9 Best Hiking Trails for Fall in the White Mountains of New Hampshire
White Mountain Fall Hiking Guide
Step into the awesome beauty of the White Mountains during the fall. With the cool days and dramatic bursts of color, fall is the best time of the year to head to the Whites for a day of fun and adventure. As a local, I know all of the best hikes to catch the leaves, all with varying degrees of difficulty, and I’ll even share some great cafes along the way!
View from Mt. Adams in New Hampshire.
With so many amazing hikes, it can feel overwhelming which one to choose. If you’re feeling overwhelmed yourself, then this post is for you. In this post, I’m going to talk about:
When is the best time to see the colors
What to wear for fall hiking
A special note about the weather
How to hike with Leave No Trace principles
9 of the BEST hikes for fall foliage
The cutest cafes along the way
Growing up in the White Mountains I’ve always associated fall with pure magic, and once you’ve seen the beauty for yourself you may understand where I’m coming from. In order to get the most out of your time in the Whites, I suggest taking time to research your trip and heading out earlier than you think you need to.
A note about CROWDS:
The Whites get very crowded during the fall on the weekends. Honestly, it gets more crowded each year. New Hampshire has had to get creative about how to deal with these crowds and some things have changed over the last few years. Here are my suggestions/hot tips on how to deal:
Get to the trailhead EARLY. For some hikes, anytime after 7 AM may make it difficult or impossible to find a parking spot.
Expect to encounter slow-moving traffic through the notches.
Don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path. I’m giving you some classics that are super popular, along with a few hidden gems.
Try to go on a weekday if at all possible. The difference will be astounding.
Most of the trails are likely to be crowded, so don’t expect a summit all to yourself.
If you go to a restaurant at peak hours, expect peak crowds. And please be kind to the wait staff, they’ve had a long day.
Remember to have fun :D
This area is very special and unique and deserves to be treated as such. I’m going to share my favorite spots because I want everyone to get outside and enjoy the beauty of my home, so let’s get into planning mode!
When is the best time to see the colors?
Generally, the leaves change north to south. Meaning, In southern New Hampshire the leaves will change color later in the year than in the northern part of the state. Exactly when peak foliage will be is almost impossible to say, but generally, they start mid-September up north and peak the first and second week of October.
Visit NH has a great map of the foliage:
https://www.visitnh.gov/seasonal-trips/fall/peak-foliage-map
What to wear for fall hiking in New Hampshire:
Weather in the White Mountains is notorious for being unpredictable, and this is especially true in the fall. I suggest that you bring more layers than you think you’ll need. And remember to check the weather at the peaks as the temperature can be dramatically different from the valley. I suggest bringing along these essentials, even for the easier hikes:
Water
Food
If you want this checklist all in one place, I made a free downloadable one for you, check it out here:
A special note about the weather:
As I said, the weather in the Whites is unpredictable and downright dangerous. In the notches things get especially weird; it can be pouring rain in Franconia Notch, but clear in the next town over. So keep an eye on the weather and turn around if things get weird or if it looks like rain- the peak will be there another day!
How to hike with Leave No Trace principles:
The foundation of Leave No Trace is that once you’ve left the area it wouldn’t look like a human was there at all. That means:
Plan ahead and prepare; you’re already doing that by reading this!
Carry out all trash; even your toilet paper!
Stay on the trail; when you step off the trail you make it wider, leading to erosion and eventual widening of the trail.
Leave what you find; everything you see on a hike and in the woods is part of a broader ecosystem that is needed for the health of the forest and the animals that live there.
Respect wildlife.
Respect others
These are simple principles that make recreating in the wilderness more enjoyable for others, so keep them in mind as you’re taking in the leaves.
And finally, here are the BEST fall foliage hikes in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Best hikes in the White Mountains for fall foliage:
West Rattlesnake Mountain
Mileage: 2 miles
Trail type: out and back trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Dogs: yes, on a leash
To find the trailhead, enter “Pinehurt Rd” into Google. From there, follow the Col Trail (blue) to the Ridge Trail (green) and continue to the top. The summit is a rocky bluff overlooking Squam Lake.
