Hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire

Three Top Trails to Take to See New England’s Best Fall Foliage

Oct 14, 2009

Fall brings clear skies, crisp air and jaw-dropping autumn foliage to northern New Hampshire. For some of the best views, take a hike in the White Mountains.

The White Mountains of New Hampshire has the state’s highest peaks, some 1,200 miles of hiking trails and almost 800,000 acres of national forest. The toughest part for outdoor enthusiasts is choosing what to do. But hikers won’t go wrong taking one of these top notch White Mountain trails, showcasing the region’s best fall foliage.

Hike the Great Gulf in the White Mountains

The lush Great Gulf trail follows the West Branch of the Peabody River through the Great Gulf Wilderness all the way to the summit of Mount Washington, about an eight-mile trek. For a shorter excursion, follow it about two or three miles in, to a set of pools and cascades along the river. This portion of the Great Gulf trail is gentle, wide, and well-worn., following an old logging road and passing giant boulders and granite outcroppings, with fine views of the mountains and Great Gulf Wilderness. There’s a fabulous camping site tucked into lofty ledges, about two to three miles or so in, perfect for watching the sun set across the forested mountains and shooting stars light up an ink-black sky. The trailhead is located off Route 16, about 1.5 miles south of the Dolly Copp Campground.

Hike to the top of Franconia Ridge for some of the finest views in the East, a 360-degree panorama of rolling mountains and forested valleys. Franconia Notch, Cannon Mountain and Kinsman Range lay to the west, and the lush Pemigewasset Wilderness stretches to the east. The open Franconia ridgeline runs north and south, decorated by the summits of Garfield, Lafayette, Lincoln, Little Haystack, Liberty and Flume.

It’s arguably the best loop hike in the White Mountains: a trip up the Old Bridle Path trail to the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Greenleaf Hut, Greenleaf trail to the summit of Mount Lafayette, then across Franconia Ridge, before descending on the Falling Waters trail. It’s about nine miles roundtrip, with 3,800 feet of elevation gain. That’s a lot of miles and elevation in a day but the rewards are immense. Much of this hike is spent above treeline, with sweeping vistas; also along the way, there are waterfalls, clear river pools, and fall-colored forest. Added bonus: about midway, there’s an AMC hut, a perfect place to rest, refill water bottles and pick up a fresh baked cookie or two.

One word of caution: because much of this hike is above treeline and exposed, it’s dangerous to do in stormy weather. Pay attention to the forecast and err on the side of caution. Also, some hikers prefer to do this loop hike in the opposite direction, finding the steep and often slippery Falling Waters trail easier to maneuver going up than down. The Greenleaf and Falling Waters trailheads are located off Franconia Notch Parkway, at the Lafayette Campground.

Perfect Day Hike in the White Mountains

Perfect for a half-day outing and easy-going enough for families, the popular Lonesome Lake trail leads to an isolated low mountain lake. The lake sits at 2,740 feet, tucked in a valley, with nice views of surrounding mountains, including the Franconia and Cannon mountain ranges. It’s a pretty walk in the woods, a steady but gentle climb that makes for a great short day’s outing. Or, book a stay overnight at the AMC Lonesome Lake Hut. The trail is well-marked, often hard packed, gaining about 1,000 feet in elevation, over moderate grades and gentle switchbacks. Begin by crossing over the Pemigewassett River on a footbridge. The trail travels through sparse hardwoods and pines, crossing a couple more small brooks.. At about a half-mile in, the trail begins a series of long switchbacks, gaining elevation until it reaches a plateau and descends to the shores of Lonesome Lake at 1.2 miles. The trailhead is located on the west side of Franconia Notch Parkway, across from the Lafayette Campground.

Of course, with more than 1,200 miles of trails, the White Mountains of New Hampshire offer plenty of additional hiking opportunities, but put these trails at the top of your to-do list.

The copyright of the article Hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in Hiking & Trails is owned by Pamela Wright. Permission to republish Hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.