New Hampshire Trails

Find seasonal solitude close to home on this ideal backpack for winter beginners in New Hampshire's White Mountains.

Find quiet eastern forests and expansive vistas on this two-day, 21.8-mile trek through the Pemigewasset Wilderness.

This New Hampshire footpath— the oldest continuously maintained hiking trail in the country—is a rite of passage for anyone who cares about America’s history of preserving and exploring wild places.

The only thing better than hiking in one fall foliage hot spot? Hiking in two. Or three—or four. Use this itinerary to stage a road trip through New Hampshire’s White Mountains to reach the area’s most underrated treks for fall color.

Experience Mount Washington from bottom to top via one of the northeast’s most iconic trails on this 7.8-mile round trip.

Party attempted descent, called 911 due to slow progress

Popularity of series hasn't helped recruitment efforts

Cramps were the culprit, say officials

Check out BACKPACKER Editors & Contributors's author page.

Adventure resort in NH state park may be sold to private entity

Governor’s council challenges residents to exercise

Pair had no map, limited food, water

Actor Don Cheadle is segment's special guest

Bee documenters to descend on day-hiking destination

One group may face charges for rescue

All-natural repellent sold nationwide

Springtime means black bears are increasingly crossing paths with people

Experts say May, June, July are main tick months

Popular crossing slated for removal to preserve wilderness, but opinions are split.

White Mountains mainstay to get an overdue name change.

Saunders came face-to-face with killer Carl Drega

Ankle injury prompts emergency response

Construction will bring new services, restrooms, roads

Our expert shares his favorite day hike, backpacking trip, post-hike dinner and more.

Twenty-two-year-old fell while hiking with friends

White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

Forget the comfort zone. Let ambition be your guide.

Climb up 4,000 foot peaks for views of lakes, wildlife and the surrounding mountains of White Mountain National Forest, NH.

Get the story behind the Edmands Tour, Presidential Range, White Mountains, New Hampshire—and how to see it yourself.

Tips from our expert on exploring New England’s biggest alpine zone.

Get a sneak peak of fall on this overnight in the northern Whites, where the leaves change early.

This steep 7.8-mile hike climbs through deep forest and alpine tundra to the summit of one of New Hampshire's famed Presidentials for views as far as Maine.

Climb past cascading waterfalls, alongside rocky ledges, and over three exposed summits on this 7.8-mile loop, which offers some of the best views in the White Mountains.

This 7.3-mile loop hike takes you up a steep, rocky trail to an exposed, treeless summit that's the southwesternmost high peak in the White Mountains, and one of the prettiest.

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.

Follow this 9.9-mile loop past refreshing swimming holes and idyllic off-trail campsites to the evergreen shoreline of Kinsman Pond.

Hike 4.6 miles up the quieter, less-traveled west side on one of the mountain's oldest trails, alternating between forested scrambles, old streambeds, and exposed rock ledges.

This brisk out-and-back quickly climbs nearly 2,000 feet in 2.5 miles to a long ridgeline with views of the Whites and a breezy summit.

Climb nearly 4,000 vertical feet, scramble up rock ledges, explore a gorge, and summit two mountains on this 8.3-mile White Mountain adventure.

Bag two peaks while enjoying stunning views of Mt. Washington and Vermont's Green Mountains on this 10.3-mile horseshoe hike.

Go for two ragged 4,000-foot peaks in the pristine Pemigewasset Wilderness on this 14.2-mile backpacking loop.

This gentle 4.8-mile climb strings through the thick woods of Pawtuckaway State Park to a fire tower lookout with four-star mountaintop views.

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

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

Check off two 4,000-footers and walk the nation's oldest continuously maintained trail on this 7.4-mile horseshoe route in the rugged Presidential Range.

This 9.4-mile summit climb hooks around wooded slopes, past a cascading brook to a summit with fine views of the White Mountains.

Hit the shorelines of two mountain ponds on this not-so-tough 4.9-mile loop in New England's White Mountains.

Climb to the top of a rocky summit above island-dotted Lake Winnipesaukee on this popular 3.8-mile loop in the Belknap Mountains.

Explore a wild path that leads through quiet woods and over vista-packed summits.

On this 7.9-mile loop, you'll ascend Tuckerman Ravine and scramble up broad boulder fields to a well-earned summit overlook in the White Mountains.

The BACKPACKER map team along with the help of regional experts and cartographers plotted roads, cities, and airports--and the wilderness areas farthest away from them--to find the most remote locations in the Lower 48.

Trek past cascades and ponds to an unmaintained herd path up to Mount Nancy, a belt-notch for those looking to tag New England's Hundred Highest Peaks.

Bag 2 summits in a 4-hour day of New Hampshire climbing.

Climb a trio of peaks with bird’s eye views of the Presidentials on this 20-mile out-and-back in White Mountain National Forest.

Conquering two of New Hampshire's 4,000-foot summits, this 7-mile out-and-back ascends the spine of Mount Osceola before scrambling up a narrow rock passage to a Mount Washington overlook.

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.

One way hike to summit three 4,000 foot peaks along the Southern Presidentials

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

Click off two 2,500-plus foot peaks, sample from entry-level scrambling on granite slabs on this 3.8 mile loop.

Beeline up a 3,500 peak, and skirt slabby granite with views of New Hampshire's White Mountains and central New Hampshire's Lake Country.

Track over peaks named for American royalty on this monster 20.5-mile dayhike in the Whites.

Take this easy 3.8-mile loop for soaring views over one of New Hampshire's most famous lakes.

Ascend two White Mountain peaks on this 8.5-mile sneak route to the Appalachian Trail's best view in the state.

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

Looking for the top peakbagging trips in the Presidentials? With this Pro Bundle, get five handpicked hikes to well-earned vistas over the White Mountain Range.

Four days on New England's idyllic waterways. Is it enough to win a father's blessing for his daughter's new life?

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

Paddle to Maryland's Assateague Island; pack an ice axe for the Presidentials.

Few places serve up fierce, unpredictable winter weather quite like Mt. Washington, the 6,288-foot capstone of New Hampshire's White Mountains. Battle hurricane-force winds--and 20-plus feet of annual snowfall--while tackling the East's best mountaineering, or choose from hundreds of miles of snowy trails for a lower elevation romp.

Tag a team of the East's most challenging peaks in the White Mountains.

No one stays young forever, of course. Just don't tell the hut keepers in New Hampshire's White Mountains.

Never let your guard down on this deadly peak, where the weather–and spirits–are unpredictable.

It'll blow you away

Guy Waterman died near the summit of Mount Lafayette, a peak in the White Mountains in northern New Hampshire, on February 6.