The White Mountains of New Hampshire offer some of the most spectacular hiking experiences in the Northeastern United States. And while the elevation of many of these mountains is not nearly as high as some of the other more “bucket-list” peaks of the Western United States, they are just as challenging and rewarding any time of the year.

The White Mountains region is most famous for its wilderness, with rugged peaks and mountains like Mount Washington and Mount Adams. Hikers from all over the east coast (including ourselves) look forward to the Spring, Summer and Fall months when we can bag another 4,000 or 5,000 footer for our trophy bank. The hiking and exploring of this vast landscape is endless and it is a true playground for any outdoor or nature enthusiast.

Whether you are an experienced hiker or just a beginner, there is a trail in the White Mountains that will suit your level of expertise. In this blog post, we will highlight some of our favorite hikes in the White Mountains, ranging from easier to moderate and more difficult.

Here's our list of our top five favorite hikes in the White Mountains (Part 1)

**This is Part 1 of a series of three different blog posts, ranking a total of our favorite 15 hikes in the White Mountains. These are just the first five.

Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliffs

Elevation: 1,637 ft elevation gain | Distance: 4.9 miles

We start our journey in the Crawford Notch region of the Whites. The parking lot to the trail is about 25 minutes from the nearest town of North Conway. So if you’re staying in town or just outside, it’s a very convenient day hike given the distance. This hike is a great option for those looking for a less strenuous hike with stunning views. Most of the hikes here require some level of athletic stamina, so it is certainly not a flat hike the entire way, but it is still easy enough for most day hikers. The 4.9 mile there and back trail will take you through the woods, along the river to the base of the Arethusa Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in New Hampshire, and then to the top of Frankenstein Cliff, which offers incredible views of the surrounding wilderness. Give yourself at least half a day to enjoy the full hike and take some time to have lunch or just take in the views from Frankenstein Cliffs. If you are crunched for time or running low on energy you can just take the Arethusa Falls trail via Bemis Brooke. This just takes you to the falls and back which is still a great option. Either way, try and get to the trailhead early! The crowds, especially on the weekends here are no joke. And to fully enjoy lunch and some peace and quiet at the falls, it’s best to go before lunchtime.

Mount Willard

Elevation: 2,865 ft elevation gain | Distance: 3.1 miles

Only a few miles further north on Crawford Notch is a favorite hike of everyone in the Whites and that is Mount Willard. Willard gives you the best views for your time on the trail. It is a shorter hike compared to the others on this list, but don’t let the length fool you, it’s a workout and a knee burner the entire way up. We’ve hiked this trail too many times to count, and every time it’s a slight struggle getting going but the reward at the top is always worth it. Our favorite time to hike Willard is in the Fall as you get the most spectacular view of the notch and surrounding valley below. The dense forest floor from above looks like a pack of colorful skittles if you hit it at peak foliage (around late September - mid October). The hike is a moderate hike with a round trip distance of about 3.1 miles and almost 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Once again, this is a very popular hike in the Fall so if you want to avoid the crowds, we’d suggest getting there early or even trying it in the Winter time using micro spikes on your boots. It’s a beautiful hike as well when it’s covered in snow and the plus in going off season is you avoid the massive crowds in peak season. Regardless of when you choose to hike it, if there is one hike on this list that everyone could and should do, it’s Mount Willard.

Mount Chocorua

Elevation: 3,490 ft elevation gain | Distance: 8.5 miles

If you are looking to check off another 4,000 footer, you’ll be disappointed to find out that Mount Chocorua is just under the threshold at 3,490 feet of elevation. But man oh man, this hike stacks up to one of the best we’ve ever done! The parking for the trailhead is along the Kancamagus Highway, one of the most scenic roads on the east coast. Because of this, during high season (April - October) the parking lot can fill up very quickly. So make sure to arrive early if you want a spot in the lot and if you want a quieter, less populated hike on the way up. Mount Chocorua is a moderate hike that offers incredible views of the surrounding wilderness. The summit offers panoramic views of the White Mountains, and the trail will take you through dense forests, along scenic streams and over rocky outcrops until you get above tree line. The entire loop is approximately 8.5 miles long and is definitely meant to be a full day hike. Even if you are a seasoned and faster hiker, it’s nice to just leisurely relax and enjoy the stunning views at the top before rushing back down. This is one that should not be missed if your stamina and abilities allow it!

