11 Best Hikes in Southern New Hampshire

When hikers think about getting outdoors in New Hampshire it is typically to the White Mountains and Mount Washington. Just look at the throngs of people on a weekend or holiday! Yikes. 

If you, like us, believe that nature should be enjoyed in solitude, consider the multitude of hikes that the south has to offer. Dominated by lush, dense forests and endless rolling hills, the south also enjoys a milder winter and can be visited all year round. 

Wondering where to start? Fret not, we got your back. In this blog post, we’ll look at 11 best hikes in southern New Hampshire suitable for all levels and share what you can do to prep for them. 

1. Blue Loop, Jerry Hill, Marjory Swope Park, Concord

If you’re a complete beginner or simply looking for a gentle stroll, the Blue Loop on Jerry Hill located in Marjory Swope Park might just be your thing. The park has wide, gentle, and well-marked trails, making it one of the go-to spots for family-friendly recreation. 

The Blue Loop has three clear viewpoints that you can enjoy along the way, summiting on top of the hill. Some pleasant views include the distant Crotched Mountain and Mt. Monadnock, so keep your camera phone handy. Best of all, this trail is a popular dog-walking trail so you can bring your pooch for some valuable socialization time. 

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 1.6 miles 

Elevation Gain: 300 feet 

2. Oak Hill Tower Trail, Concord

Tower Trail is located on a small hill with a fire tower as one of its route markers, hence the name. The trail goes through a beautiful forested area and is easily navigated. There are two primary viewpoints on this trail which include views of Mt. Kearsarge, Mt. Cardigan, and Ragged Mountain. 

At the summit, climb the fire tower to get multiple vantage points over the treetops or unwind at the picnic table. Dogs are also welcome on this trail, but they need to be leashed. 

Difficulty: Easy 

Distance: 3.9 mile loop

Elevation Gain: 652 feet 

3. Winslow Trail to Mount Kearsarge Summit, Winslow State Park

The Winslow Trail is a well-known route used for bird-watching and viewing wildflowers, so get there early to beat the crowd. At first, it appears to be an easy hike, but the trail is a tad steep which can be challenging for kids and older hikers. 

Once you’re near the summit, you’ll find the granite dome, completely open with a 360-degree view. It has a fire tower and a picnic area, so bring some chow to enjoy the view. It’s a pet-friendly trail and dogs are welcome in Winslow State Park. For an easier alternative, try the Barlow Trail which is less steep. 

Difficulty: Easy - Moderate 

Distance: 1.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,105 feet 

4. Mt. Monadnock Summit Out and Back, Monadnock State Park

Up for a bigger challenge? Try this popular hiking route to the summit of Mt. Monadnock, known for its awesome views. When you reach the top, you’ll be able to see up to 100 miles into the distance and all six New England States. Start by using the Old Halfway House Trail, moving on to the White Arrow Trail when you reach a fork. 

It’s a manageable trail, but hiking poles can be used to make your hike easier. Halfway through the hike, you’ll find the steeper inclines and rocky sections in the White Arrow Trail, so be cautious, especially if the trail is wet. Dogs are not allowed on this trail. 

Difficulty: Moderate - Strenuous

Distance: 4.4 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,669 feet 

5. Bald Rock and Monadnock Mountain Loop, Monadnock State Park

Also in Monadnock State Park is the Bald Rock and Mountain Loop trail. Less traveled than others, this challenging trail’s view at the summit and the cliff walk make this route worth the effort. 

You’ll go through the forest along the cliffs over rock fields to reach the summit. Be prepared with some bug spray, because the walk through the forest means plenty of insects. It’s a slightly longer loop, so bring some water and food to keep your energy levels up. 

To be kinder on your knees on the descent, you might want hiking poles. Dogs aren’t allowed on this trail either. 

Difficulty: Moderate - Strenuous

Distance: 6.2 miles loop

Elevation Gain: 1,978 feet 

6. Gap Mountain North Trail, Jaffrey

Gap Mountain is named for the prominent saddle between its south and middle summits. There are three summits on Gap: the south is wooded with no views, but the middle and north summits have sweeping views of Mount Monadnock and the surrounding area. 

This short out-and-back trail is located near Troy. While it is a popular trail, you can still get the summit to yourself if you go during the quieter times of the day.

Enjoy the stunning vista of Mount Monadnock or the blueberry crops lining the lower north summit in summer. Dogs are allowed, and although this is a short trail, it is relatively strenuous. 

Difficulty: Moderate 

Distance: 2.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 675 feet 

7. Pisgah Ridge Loop, Pisgah State Park

Located near Chesterfield, the Pisgah Ridge Loop Trail begins at the Kilburn Pond Trailhead. When you reach an intersection about half a mile from the parking, follow the white arrow to a small river crossing. Then you’ll begin following the Pisgah Ridge Trail, then you’ll hop on and off various other trails like the Baker Trail, and Davis Hill Trail. 

Along the way, you’ll run into the beautiful Baker Pond. The trail is well-maintained and marked, but be mindful of insects in the summer! Dogs are welcome! 

