After living in Colorado with the Rockies as our playground, life back on the East Coast was starting to feel a whole lot flatter in more ways than one. A wise friend had warned that when mountain-withdrawal symptoms starting kicking in (and they surely would…), a trip to New Hampshire’s White Mountains would be the perfect fix. As predicted, it wasn’t long before we found ourselves fleeing north to the Whites (thank you humidity) with few expectations and a 4-day getaway on the books. The rest is a beautiful blur. From the vibrant Fall foliage, charming mountain towns and stunning hiking trails, the White M’s stole our hearts, lifted our spirits and introduced us to mountain life in the Eastern US.
Here are some of our top White Mountains hiking recommendations and general tips for planning your trip:
When to Visit
The White Mountains offer something for all nature lovers, but the optimal time to visit will depend on the experience you’re looking to have. If colors are your thing (I’m looking at you, leaf-peepers), then visiting from late September to Mid-October is the prime time to hit the Whites. We ventured to New Hampshire in early September just as the leaves were beginning to change color, which made for breathtaking views and perfect hiking weather. For skiers and Winter sports enthusiasts, January through early-March is the optimal season for you. With an abundance of cozy ski lodges in the area and plush snow covering the mountains, visiting during the Wintertime is paradise for downhill and cross-country skiers. Springtime is short with warm days and cool nights, and the Summer months are particularly ideal for families as resorts, theme parks, zip lining and other kid-friendly activities are up and running with temperatures ranging from the 70’s to mid-80’s.
Where to Stay
When it comes to accommodations, there are many nearby mountain towns with easy access to the Whites. We chose to stay in the peaceful town of Lincoln at The Lodge At Lincoln Station, a basic accommodation that met our needs perfectly (Eat. Sleep. Hike). The room was small but clean, with a compact kitchenette - perfect for budget travelers on the go and the lodge is conveniently located near shops, restaurants and wineries. However, if you’re looking for something more up-scale, highly-rated resort style accommodations in Lincoln include The RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain and the InnSeason Resorts Pollard Brook. Other nearby towns to consider are Franconia, Jackson and our personal favorite, the idyllic town of Littleton (great beer, hipster vibes and stunning river views…need I say more?). There is also an abundance of beautiful campgrounds in and around White Mountain National Forrest that are open during the summer months and can be reserved in advance here.
Our Favorite White Mountain Hikes
8.6 Mile Loop Trail rated Hard on All Trails
This was hands down the best trail we did in the Whites and one of my all-time favorites. We’d recommend getting to the trailhead early as the lot fills up fast. Located in Franconia Notch State Park, this hike traverses Mount Lafayette, Mount Lincoln, and Little Haystack and as it’s a loop trail, it can be done from either side. We started on the Little Haystack side with the Falling Waters Trail, which features some beautiful waterfalls and a steep 2.5 mile ascent up to Haystack’s summit. From the top of Little Haystack you’ll get dramatic 360-degree views of the presidential mountain range and the other surrounding White Mountain ranges. Next is the Knife’s Edge (my favorite part), a 1.5 mile stretch above the tree-line where you traverse the 3 summits. The panoramic views from this rocky ridge are breathtaking and have left a strong imprint in my mind. Take note that while some parts of this ridge trail are quite wide, other areas have sharp
drop-offs and strong winds. The final descent from the summit of Mount Lafayette, comes at Old Bridle Path which features a steep decline through lush greenery. On the way down you’ll pass The Green Hut, a cabin where many hikers stop to unwind and use the bathrooms and water fill station.
1.5 Mile Loop Trail rated Easy to Moderate
This popular trail located in Franconia Notch State Park should take between 1-2 hours to complete and offers sweeping views of Echo Lake, Franconia Notch and Cannon Mountain. About a quarter mile in before reaching Artist’s Bluff Point, you’ll see a sign pointing left to a short, but steep climb to the summit of Bald Mountain (this offshoot is optional, but well worth it for the views). The hike ends at Artist’s Bluff point, a great spot for lunch or to watch the sunset before looping back down to the trailhead.
