Waterfalls Around NH
We have been busy exploring NH’s waterfalls. There are a lot more to discover but you have to start somewhere. We will add them as we discover them, let us know if there are any others you’d like us to cover.
Arethusa Falls
Walter/Newton Natural Area in Plymouth
1.6 mile loop easy/ family friendly
125 feet elevation gain
Small parking lot - free
No bathrooms
Dog friendly
Hike clockwise for the easy part first, could do this out and back for a real easy hike. It gets a little more challenging as you pass the waterfall & feels more like a hike rather than a walk in the woods like the first part, but nothing really hard. This hike is a hidden gem!! They have benches at the waterfall to stop and rest
Walter/Newton Natural Area
Bridesmaids Falls in Franconia Notch
1.1 mile total out & back
150 feet elevation gain
Very limited parking
Moderate/Some steep spots
No bathrooms
Dog friendly
Follow the GPS to the trailhead, there are no signs here. It is located in the Mittersill resort neighborhood by Cannon Mountain. The trail has blue blazes, sometimes blue and yellow sometimes blue and green. The trail can be narrow and single file most of the way.
Pro Tip: Push past the last water crossing for the best views.
Bridesmaid Falls Franconia Notch, NH
Georgiana Falls & Harvard Falls in North Woodstock
2.5 mile total out and back
More challenging/ advanced family friendly due to the steepness and lack of signage
Over 700 feet elevation gain
Parking is a small lot at the end of Hansen Farm road off route 3.
No bathrooms
Dog friendly (for an experience dog)
Start the hike around the fence, there are signs here and most of the trail will have red blazes. Not always easy to find the trail marking. Follow the Harvard Brook for most of the trail, it is beautiful. You will want to stop and take pictures for this entire hike. You get to lower Harvard falls first and then Upper Harvard Falls. The trail goes beyond the Upper Falls Trails, but we didn’t venture pass this part because of the dog, it looked tricky for her to be able to handle.
Lower Harvard Falls
Glen Ellis Falls Gorham NH
Located close to the Pinkham Notch visitor center.
Under 1 mile total out and back easy/ very family friendly all ages
130 feet elevation gain
Steps & handrails.
Charge to park -on season
Bathrooms at trailhead- on season
Dog Friendly
From the parking lot follow the trail under rt 16. The trail is crushed stone and then more of a stone path. You can have two options to view the 64 foot waterfall the upper and lower level. This is a run off from Ellis Falls from Mt Washington!
Glen Ellis Falls
Arethusa Falls Crawford Notch
Tallest waterfall in NH at 160 feet
Moderate hike
Bathroom at trailhead on season
2.8 Miles mostly out and back
885 feet of elevation gain
Dog Friendly
There are two parking lots here the lower lot if bigger and will give you a good way to warm up to the hike as it is at the bottom of the hill. You can take a little side trek on the way up to Arethusa Falls to see Bemis Falls. I suggest doing this way first as it is steep and going down this way (lesson learned by us) was a little tricky.
Pro Tip: hike in the spring after some rainy days
Arethusa Falls (me in the lower right corner I am 5’9” for scale reference)
Ripley Falls Crawford Notch
1 mile
Coincides with the Appalachian trail
No bathroom here
Easy/ moderate Family Friendly
Dog Friendly
308 feet of elevation gain
Start the hike by crossing the train tracks. Easy to follow path with some steep sections, nothing too challenging. Great short hike to do with the family can easily do on the same day as Arethusa Falls or together.
Ripley Falls
Best Family Hikes
Taking a family trip to New England and want to get out and hike? Check out the best hikes for each age group for your family.
Want to get the entire family into hiking? Not sure where to begin or who to trust with your hike plans? Look no further—we've got you covered!
White Mountains NH
Mt. Agamenticus in York, Maine
Perfect for all ages! If you have preschoolers or beginners, this is the best little mountain to start with. There are multiple trails, some longer and some shorter. The Ring Trail, when followed clockwise from the parking lot, features a seasonal story maintained by the Friends of Mt. A. The Ring Trail circles the mountain without reaching the summit, but several trails branching off lead to the top.
I personally love the Ring Trail not only for the story but also for the views and the old ski lift from when Mt. A had skiing. The trail is just under 2 miles, and the mountain's total elevation is 692 feet. The views from the top are beautiful—you can see the ocean and, on a clear day, well into the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Dogs on a leash are welcome, so bring the entire family! Plus, if you hit this one early in the day, you can finish with a bagel and iced chai from the Bagel Basket.
Mt A
Mt. Major in Alton, NH
We love this mountain and have so many fond memories of hiking it as a family with friends. Located not far from Gunstock, it was a perfect step up from Mt. A and still close to home, or at least our home.
There are a few trails here. The Boulder Loop Trail (marked with blue blazes) offers a more direct route to the summit. Alternatively, you can take the Mount Major Trail, which involves a good amount of rock climbing, or opt for the Brook Trail, which is a little longer but less steep. The overall elevation here is about 1,800 feet, and depending on the trail, your round-trip mileage will be approximately 3.1 miles with an elevation gain of over 1,100 feet.
