9/29/2020 0 Comments

7 Scenic New Hampshire Hikes to Take This Fall

While it’s always sad to see summer come to an end, I can’t help but get excited for cooler air and ultimate hiking conditions. Although hiking is fun in all seasons, there’s something about that first fall ascent that hits differently. Being from Massachusetts, I’m fortunate enough to be only a couple of hours from some of the most beautiful mountain ranges and hikes in New England. Below, you’ll find a guide to 7 scenic New Hampshire hikes, ranging from beginner to advanced, how to prepare, and where to indulge afterward.

Beginner

The Flume Gorge is a place you can enjoy in both the warm and cold months. In the warmer months, water flows over the high granite walls, creating mini waterfalls. In the winter months, that water freezes, turning the gorge into a frozen wonderland. The snowy paths and hidden caves make for a great afternoon adventure. There is also a red bridge that stretches over the Pemigewasset River, the red color being a beautiful contrast to the snow-covered trail.

Wide shot of The Flume Gorge

Although I wouldn’t necessarily consider this 2-mile loop a “hike”, it was so gorge-ous that I feel everyone should experience it. If you’re interested in winter hiking/trail walking, I highly suggest purchasing crampons to combat the ice. They make a huge difference and make you feel invincible. The ones I use are pretty basic but work well for beginner to moderate trails. You can find them here. If you’re taking on a more challenging icy path, I would suggest a more spiked bottom, like the ones linked here.

Click for Crampons

Another reason I love to hike this area is the short drive to one of my favorite NH breweries, Schilling Beer Co. Located in Littleton, NH, this brewpub overlooks the Ammonoosuc River and provides local meats and cheeses, and wood-fired pizza that is impossible to resist.

Flight at Schilling Beer Co.

Schilling Beer Co.

Cathedral Ledge

Another beginner-level NH hike to enjoy after a night spent in North Conway is Cathedral Ledge. With a 1,159 ft. summit, this is a popular hiking and rock-climbing spot and overlooks Mount Washington Valley. The flat area at the summit allows for a leisurely picnic and photos of the scenic views before making your way back down the trail.

Cathedral Ledge Summit

Wine Tasting at White Mountain Winery

As a post-hike reward, a fun place to treat yourself is at White Mountain Winery. This family owned winery makes all of their wines in house and consistently introduces new varieties to their collection. Make sure to give the house dogs, Lucy and Stella, lots of love while you’re there.

White Mountain Winery

West Rattlesnake Mountain, located in Holderness, NH, is an easy but rewarding hike. The total loop being 2 miles, it only takes about 40 minutes to get to the top. Once you reach the summit, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the Squam Lake, perfect for photo ops. If you want to extend your hike, you can add East Rattlesnake Mountain to your trip. This is a great hike for all experience levels when you don’t have an entire day to devote to a trail.

West Rattlesnake Summit

moderate

Next is one of my most hiked mountains, Mount Major, located in Alton, NH, overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee. This is a very popular and highly trafficked, moderate hike, with many trail options. It’s an 8.3 mile total loop with gorgeous views of the lake and forest.

Mount Major Summit

Click for Backpack Link

While I’ve hiked this mountain during different seasons, my favorite time of year to experience Mount Major is in the Fall. The view of the changing foliage from the summit is breathtaking and the colors are unforgettable.

A post-hike tradition of mine is to stop into a local restaurant for a burger and a beer. One sunny fall day after our hike, we stopped at Shibley's at the Pier for lunch. We sat on their back deck and enjoyed the view of Lake Winnipesaukee and the activity on the water. We ordered the Reuben Egg Rolls to start and I indulged in the Fire House Cheeseburger for my entrée. Needless to say, I counteracted all of my earlier activities when ordering a burger covered in ghost pepper cheese, chipotle mayo, and jalapenos, but it was worth it. Definitely a must-try if you’re a spicy-food lover like me.

View from Shibley's back deck

I recently hiked this next Mountain and it quickly landed a spot on my top favorites. Mount Monadnock, known to be one of the most hiked mountains in the world, is a steep climb in southern New Hampshire with views for miles. Make sure to pace yourself because, although the trail may be less than 4 miles, the incline will have you out of breath in a hurry.

What I liked most about this hike was the rockface. Bouldering up the rock mixed things up nicely and created an additional challenge to our experience. If you’re planning this hike, make sure to pick a trail ahead of time and reserve a parking spot, as space is limited and you will not be admitted without one. You can reserve your spot here.

Mount Monadnock Summit

Beer Flight at Granite Roots

For our après hike beers, we found a local brewery in Troy, NH, called Granite Roots. It’s set on a family farm with a welcoming outdoor beer garden and live music. My favorite beer of theirs was the kettle sour, “Gose Well with Hiking” (a very fitting name). It was tart, refreshing, and full of fruit and spices grown right on their farm.

Also nearby, is a brewery I recently discovered called, Branch and Blade Brewing Company, in Keene, NH. They came to my attention after brewing a collaboration Double IPA, “Sultans of Citra”, with my favorite Massachusetts brewery, Channel Marker Brewing, located in Beverly, MA. All three of these mentioned breweries produce quality beer for in-house consumption and to-go. Definitely stop in if you’re around these areas and you won’t be disappointed!

Channel Marker Brewery

ADVANCED

Moving onto our “advanced” category, the first mountain I’d like to mention is Mount Chocorua, near Conway, NH. This loop is just under 10 miles and is challenging, combining a steady incline with bouldering once you get closer to the top and if you take the Champney Falls Trail, you’ll witness flowing waterfalls along the way. On a clear day, the 3,490 ft. summit overlooks the White Mountains, including the famous Mount Washington. The view is stunning and a perfect spot to rest and refuel with some lunch. Depending on your speed and the time of year, this hike takes several hours so make sure you’re starting early enough in the day to avoid hiking after dark.

Mount Chocorua Summit

Champney Falls

Mount Chocorua Summit

Last, but not least is a mountain that truly challenged me, Mount Washington. Located in Coos County, NH, this mountain is the highest peak in Northeastern Unites States, with a summit a 6,288 ft., and is known for its erratic weather. There are many different trails to take while on this adventure, Tuckerman Ravine and Lion Head Trail being two popular ones. Some trails are longer than others, while some are steeper and more difficult.

Split Rock on Boott Spur Trail

Mount Washington Climb

Mount Washington Summit

We took Tuckerman to Lion Head on the way up and Boott Spur Trail for our descent. It was an intense combination of substantial incline, wooded paths, waterfalls, and bouldering on all fours. All of these factors made for an exhilarating but strenuous hike. We were lucky enough to have a beautiful, clear day once we reached the summit and could enjoy views of picturesque mountain ranges for miles.

While hiking Mount Washington, I’d advise starting your journey in the early morning, as it can take up to 9+ hours depending on weather, endurance, and which trails you take.

Lake of the Clouds

Being in the Conway area for the two previously mentioned hikes, a go-to restaurant for me is Delaney’s Hole in the Wall. They have a wide variety of options from burgers and pub food to sushi and salads, plus a great list of local beers. A very satisfying way to end a day of fresh air, nature, and calorie burning.

NOTE:

Don’t forget to pack a lunch, snacks, and plenty of water when hiking. Make sure to dress in layers, especially when hiking the larger peaks as the weather can quickly change as you get closer to the summit. I’ve included a list below of gear I have found necessary for most of the hikes I’ve explored.