Mount Lafayette + Franconia Ridge Loop

Elevation: 3,795 ft elevation gain | Distance: 8.1 miles

The Franconia Ridge Loop is a classic White Mountains hike that offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Depending on where in the White Mountains you are staying this hike may be a bit of further drive for the day. We typically stay outside of Crawford Notch, but for those coming from Boston, the Franconia Notch is more convenient and has plenty of epic day hiking. We completed this loop hike last Fall and it was absolutely spectacular! But be warned and extremely cautious…this trail follows extremely rugged, exposed, and difficult terrain. And the one very unpredictable factor in the White Mountains is the severe weather in any season. You may face winter conditions in September such as high winds, below freezing temperatures and low visibility fog (as you can see in the photo above). Always come prepared with layers, enough food and water and never hike this trail alone. In the event of an emergency it is crucial to have someone else hiking with you to get help or help you down the mountain. But extreme factors aside we love this loop and there is a reason it is one of our top five on this list. The loop is approximately 8.9 miles long and takes you over three 4,000 foot peaks along the way: Little Haystack Mountain, Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette. There is also an AMC hut at the top of the ridge to take a load off, grab a hot bowl of soup or coffee and recharge before heading down the mountain. The trail is definitely a more moderate to difficult hike, but it is very doable over the course of a full day. Once you get above tree line and reach the top of the ridge, the views practically take your breath away. On a clear day you have a full 360 degree view of the surrounding valley and all of the pain of the hike up was absolutely worth it!

Mount Washington

Ammonoosuck Ravine Trail

Elevation: 3,812 ft elevation gain | Distance: 8.2 miles

Tuckermans Ravine Trail

Elevation: 4,242 ft elevation gain | Distance: 7.4 miles

For many people traveling to the White Mountains, Mount Washington is the reason to visit. It is the largest peak in the Northeast, coming in at an elevation of 6,288 feet, the tallest of all of the peaks on this list. What makes Mount Washington so unique and a bucket-list hike for enthusiasts is the unpredictablilty of the weather conditions all year round. The Observatory at the top of the Auto Road has actually recorded wind speeds of up to 120mph, which has been logged as some of the most extreme conditions in the entire world! That is a mind-blowing stat, and for hikers it’s a challenge to summit Mount Washington given those external factors.

The hike itself can be completed in a number of different ways and is generally around 6 - 7 miles round trip. We’ve hiked Mount Washington a number of times and each time we’ve started at the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trailhead. However the most popular and more challenging trailhead is in Pinkham Notch at The Tuckermans Ravine trailhead. This trail is considered difficult for any hiker and is a 7.4 mile out and back hike. If you are looking for a challenge and a bucket list experience to the top of Mount Washington, this is the way to do it. This climb requires the proper gear and adequate preparation the night before. We never hike Mount Washington without at least 3 liters of water, and a variety of energy rich snacks and food for lunch. If you choose to hike to the top and lose the energy and stamina to get back to down, there is always the option of having someone drive to the top of the Auto Road and take you back down the mountain. But the adrenaline of bagging one of the east coasts pinnacle mountains, should be enough to keep you going for that rewarding beer at the end of the trail. It probably seems obvious, but this hike is an all day event. And unlike some of the off-season hikes, Mount Washington should be done in the Spring, Summer or early Fall months with ample daylight to complete the journey. Whichever route you decide, this is a lifer hike and one that we strongly encourage you do at least once in your life. The views from the summit are absolutely breathtaking and on clear day, you can see as far as the Atlantic Ocean.

Below is a little recap video of our experience up the mountain, on a crystal clear day in the Spring!

In Conclusion…Come to the White Mountains

The White Mountains of New Hampshire offer some of the most stunning hiking experiences in the Northeastern United States. Every year we make it back up to this region atleast three of four times, which has given us ample time over the years to hike different trails during different seasons. And although these are our favorite five hikes, there are countless others that are equally beautiful, challenging and rewarding and we encourage you to go out and explore them on your own! But as a final precautionary note, please always be prepared for the unexpected elements. Pack plenty of water on all of your day hikes and make sure you research the weather patterns at least a few hours before you hit the trail, you never know what could happen in the Whites!

Whether you are an experienced hiker or a beginner, there is a trail in this region that will suit your level of expertise. From the rugged peaks of Mount Washington to the stunning vistas of Franconia Ridge, the White Mountains offer something for everyone. So, pack your gear, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in one of the most beautiful regions in the country.