This mountain is perfect for the entire family, including dogs on leashes! Elementary-age kids are the sweet spot here—it’s a great confidence-building hike.
Mt. Kearsarge in Warner, NH
The trailhead is located in Winslow State Park. This mountain is a bit more challenging than Mt. Major. The round-trip hike is about 3 miles but involves a steeper ascent.
We hiked the Winslow Trail up and the Barlow Trail down. The elevation gain is about 1,100 feet, and the mountain's overall elevation is just over 3,000 feet. The 360-degree views of the White Mountains and into Vermont are incredible.
The ascent is steep but just challenging enough for kids and dogs (on leash). At the summit, there is a fire tower (usually closed to the public) and a picnic table area. Keep in mind that there is a fee to enter the park. Perfect for older elementary kids and older.
Mt. Willard in Crawford Notch, NH
The Mount Willard Trail starts at Saco Lake by the old train station. This trail is about 3.1 miles round-trip with approximately 900 feet of elevation gain.
There are a few water crossings and some rocky terrain, but the trail is well-marked. The summit, at about 2,900 feet above sea level, offers a stunning, jaw-dropping view of the Crawford Notch area, including the beautiful Willey Mountain Range. If you time your hike right, you can even catch a glimpse of the scenic railroad train passing through the notch.
Fall can be very busy, but the views are stunning year-round. We prefer to avoid peak season to enjoy the trail without the crowds. We love this hike for a step up from Mt A elementary age kids and older. There are no rock climbing or scrambling. We appreciate the lack of any technical aspects of this hike. Perfect for beginners or experts alike!
Basin Cascade Trail in Lincoln, NH
This trail is accessible from the Franconia Notch Bike Path and is perfect for even the littlest hikers. You can push an off-road stroller for much of the trail after the pavement ends.
The trail follows a series of waterfalls and smoothed rocks, creating a beautiful and unique hike. There are deep pools where people wade and cool off. You can hike as far as you like, but the full out-and-back trail is about 2.6 miles. The trail increases in steepness as you go, with the lower sections being the busiest. Because that is where the view is.
There is a fee for parking, and it is strictly enforced due to the trail's popularity.
Diana’s Baths in Bartlett, NH
A must-do activity if you're visiting the North Conway area! This easy hike is part of the U.S. National Forest System, so there is a self-pay kiosk for parking, and the lot can get busy on popular weekends.
This hike is perfect for little ones and grandparents alike. It’s a short walk to the viewpoint area. While there are some rocks to climb if you want to get closer to the water, climbing is not necessary to enjoy the view.
If you like this list or want more suggestions check out our podcast for more details about all of these hikes and other outdoor adventures Around New England.
Thanks Mike & G.
Mt Willard Crawford Notch, NH
We had a great time hiking Mt Willard and then enjoyed delicious lunch in Littleton, NH. Also discovered a great beer store Little Town Brews.
What a beautiful hike—fairly easy and absolutely stunning! We rolled in around 7:30 am, only to discover that the bathroom in the parking lot had decided to sleep in. But fear not! A quick stroll over to the AMC revealed a bathroom that was actually open, plus a store for any last-minute snack emergencies. Because, let’s face it, no one wants to hike on an empty stomach!
We hit the trail shortly after 7:30 am, and by 8:30 am, we were already basking in the glory at the peak of Mt. Willard. The climb is a steady incline, starting with a charming little stream to cross—no rock climbing or scrambles here, which I definitely appreciated. As you near the top, the views of Crawford Notch hit you like a beautiful postcard.
The elevation gain is about 895 feet, so you can impress your friends by saying you conquered a mountain while still getting your morning cardio.
Ratings:
Difficulty: 3/10
Views: 10/10 (bring your camera and your jaw for all the dropping!)
The After the Hike-
After our invigorating hike, we hopped in the car and zoomed over to Littleton, NH, for lunch and some retail therapy. First up: a much-needed coffee at Crumb Bum Bakery. We strolled around town, trying to kill time until Schilling Beer Co opened for lunch—because who doesn’t want to combine carbs and hops?
Littleton is home to a few delightful shops that we absolutely adore and can’t wait to raid again. We had fun picking out our own 4 pack at Little Town Brews local New England brews. It’s a fantastic little store that’s like a treasure chest for beer lovers—offering everything from local favorites to NA options for those who prefer their fun sans alcohol.
We also stumbled upon Shaun Terhune Fine Art Photography, which is basically an Instagrammer’s dream. His incredible photography and rustic pieces would make any mountain home feel like a cozy retreat—or at least help you pretend you’re in one while you binge-watch reality TV.
In short, I’d return to Littleton, NH, just to hit up these spots again. And maybe to revisit Crumb Bum for more treats & coffee. Who’s with me?