New Hampshire Hiking and Backpacking Trips

Boston: Mount Monadnock

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
This 4.4-miler winds through mixed forest, ascends rock slabs, and climbs to an exposed summit with endless views of New England.

Appalachian Trail: Cape Moonshine Road to USFS 19

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Several reasons to explore this mostly forested 9.4-mile trip: Two shelters, countless springtime wildflowers, a lovely pond, and a summit bid on Mount Mist.

Concord: Mt. Flume via Flume Slide Trail

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Hike through Franconia Notch State Park's legendary birch forest before scrambling up the steep, polished, granite slabs of Mt. Flume on this 8.4-miler.

White Mountain National Forest: Mount Morgan & Mount Percival

BACKPACKER Review
This 4.7-mile loop in the Squam Lake region of the White Mountains ascends Mounts Morgan and Percival and challenges dayhikers with tight caves and boulder scrambles.

White Mountain National Forest: Mount Starr King and Mount Waumbek

BACKPACKER Review
Tag two summits in the Pliny Range (including a White Mountain 4,000-footer) on this moderate, 6.3-mile out-and-back.

White Mountain National Forest: Lonesome Lake Loop

BACKPACKER Review
Travel the rugged spines of Franconia and Kinsman Ridges on this 13.8-miler that offers five summits, numerous campsites, and unrivaled views.

~5mi loop route from AMC ski lodge, up Manning Trail to top of Firescrew. Mowglis Trail to Mt. Cardigan summit. Descended via Clark Trail to Holt-Clark Cutoff (avoided steepness as ground remained waterlogged from recent downpour), and back Holt Trail to AMC lodge.

Sandwich Mountain (via Algonquin)

Ascent of Sandwich Mtn via Algonquin is a worthwhile, but strenuous hike. Views on a clear day are astounding. Trail had *much* evidence of moose passage, but none seen. Attention should be paid on descent so as not to mistakenly detour via Black Mtn Pond Trail

Mount Washington

Wonderful day hike looping to the summit of Mount Washington. Ascended the less busy western slope starting from the trailhead near the cog railway and descended Gulfside and Jewel Trail.

Biking 9/17/2009 Sharon, VT to Moultonborough, NH

78 miles, mostly cloudy & cool until sun peeked through mid-afternoon. Busy roads but fairly decent shoulder off & on.

Old Bridle Loop/Franconia Ridge/Falling Waters

This is a wonderful hike that hits three 4,000 footers: Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Lincoln and Little Haystack

Mt. Hale

A beautiful and varied day hike to the 37th highest peak in New Hampshire.

Readers' Choice 2012: Top 3 - Northeast Hikes

BACKPACKER Review
The region's top map contributor—with 20 years of experience in the area—dishes tips for beating the crowds on her all-time favorite hikes.

Online Exclusive: Readers' Choice 2012: Lisa Densmore's Five Favorite Hikes in the Northeast

BACKPACKER Review
Five more must-do hikes from this region's top map contributor—with 20 years of experience in the area—dishes tips for beating the crowds on her all-time favorite hikes.

Perfect 10: North America's 10 Most Memorable Hikes

BACKPACKER Review
Ten trails. Ten unmatched miles each. Get maximum bang for each boot step on hikes that our most-traveled contributors call their all-time favorites.

Perfect 10: Free PDF Trip Planning Guides

BACKPACKER Review
We've picked the top 10 miles of North America's 10 most memorable hikes. Find your way to wilderness nirvana with these map and planning guides.

Backyard Everests: Mounts Webster and Jackson

BACKPACKER Review
Claim a rare feat on this classic-in-waiting loop.

Local Hikes: Northeast

BACKPACKER Review
Head out on one of these trails in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

Photo Gallery: Hut Keepers of New Hampshire's White Mountains

BACKPACKER Slideshow
Head to the White Mountains and meet the AMC hut keepers in this photo gallery. (Photos by Anne Skidmore)

Appalachian Trail Nature Photo Gallery

BACKPACKER Slideshow
Wildflowers, bugs, and other nature photographs shot by our map correspondent on the AT © Jeff Chow

AT Shelter Photo Gallery

BACKPACKER Slideshow
A few of the shelters and lean-tos found along the length of the Appalachian Trail © Jeff Chow

Panoramas of the Appalachian Trail

BACKPACKER Slideshow
A collection of five-star overlooks along the Appalachian Trail © Jeff Chow

AT Culture Photo Gallery

BACKPACKER Slideshow
Some of the faces and places our map contributor saw on the AT © Jeff Chow

AT Interview: Correspondent Jeff Chow

BACKPACKER Video
Jeff Chow spent 10 months mapping every mile of the AT for BACKPACKER. Learn about his favorite spots and hard-earned tips here.

Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.

Photos + Videos

Packing for a Backcountry Ski Day Kristin Hostetter shows you the essential gear, and how to pack it, for a day of backcountry skiing.	Adjust Your Pack Straps on the Trail Maximize your pack's comfort with a few easy, on-trail strap adjustments.

Life's Short, Hike More!

What makes a backpacker a backpacker? It's not the garage full of gear or piles of guidebooks--it's the experiences, from thru-hiking a long trail to pushing your personal envelope to inspiring a child's love of wilderness. Here we present BACKPACKER's new Life List: 10 experiences to add to your tick-listnow--and the key skills you need to nail them.