A Day Trip to the White Mountains
My Favorite easy, moderate, and hard day hikes in the White Mountains of New Hampshire
Last weekend, we headed north to New Hampshire for the weekend and left the baby with the grandparents to spend a day in the woods on what I think is one of the best day-trip hiking trails in the White Mountains - Georgiana and Harvard Falls. We travel to New Hampshire often and love hiking, but this was my first moderate-hard hike since having Aiden and it felt so amazing to get into the woods in one of my favorite places. I’ve traveled all over the world but there is just something so magical about hiking in the White Mountains.
There are many great options for a day trip to go hiking in New Hampshire so I thought it would be fun to write about my favorite easy, moderate, and hard hikes in the White Mountains.
Easy Hike in the White Mountains
Life feels so still and peaceful in the Lincoln Woods!
Lincoln Woods Trail: If you want to get into nature for a lovely stroll through the woods, this is the trail for you. There is a slight uphill on the way out, but nothing too crazy. No bouldering or steep climbs and the path is very wide as it’s an old rail bed (you can still see some of the spikes in the ground - which I have learned the hard way a few times tripping over them while trail running. Learn from my mistake, pay attention to the ground under your feet! ). This is a great hike in New Hampshire with kids (through the baby in a backpack carrier and off you go!) or a perfect trail for a beginner trail runner (like me!). The trail follows the river with many other trails leading from it if you want to explore a bit. It goes for 9 miles so you can make it as long or short as you’d like. Last winter, we took our dog, Tucker, on this hike and learned that Tucker won’t cross icy suspension bridges. Cue my husband carrying a 60-pound pitbull across an icy bridge! Heads up, there is no cell service and the parking is cash only on the honor system.
Moderate Hikes in the White Mountains
Georgiana and Harvard Falls: This is one of my favorite hikes in the White Mountains. It is an out-and-back (more like an up-and-down) that follows a stream with more waterfalls than you can count. I’d call it moderate-hard as there is a rock scramble in the middle and some pretty steep areas at the top. It is only about 3 miles round trip but don’t let that fool you! Your calves will be sore tomorrow. Pro tip: keep going when you reach the big waterfall at the top. It looks like the trail ends, but you can loop around the little gully and get above the waterfall. I made this mistake the first time I did this trail but the second time, my husband and I hiked up the back side (which is a super boring hike, don’t recommend at all) and we came across the swimming holes at the top accidentally. It’s way more fun getting to jump in the water (though be prepared - it’s cold, mountain run off so I didn’t make it into the water this time around)! Bring your water shoes (these are my favorite as they double as both hiking shoes and water shoes)!
Lonesome Lake: Is there anything more peaceful than a hidden lake up a mountain!? I think not. The hike up is beautiful with gorgeous waterfalls and cool climbs along the way. And at the top of your hike, you are treated to the most beautiful lake surrounded by mountain peaks. There is also an AMC hut at the top so you can use the bathroom, replenish your water, and if you’re lucky, snag a fresh baked cookie. Take your time at the lake - there is a boardwalk that goes all the way around. This hike is about 6 miles roundtrip. There are a couple of ways to get there, but I recommend taking the Cascade Trail for the best views on the way up. If you are feeling really adventurous, continue on to North and South Kinsman, but be prepared - that is a challenging, all-day hike! The first time I did this hike with Tucker, we had to hop from boulder to boulder on a river crossing and we learned that he is obsessed with my friend Taylor - the second her feet left the ground, he jumped into the river thinking she needed saving. She didn’t - but we did have to go fish him out of the river!
Hard Hike in the White Mountains
Mt. Lafayette: This is my favorite hike in the White Mountains. It is hard and takes all day but it is so worth it. We did this in the summer so we had lots of sunlight. I recommend taking the Falling Waters Trail up and Old Bridle down. Falling Waters is aptly named for the waterfalls on the way up and I just don’t think you would get the same magical experience coming down it instead. We did this as a loop trail so also summited Little Haystack and Lincoln. We brought Tucker on this hike also and spent the whole hike “giving him a break” every time we needed to catch our breath (he, of course, had boundless energy and loved every second of it). If you bring your dog, I highly recommend having something like this dog lift harness with you in case of injury. There are a lot of rocky parts of this hike where your dog can get hurt. Better safe than sorry!
And of course, what hike would be complete without a stop at a local brewery on the way home!? There is nothing I love more than popping into The Woodstock Inn Brewey for a 4,000 Footer IPA after a hard hike (or a day skiing, or a day laying around in a pond - really, this brewery is just a great way to end a day in the White Mountains).
I hope you get to enjoy a day hike in the White Mountains as much as I do!