Bath.
Diana’s Bath is just like a short afternoon hike. This Diana’s Bath Out and
Back trail are located 2.5 miles northwest of North Conway. It is just a
1.1-mile round-trip. The level of difficulty is easy. This trail is best for
families considering relaxing by the water with nature. And while the southerly
portion of the trail is a little exhausting, the 0.6 miles it takes to reach
this cascade are mellow and accessible to all abilities. This makes the hike
one of the most popular in the region. Along the route, there are benches for
pit stops if one prefers to take the time. Their easy accessibility, the
braided streams, plunges, pools, and natural slides that makeup Diana’s Bath
are a blast to explore. This is despite the inevitable crowds.
But please take note that though they can be beautiful and
refreshing during much of the year, if the water is high, the pools and
cascades can be dangerous. So, make your judgment before jumping in.
Dogs: Leashed
The Lower Ammonoosuc River Falls Trail
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| The Lower Ammonoosuc River Falls Trail |
The Lower Ammonoosuc River Falls trail is wide and easy, thus making it a great option for families and hikers of all abilities. It is located on the northwestern edge of White Mountain National Forest. It is considered an easy route; it takes just an average of 32 minutes to complete a 2.4-mile up and back. The level of difficulty is easy. The naturally, water-carved steps of the 40-foot-tall Lower Ammonoosuc River Falls are another gorgeous destination perfect for a quick family excursion. You can find the falls in a cove of rocks where the water has carved out a pool that is popular for swimming and fishing. The trailhead is just past the entrance to the Zealand Campground, a convenient place to post up in the area. Even though the route is mellow, it does climb slightly on its way to the cascades. Pack a picnic if you can.
Dogs: Leashed
The Welch-Dickey Mountain Loop
This 4.2-mile Welch-Dickey Mountain loop is in the southern
portion of the White Mountain National Forest. It is a remote hike to two
White Mountain summits. The level of difficulty is Intermediate/difficult. This
loop is not as busy as some other trails in the region. At the trailhead, take
a right turn to follow the trail counterclockwise through the deciduous forest.
After about a mile mark, the route turns south to climb toward the ridge where
you will pop out of the thick forest onto a rocky outcrop with views of the Mad
River directly below. The trail here gets steep at times. You should be extra
careful of slippery terrain, especially in wet weather. At the Welch Mountain
summit, the trail dips into a saddle before climbing to the top of Dickey
Mountain. At this point, the stunning views of the Welch, Sandwich, and Tecumseh
mountains that surround it, traverse the upper rim of the bowl. It then drops
down through the rocky outcrops on the western side of the ravine. The last leg
of the trail follows the ridgeline down through the forest before ending back
at the trailhead.
Dogs: Leashed
Please see Trekking The New Hampshire’s White Mountains 2 for more adventures in the backwoods and yet enjoyable.
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