Highlights:
Gorgeous views of Squam Lake
Short and sweet
Dogs welcome
2. Franconia Loop Trail
The view from Little Haystack looking south along the Franconia Ridgeline.
Mileage: 8.6 miles
Trail type: loop
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 10 hours
Dogs: Yes, on a leash
Nothing beats this trail when it comes to views of the Franconia Notch. With a good portion of this hike being above tree line on the Franconia Loop Trail you get truly stunning views of the valley below and the Presidential range beyond. This is a classic loop, and it really should be on your bucket list.
The loop takes you to the top of Little Haystack Mountain via the Falling Waters Trail, and from there you take the Franconia Ridgeline Trail to summit Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette before descending via Old Bridle Path.
Begin the hike at the small parking lot near Lafayette Campground in Franconia Notch State Park. If this parking lot is full, there is overflow parking at Cannon Mountain tram and a shuttle that takes hikers to the trailhead free of charge. Take exit 34B to access this overflow parking.
Once on your way to the top via Falling Waters Trail you will climb up the side of a gorgeous waterfall, cross several other waterfalls, and then pop out on the top of Little Haystack.
Note that this trail gets very slippery, and be warned if you’re afraid of heights as there are lots of steep ledges along the way.
Once you're on Little Haystack the fun begins as you will spend the next 1.7 miles above the treeline following the AT/Franconia Ridgeline Trail.
A word of caution; this part of the trail can become very dangerous if you get caught in bad weather. Please, if you see any sign of dark clouds, hear thunder, or are experiencing high winds - turn around.
Anyway- from here the climb is steep and rocky to summit Mount Lafayette. Once you reach the dome of Lafayette enjoy the unobscured view of all that gorgeous fall color. From here, you will descend quickly to the Greenleaf hut where you can grab a snackie and fill up your water bottle. You’ll pass Eagle Lake on your way down via the Old Bridle Path.
Highlights:
A true classic in the Whites
Stunning, panoramic views of the northern White Mountains
A ridgeline hike
Lots of waterfalls via Falling Waters Trail
3. Mount Garfield
The view from the top of Mt. Garfield in New Hampshire. Photo by Joanna Currier.
Mileage: 9.6 miles
Trail type: out and back trail
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 10 hours
Dogs: yes, on a leash
Like the Franconia Loop Trail, Mount Garfield offers unobscured and sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. If you’re looking for similar views to the Loop Trail but don’t want to work as hard, you should consider Garfield.
Park at the Garfield Trailhead parking area off Gale River Loop Rd by Route 3, the trailhead itself is well marked. From here it’s a fairly straightforward hike with a gradual but steady incline all the way up. During the last .5 miles there is some rock scrambling, and that is easily the hardest part of this hike! Be on the lookout for where the Mt. Garfield Trails meets with the Garfield Degle/AT for the final .2 miles to the summit.
There is the remnants of an old fire tower up there, so have fun exploring and enjoy the views! Follow the same trail down back to your car.
Highlights:
Gorgeous, unobscured views of the Franconia region
Long, steady ascent but not too rocky
Knock off a 4,000 footer
4. Artists Bluff
Echo Lake and Cannon Mountain from Artists Bluff in Franconia Notch, New Hampshire.
Mileage: 1.5 miles
Trail type: loop trail loop
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Dogs: Yes, on a leash
For the amount of work that you put in, the views here do not disappoint. There are actually two peaks and you can choose to hike one or both. To find the trailhead, you will park at the Cannon Mountain parking lot across the street from the main lodge with the “Cannon Mountain” sign. There you will see the trailhead marker with the distance to each summit.
To do to the loop trail, follow the trail and take a slight left to go up a rocky incline. After a short while you will come across an intersection where you can take a left to summit Bald Knob (I recommend it) or a right to continue the loop to Artist’s Bluff.
Once you summit Bald Knob, descend the same way you took up and then you will rejoin the main trail. Continue on to Artisits Bluff. Note that the bluff is slightly concealed, so you will need to veer to the left and beat back some tree branches for the full view.
If you wanted to only hike the Bluff take a right at the beginning of the trail and instead of a loop it will be an out and back trail, cutting off the bald knob section entirely.