4.3 Mile Loop Trail rated Hard on All Trails
With its sweeping mountain-views and jutting granite rock faces, this trail was our favorite spot to experience the Fall foliage in full force. The hike takes between 2-4 hours to complete depending on your pace and time spent enjoying the scenery. While the trail is pretty straightforward, there are some areas with steep granite ledges and places that require scrambling up boulders on all fours, but the juice is worth the squeeze. Highlights include summiting two mountains, Welch and Dicky (hence the name). We especially loved the views at the transverse between the two summits and walking down the granite rock face on the way down from Dicky Mountain.
7.8 Mile Trail rated Hard on All Trails
Hiking to the summit of Mount Washington is a popular trail and major draw for visitors to the White Mountains. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to the summit this trip due to weather, however in the words of Arnold Swartzenager, “we’ll be back.” The weather at Mount Washington can be temperamental and quite dangerous (harsh winds, rain and fog), so be prepared to adjust your plans if need be. There are many routes available, but the most popular route starts with the Tuckerman Ravine Trail and then back down the same route or via the Boot Spur Trail. While the the climb to the top is not for the faint of heart, the summit views of the White mountain range are said to be absolutely stunning and well worth the journey.
3.1 Mile Loop Trail rated Moderate on All Trails
This trail starts on an ascent from Lafayette Place Campground and grows steeper as you make your way up through the forrest. While it’s only 1.6 miles to the lake, the trail transitions from wooden steps to switchbacks and and finally stones and boulders until leveling off. At the end you’ll reach the serene Lonesome Lake surrounded by greenery and stunning views of Mount Lafayette from the lakeshore. From the lake you can choose to extend your hike as the trail connects to a number or other trails, or you can follow the shore to enjoy the scenery and loop back down.
4.7 Mile Trail rated Moderate on All Trails
This out and back trail starts with the Tuckerman Ravine Trail up to Hermit Lake, a stunning basin with views of Mount Washington (it can also be connected to the Boot Spur Trail to complete a loop). Here you will also find the Hermit Lake Shelters, a springboard for other activities such as skiing and rock-climbing and is equipped with camping spots, drinking water and toilets. Many trekkers carry on from here to the summit of Mount Washington (our mission for next time), but from Hermit Lake we continued onto Boot Spur Trail where we enjoyed some of our favorite views of the Fall foliage before turning back down Tuckerman Ravine.
2.2 Miles Loop Trail rated Easy on All Trails
We chose to skip this trail due to the admission fee, but Flume Gorge is one of the top trails in the White Mountains and is great for families and those looking for and easy and accessible trail with gorgeous views. Highlights include waterfalls, covered bridges, boardwalks for easy access and scenic mountain views. As mentioned, online reservations are required for this hike and cannot be made in person.
Food and Other Activities:
Aside from hiking, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy in and around the White Mountains. In Lincoln, we loved kicking back and sampling wines at the Seven Birches Winery after a long day on the trails. Other spots to sample the local wines in the area include Atrium Wine Bar, White Mountain Winery and Whippletree Winery. In terms of restaurants, our favorite spot was The Common Man a cozy American style bar and grill which also offers a good vegetarian selection. We also really enjoyed our meal at Thai 9 (also a good spot for vegetarians) and heard good things about the Gypsy Cafe and Black Mountain Burger.
We spent one afternoon visiting the town of Littleton and fell in love with the charming main street and picturesque river walk. We’ve already decided that on our next trip, this is where we’ll be staying. We loved visiting Shilling Beer Co., a barn-style brewery sitting right on the river offering laid back vibes and great beer and snacks. Littleton’s historic main street is lined with antique, vintage and boutique shops - in a nutshell, its lovely AF.
While the lives of Beardz and I tend to primarily revolve around food, other options for those with more diverse interests can explore the amusement parks and spas or engage in other activities such as riding the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway - a cable car that brings visitors to the to summit of Cannon Mountain - or flying through the tree tops on a Zip-lining Canopy tour.
Our time visiting the Whites was brief, but magical and we hope this post serves as a
guide to navigating the area and planning your own White Mountain escapades.
As always, reach out with any questions or to share your own White Mountain experiences - we will certainly be back and want ALL the tips!
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