Best Winter Hikes in New Hampshire

With snow-covered mountains and dramatic wintry landscapes, winter in New Hampshire is a magical place. While most folks enjoy sitting by the fire with a hot cuppa, we prefer going out to play!

Wintertime doesn’t mean hiking is over for the season. Sure, you’ll need some extra gear and have to take some precautions, but there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t go for winter hikes.

We LOVE hiking in winter, and there are open trails to suit hikers of all levels. Here are some of our favorites. We hope you enjoy them too!

Top Winter Hiking Trails in New Hampshire

Beginner-Friendly Winter Hikes

Mount Major

Elevation: 1,785 ft

Located in Alton, New Hampshire, this mountain is considered a lookout for Lake Winnipesaukee. To access the hiking sites, you can park in Alton on the mountainside of Route 11 It has several routes that are beginner-friendly, such as the Mount Major Trail, which is around 1.5 miles, and the Brook Trail at 1.7 miles.

There’s also the Boulder Loop Trail at 2.9 miles, but it’s the steepest one and might be challenging for beginners. Once you reach the peak, you get a 360-degree view of the Lakes Region and Lake Winnipesaukee. There’s also a popular spot for snowshoeing, which is the 2.4-mile hike of Mount Major via Brook and Main Trail Loop.    

West Rattlesnake Mountain

Elevation: 1,240 ft

Located in the Southwestern White Mountains, Rattlesnake Mountain is perfect for beginners as it is relatively short and has open summit views. To access the hiking site, use the parking lot on Buffalo Road.

You can take the West Rattlesnake Trail for a short 0.7-mile hike one way or go around the West and East Rattlesnake Mountain via Old Bridle Path for a longer 3.7-mile hike. When you reach the summit, you can enjoy the fantastic views of the Baker River Valley. You can also use snowshoes in the Old Bridle Path.  

Blue Job Mountain

Elevation:1352 ft

The second highest mountain in the Blue Hills, Blue Job Mountain is located in the southeastern Lakes Region. You can access the trailhead from First Crown Point Road in Strafford and park down the road.

The Blue Job Mountain trail is fairly easy at a 2.1-mile loop and a gentle slope. Once you reach the fire tower you’ll find breathtaking panoramic views in all directions, from the White Mountains to the ocean.

Moderate Winter Hikes

Lonesome Lake Hut

Elevation: 2,760 ft

Located on the shores of Lonesome Lake, this hike lies within the Franconia State Park. You can access the trailhead via the Lafayette Campground parking area. The hike is short but steep, perfect for hikers looking for moderate trails at 3.2 miles for a round-trip.

The trail will first be steady and start to get steep by the middle, so you might want your hiking poles. When you reach the lake, enjoy sweeping views of the Franconia Ridge. You can also visit the Hut which is a lodge where you can book a room or use their amenities. The end of the trail around the lake is also a popular area for snowshoeing.

Mount Cardigan

Elevation:3,121 ft

Located within Cardigan Mountain State Park, access the trailhead through the Cardigan Mountain Road in Orange, New Hampshire. There are multiple trails available, with the ones on the west side being generally shorter and less steep than the ones on the east.

Nevertheless, all the trails give you plenty of elevation, making it moderately challenging terrain. The most popular would be the Mount Cardigan Loop trail, which is a 3.1-mile hike with views of Mount Monadnock, the White Mountains, Camel’s Hump, and Pleasant Mountain.

Mount Pierce

Elevation: 4,310

Located in Crawford Notch State Park, the trail to Mount Pierce is accessible via Mount Clinton Road in Bretton Woods. Because of its elevation, Mount Pierce is known for its howling wind, so make sure you bundle up with a tough shell before going there.

There are several paths you can use. The first one is via the Crawford Path, which is a 5.9-mile hike. On a clear day, you can also see Mount Washington from the first loop.

There’s also Mount Pierce, Jackson, and Webster Loop, which is known as a scenic route with a 9.2-mile distance. Throughout the hike, you’ll find frozen waterfalls, Mount Jackson, and Mount Webster. If you want a bigger challenge, hop on the Webster Cliff Trail, which is a 12.5-mile hike.

Challenging Winter Hikes

Mount Moosilauke

Elevation: 4,802 ft

Located in the White Mountain National Forest, you can access it via the west side of US Route 112. Hiking in Mount Moosilauke can be very challenging and slippery, so make sure you’re prepared physically before going.

A popular trail that’s also challenging is via the Beaver Brook, which is a 6.5-mile hike. The first part of the hike is casual and gentle, but after about half a mile, you’re going to be facing uphill terrain. The trail will be much easier once you reach the halfway point. Throughout the trail, you can find gorgeous frozen waterfalls. At the summit, you’ll get a 360 view of the Presidential Range and Mount Washington.