Highlights:
Short and sweet
Stunning views of Cannon and Franconia Notch
Customizable experience
Plenty of parking
5. North and Middle Sugarloaf
The view from Middle Sugarloaf
Mileage: 3.3 miles
Trail type: out and back trail
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Time: 2 hours
Dogs: yes, on a leash
This hike is rocky and steep, but doesn’t take too long and has very rewarding views. This trail is dog friendly, although they must be leashed. Begin at the small parking area near the trailhead for the Sugarloaf Trail off route 302 in Bethlehem, NH.
From there follow the steep, and often rocky trail to North Sugarloaf, and from there you can choose to continue on to Middle Sugarloaf. It’s a little more work, but the second summit has more open views allowing for the biggest reward of the two.
This short but steep hike is great for those who want to get the heart pumping without spending all day in the woods, while also getting a stunning view of the surrounding mountains.
Highlights:
Stunning views at Middle Sugarloaf
Short but challenging
Features a wooden ladder to climb, which is fun!
6. Arethusa Falls
The impressive Arethusa Falls on a sunny day.
Mileage: 3 miles round trip
Trail type: out and back trail
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Time: 1.5-3 hours
Dogs: yes, on a leash
This short hike will lead you to a magnificent waterfall with smaller ones leading up to it and you can enjoy the sun filtering through the colorful leaves as you enjoy the sound of a brook along the way.
To access the trailhead, travel along Crawford notch via NH Route 302 and look for a large wooden sign that says “Arethusa Falls” on the side of the highway. You will find a spacious parking lot, and from there you will cross the train tracks to find a wooden sign with the trails and distance marked.
I suggest that you take the Bemis Brook Trail and then connect to Arethus Falls Trail on the way up. Although it’s a little more steep, you will get to pass three lovely waterfalls on the way. It’s worth the extra work!
Once you make it to the falls, soak in the views and relax for a bit before heading back down via the Arethusa Falls Trail.
Highlights:
Waterfalls- and lots of them!
Short and simple
Stunning fall views with swimming opportunities
7. North and South Doublehead
The view from North Doublehead looking over the village of Jackson, New Hampshire.
Mileage: 4.1 miles
Trail type: loop trail
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 3 hours
Dogs: yes, on a leash
If you’re up for a little more challenge with some lovely views of the Presidentials, I would consider North and South Doublehead in Jackson. To access the trailhead you will get to drive through the quaint village of Jackson, complete with a covered bridge!
Does it get any more New England than that? Don’t be afraid to stop and take a picture with all the fall colors!
The loop starts on the Ski Trail and leads to the Old Path, taking the New path back down after completing South Doublehead to reconnect with the Ski trail and complete the hike in the parking lot.
The path is quite wide as it is a ski trail, although it is rocky so be sure to wear proper hiking boots. There is a ski lodge at the top of North Doublehead, so be sure to check that out too!
The views are not 360, but they’re lovely. I think what really shines on this trip is the hike in the woods, it’s very wide so lots of sun can filter through.
Highlights:
Wide trail allowing for larger groups to complete this comfortably
Gorgeous views of the Presidential range
Covered bridge
Part of 52 with a View
8. Mount Adams and Madison Loop
View from Mt. Madison looking towards Randolph, New Hampshire.
Mileage: 11 miles
Trail type: loop trail
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 10-11 hours
Dogs: yes, on a leash
If you’re ready to put in work for some breathtaking views, consider this loop along the Presidential Range. This trail is rocky, rough, fun, and really makes you feel like a bad ass adventurer!
The loop will take you along the Randolph Path which starts on Pinkham B road off of route 2 in Randolph New Hampshire. Stay on Randolph Path for 0.7 miles before briefly connecting with the Brookside Trail, to Valley Way, and then back on the Randolph Path.
Stay on Randolph Path for 0.3 miles until it Joins with the Airline Trail. Stay on the Ariline Trail for 1.5 miles until it joins with the King Ravine Trail. Stay on the King Ravine Trail for .5 miles before joining with the Great Gully Trail, which you stay on for 1 Mile.
Finally, join the Lowes Path for the last .2 mile push to the summit of Mount Adams.