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 7.9 miles loop

Elevation Gain: 767 feet 

8. Purgatory Falls, Wilton

This longish out-and-back trail goes past three waterfalls and runs parallel to the brook the whole time, so you might want to bring your swimmers, especially in summer.  You can start the hike from either end, but most usually use the lower falls parking as a kick-off point. 

Yellow tags mark the trail, but they also mark parts of the Upland Trail so stick close to the brook to stay on track. One of the highlights of this route is the Lower Falls, which has several cascading streams into the large pool below. After reaching the Upper Falls, go back the way you came. Although the hike is fairly long, it is relatively gentle. Dogs are welcome and must be leashed.

Difficulty: Easy - Moderate 

Distance: 5.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 504 feet 

9. Round Pond Trail to Fundy Trail, Pawtuckaway State Park 

In Pawtuckaway State Park near Nottingham, this hike is relatively long and relatively difficult compared to others on this list. The first part is the toughest so you’ll get that out of the way while you’re still fresh! 

The Round Pond Trail starts at the campground then progresses onto the Fundy Trail past brooks and ponds. The vegetation is dense and although this means plenty of shade, it can also get very hot. Check the trail conditions before you go depending on the season as the trail can get muddy, hot, loaded with mosquitoes, and icy. 

There are some bouldering spots so if you climb, you might want to take your climbing kicks with you. 

Dogs are allowed through the main gate for hiking, but only before Memorial Day weekend in May and after Columbus Day weekend in October.

Difficulty: Strenuous

Distance: 11.8 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,492 feet 

10. New Boston Rail Trail, New Boston

The New Boston Rail Trail is easy to navigate because all you need to do is follow the tracks! It’s a popular local spot for hiking, biking, running, and dog walking, so be sure to arrive early to beat the crowd. 

The trail is easy and is relatively flat, so it’s stroller-friendly and perfect for the whole family. You’ll walk along the river with loads of benches that you can sit on and just chill. This route is so well-maintained that you can also enjoy it in winter, but you might want to use some traction to save your knees some grief. 

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 7.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 170 feet 

11. Shannon’s Trail, Summit West and Lower Link Trail, Greenfield

Located in Crotched Mountain near Greenfield, the area features long, fun hiking trails. You’ll start with Shannon’s Trail and climb uphill, then along the Lower Link Trail. One of the highlights of this trail is the observation deck which gives you a west view of Mt. Monadnock and surrounding hills. 

There’s also the southern viewpoint that overlooks several lakes in the foreground. Dogs are not allowed in some areas, so check the local authorities if you’re planning to bring your pooch along.  

Difficulty: Moderate 

Distance: 3.8 miles

Elevation Gain : 1,164 feet 

The Seasons of New Hampshire 

Some of you might already be familiar with the unique seasons of New Hampshire, but we want to be inclusive and we’re from the area, so here’s the skinny on things! 

Spring - The snow melt makes everything mushy, and we affectionately call it mud season. The temps are good, but watch the weather for rain and wind. 

Summer - Peak season and this is when the crowds come in. It can get very hot, but there are some shady trails that you can still enjoy. Watch out for the swarms of mosquitoes! 

Fall - Our favorite! New Hampshire is legendary for its fall season when the leaves start to change color. Temps are perfect, rain is minimal, and nature is at its best. 

Winter - Ski season with winter hiking, snowmobiling, and ice climbing. Hiking is possible on well-maintained trails but you will want some traction like crampons or microspikes. 

Safety First! 

Like most other regions, hiking in New Hampshire comes with its share of risks. Here are some common ones.

Ticks - These little bloodsuckers appear when the temps get above 40F and they aren’t covered with snow. While exposure can occur year-round, they are most active during the warmer months of April to November. They can carry all sorts of viruses including the dreaded Lyme disease, so protect yourself! 

Mosquitoes - Another annoying bloodsucker is the mosquito, which will appear in the warmer months in swarms. While they appear at temps above 50F, they really thrive above 70F. Bug spray is a must for the warmer months! 

Black Flies - Another problematic insect is the black fly, whose bite can make you sick with “black fly fever” which can cause fever, nausea, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes around your neck.

Dehydration - This is another one that can creep up on you when you least expect it. The summer months typically hovers from 80F to 90F, and while this isn’t Arizona-hot, it still requires you to be careful and bring loads of water. 

Dehydration can turn into heat exhaustion, which then can lead to heatstroke, a serious illness with severe consequences. Symptoms of dehydration include extreme thirst, lack of sweat, dry mouth, rapid but weak pulse, headaches, and dizziness.

If you bring your dog with you in the hotter months, make sure that your dog is well taken care of! Vet clinics all over the country see numerous animals in summer for heat-related illness. 

Wildlife - Hikers in New Hampshire often report sightings of moose and black bear. Never feed or approach wildlife and always observe them from a distance. Also be careful if there's a mama bear or moose around with her young. Although most wildlife don’t want any trouble, they can react unpredictably if they feel threatened.

11 Best Hikes in Southern New Hampshire - Final Thoughts 

There’s plenty of hiking in southern New Hampshire and less crowds than the throngs of the north. If you’re looking for a place to stay within a short drive of the best trails, Gidana Getaways is here for you! 

We LOVE living here and will be happy to share more information on the trails and other fun activities depending on what YOU want. Get in touch with us and let us help you plan your NH mountain vacay!