Best Short and Easy Winter Hikes in New Hampshire
A White Mountain Hiking Guide
Last Updated: 11/23/2025
If you’re looking for easy winter hikes in New Hampshire that still deliver those stunning snow-covered views, then you’re in the right spot! Winter hiking doesn’t have to be intimidating — these trails are great for beginners or anyone looking for an easy hike while offering a rewarding adventure in the winter months. In this post you’ll find a list of my favorite winter hikes and the trip details, some tips for winter hiking, and what makes each hike great in winter.
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New to winter hiking and not sure where to start? To help get you started, check out these other blog posts where I got into more detail about proper gear and my full list of winter hiking tips.
BONUS- claim your FREE winter hiking packing list below!
1. Mount Major – Alton, NH
Distance
3.7 miles round trip
Duration
2-3 Hours
Elevation Gain
1,100 ft
Difficulty
Moderate
Mount Major is a rocky mountain in the Belknap range south of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, and is my first suggestion for easy winter hiking in New Hampshire. It’s a short hike with only 3.7 miles and 1,100 feet of elevation gain and you can finish the hike 2-3 hours, making a great day hike option.
Offering 360 degree views of the Belknap range and Lake Winnipesaukee, the views from Mount Major are famed- and with good reason! On a clear day you even have views of Mount Washington and the rest of the rest of the Presidential Ridge.
There’s something truly magical about seeing the White Mountains with snow dusted on top, it’s wonderful reminder of their name sake. A practical bonus to hiking in the colder months is that the crowds thin of this very popular hike.
The trail starts off at Mount Major parking lot and then follows the Mount Major trail for about 1 mile, which is relatively flat with a small but steady incline. The trail forks, where you can take the longer but more mellow Brook Trail, or the shorter but steeper Mount Major Trail route.
I chose to take the blue route, where the trail quickly got steeper, but the views along the way were rewarding. There was one part of the trail where you have to scale a small section of slippery, icy rock with not a lot of options for going around. We packed microspikes and hiking poles and that gear really saved us!
I find that packing traction gear such as microspikes are essential, regardless fo what the trail conditions are reported on apps like AllTrails. At the top of Mount Major the views are amazing, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy some sips of warm tea or cocoa.
Route Alternatives:
You can easily make this a loop trail by taking the yellow Mount Major trail back down, but keep in mind that it will add to your time if you’re close to sunset.
Bonus Tip:
Sunrise or a clear day are best for views.
More on winter hiking gear below:
2. Mount Willard – Crawford Notch
Distance
3.2 miles round trip
Duration
2-2.5 hours
Elevation gain
1,100 ft
difficulty
moderate
Mount Willard in Crawford Notch is one of the best winter hikes for beginners for a couple reasons. While the trail is somewhat steep, it offers a gradual incline that is fairly consistent and doesn’t require any scrambling up or down slippery rocks unlike Mount Major.
Also, the view of Crawford Notch is the best view you can get while putting in a small amount of effort, which explains why it’s one of the most popular hikes. If you’re looking for a gorgeous view of Crawford Notch in the winter season but aren’t up for a full day adventure, this is a fantastic option.
Beginning at the Avalon trailhead, take a left to get on the Mount Willard Trail after 0.1 miles. You’ll stay on the Mount Willard Trail there and back- note that the trail markers tend to be sparse. Early in the trail you’ll encounter a mild stream crossing, then some gorgeous cascades, and finally a Centinennel Pool.
These land markers take on an especially beautiful look in the winter season, so take some time for pictures! From the Centennial Pool all the way to the summit is a steady incline while getting steep at the end, but with less than a mile to get to the top it’s very doable.
As you approach the summit, the trees create this beautiful green tunnel with the sky illuminating the end, and the terrain gets flat as a final reward just before you pop out on the rocky bulge overlooking Crawford Notch.
Once you’re at the top just be mindful of where the rock ends, as you don’t want to fall off the mountain! Enjoy your break at the top and soak in the great views before heading down the same way you came up.
Parking Tip:
The parking lot at the train station fills up early, so make sure you’re there early in the morning.
Other Helpful Posts:
3. Artist’s Bluff – Franconia Notch State Park
distance
1.5 miles round trip
Duration
0.5-1 hour
Elevation Gain
~425 ft
Difficulty
easy
Artist’s Bluff is a great option if you’re looking for a short hike that offers gorgeous views of Cannon Mountain, Echo Lake, and the rest of the Franconia Ridge. Artist’s Bluff is a short but steep trail in Franconia Notch State Park, and it’s quite rocky in places so you’ll want to bring your microspikes or crampons.
Traction gear is always important while hiking in the winter, but it’s especially important on this trail. This is the perfect beginner hikes for truly beginner winter hikers, and although it’s a short hike, the mountain views are more than worth the work! Artist’s Bluff is one of the most popular hikes in the area for good reason.
Parking Tip:
Artist’s Bluff does share a parking lot with Cannon Mountain Ski Area, so keep that in mind. You may have to get there very early in the morning!
Tips for Enjoying Winter Hikes in New Hampshire
- Start early in the day. There’s less day light, so starting in the morning gives you more hours of light.
- Pack lots of layers. You want to avoid sweating as much as possible so that you don’t get wet or cold, which is a recipe for hypothermia. I go over what clothes and layers are best for hiking in the guide below.
- Make sure you have traction. When hiking in New Hampshire in the winter you’re very likely to encounter ice, which can cause you to lose traction and risk an injury or a fall. Make sure that you’re prepared by bringing along microspikes or crampons for EVERY. HIKE. More on winter hiking specialty gear in the guide below.
Winter hiking in New Hampshire doesn’t have to be an all day expedition and it doesn’t have to require a lot of experience. If you start small with an easy hike such as the ones listed above and keep trying new experiences, you’ll build up the confidence and the skills needed to take on the bigger hikes.
If your goal is simply to get some fresh air so that you can cozy down at home guilt-free, then I applaud you and still think the list above will be helpful to you! Let me know in the comments, is there a hike that I missed?
Did you try any of these hikes and have a favorite? And don’t forget to follow along for more adventure and join my email list!
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