Mount Washington

Elevation: 6,288 ft

As the highest peak of the White Mountains, Mount Washington lies within the Presidential Range. A hike in Mount Washington is a serious undertaking due to its elevation and extreme weather conditions.

One of the most popular routes is via the Lion Head Trail, which is accessible from the Pinkham Notch Visitors Center at Joe Dodge Lodge. For this hike, you will need crampons and potentially an ice ax, as the terrain is much more challenging and involves several icy areas.

Throughout the hike, you’ll find frozen waterfalls and see into the Tuckerman Ravine. At the top, you can see the adjacent states and Canada when the day is clear.

Be warned! A high level of fitness and alpine experience are needed to complete this hike. Even if it’s just around 8 miles for a round-trip, the trail is steep and icy, and conditions can turn quickly.  

Mount Chocorua

Elevation: 3,490 ft

Located in the Chocorua Lake within the White Mountains Region, the trail to Mount Chocorua is accessible via the Chocorua Lake Road. One popular trail is the Chocorua Loop via the Piper Trail, which is about 8.9 miles.

The traverse is steep, with lots of scrambling, so bring your crampons or microspikes to make sure you don’t slip. At the summit, you’ll find beautiful views of Mount Washington and the rest of the White Mountain National Forest.

Essential Winter Hiking Gear

Winter hiking is not quite the same as hiking in summer or fall. Here are some additional gear that is recommended by the National Park Services.

● Food, especially salty food to keep you energized on the way

● First aid kit, including bandaids, wraps, antiseptic, and moleskin

● Map and compass, use offline and online maps in case of emergency

● Water and optional electrolytes

● Waterproof boots and gaiters to keep mud and snow out

● Over-the-shoe traction devices, such as microspikes or crampons

● Hiking poles to help you get a footing on icy trails

● Waterproof and warm clothing, including parka, hat, gloves, and an extra set of dry clothes

● Emergency shelter, sleeping bag, flashlight

● Safety gears, such as whistles, avalanche beacons, or signal mirror.

Winter Safety and Preparation

Winter adds many other risky elements, but with proper preparation, you can easily mitigate them.

○ Always check avalanche and the local mountain weather

○ Check the roads, and make sure there’s no closure due to fallen trees or snow

○ Choose your destination wisely, research online, and ask locals or the national park rangers about the condition of your chosen trail

○ Don’t go alone and always let someone know where you are and when you expect to return

○ Snow can obscure landmarks, so make sure you’re well-versed in reading maps and navigating

○ Keep a watchful eye on wildlife and practice safe viewing practices.

Final Thoughts

Ready to go on a wintry hike? Come visit New Hampshire! Not only are there plenty of hiking and skiing options around, but there are countless winter activities and festivals if you aren’t keen on getting outdoors.

If you’re thinking of visiting New Hampshire, get in touch with us at GidanaGetaways. We love New Hampshire in winter and look forward to sharing it with you!

FAQs

What are the best beginner-friendly winter hikes in New Hampshire?

The best beginner-friendly winter hikes in New Hampshire are Mount Major, West Rattlesnake Mountain, and Blue Job Mountain.

Do I need special gear for winter hiking in New Hampshire?

Yes, you need special gear when hiking in the winter in New Hampshire, such as microspikes, hiking poles, food and water, emergency shelter, waterproof clothing, and boots.

What safety precautions should I take while winter hiking in the White Mountains?

Before going on a winter hike in the White Mountains, make sure you check for the weather and avalanche conditions, be well-versed in navigating, share your trip plan with someone else, and bring along the necessary winter hike tools. You might need crampons, snowshoes, or even ice axes in more challenging terrain.

Which winter hiking trails in New Hampshire offer the best views?

Some of the best views in New Hampshire can be seen from Mount Cardigan, Mount Chocorua, Mount Moosilauke, Mount Pierce, and Mount Major.

Can you snowshoe on New Hampshire’s winter hiking trails?

Yes, you can snowshoe on several New Hampshire winter hiking trails, such as Mount Major, West Rattlesnake Mountain, and Lonesome Lake Hut.

What is the best time of year for winter hiking in New Hampshire?

The best time for winter hiking in New Hampshire would be at the end of December to mid-April.

Are there any winter hiking tours or guided hikes available in New Hampshire?

Yes, there are winter hiking tours and guided hikes available in New Hampshire. These tours will take you on classic hikes, such as in the White Mountains and Presidential Peaks. Try checking out the White Mountains website to find options.

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