Soak in the views, and then prepare to summit Mount Madison. From the peak of Mount Adams, take the Lowes Path for .5 mile to join the Gulfside Trail. Take the Gulfside Trail down to Madison Spring Hut, which closes in the spring, winter, and fall. From there you continue back up the Gulfside Trail to summit Mount Madison at 5,315 feet.
From the summit of Mount Madison, take the Gulfside Trail 0.2 miles before joining with the Hawker Ridge Trail. Take this trail the 3 miles back down to your car.
Highlights:
A really cool and rocky hike
Gorgeous views from the Presidential Range
A cool lake and a hut
9. Mount Agassiz
View from Mt. Agassiz looking towards Cannon Mt. New Hampshire.
Mileage: 1.5 miles
Trail type: out and back trail
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 45 minutes- 1 hour
Dogs: yes, on a leash
This is a very short, but very steep hike that follows an old auto road straight up Mount Agassiz. It’s paved, but again this is very steep so take breaks and enjoy the hike!
The views at the top are absolutely stunning, and worth every step to get there. You can see Cannon and parts of Franconia Ridge as well. There is a wide, flat lawn with a rock wall and fence for your viewing pleasure as well as an old observation tower and an adjoining building.
Getting to the trailhead is a little interesting as this hike is entirely on private property. Park along the side of the road, taking Route 142 off of Bethlehem Main St/Route 302. From there, you’ll have to walk through someone’s driveway and backyard to reach the paved road, there will be a sign pointing the way.
Once you get to the top you can walk out to the flat lawn and soak in the views. Note that the observation tower is private property, so please be respectful of the owner’s space. If you’re interested in the history of this tower, there is a small plaque on the railing that will tell the story.
Highlights:
Round trip is less than hour
Close to town
Gorgeous views of Franonia Ridgeline for minimal work.
And there you have it- those are my favorite fall hikes in the White Mountains of New Hampshire! I hope that you’re able to get out on the trails and soak in the beauty, it’s worth the early morning. If you want to include some more fun in your adventure, I also have some cafes along the way that I love to visit.
So, as a little bonus, here are my favorite White Mountain cafe’s to visit for an afternoon pick me up.
Best Cafes in White Mountain Hiking Towns
Cafe Monte Alto
Town: Plymouth, NH
Best Drink: Chai Latte
Located in Plymouth NH right on the main street is this gem of a cafe. They make a really good chai latte, and they have a deli where you can order fresh sandwhiches. They feature a general store with some hiking staples as well.
Plymouth is a small college town, so it’s also a relaxing environment to sit down and enjoy your after hike treats!
2. The Maia Papaya
Town: Bethlehem, NH
Best Drink: Mexican Mocha
Voted the best vegetarian restaurant in New Hampshire, and conveniently located off Route 302 is the Maia Papaya. This is a cute, artsy cafe that you don’t want to miss. They have a lunch menu and some pastries if you’re feeling a little hungry after a long day of hiking, but make a note that everything is meat free. A win for the planet we think!
If you want to stay around and sip your drinks, they have a rotating selection of art on display by local artists which keeps this cafe fun and interesting. They also have a small area for outdoor seating to enjoy the day.
3. The Inkwell
Town: Littleton, NH
Best Drink: Seasonal Latte’s
The Inkwell in Littleton features a delicious, curated collection of seasonal lattes that never fail to disappoint, and they have a healthy, yummy lunch menu that pairs well with a morning of hiking. My favorite sandwich is the Pilgrim Jack that has turkey and cranberry sauce, and they have some really tasty and healthy smoothies for those on the go.
The vibe inside is classic, casual cafe with some indoor and outdoor seating.
4. Crumb Bum Bakery
Town: Littleton, NH
Best Drink: Maple Latte
Do not MISS the Crumb Bum’s maple latte y’all! It is so good, and so sweet, that it really is something I look forward to every time I’m in Littleton.
The Crumb Bum started out as a bakery, so I suggest getting a sweet little treat while you’re there as well.
My favorite is the lavender shortcake!
5. Ski the Whites Coffee Co
Town: Jackson, NH
Best Drink: Good ‘ol fashioned iced coffee
Iced coffee slaps after a long hike and Ski the Whites Coffe Co delivers. What I really enjoyed about Ski the Whites Coffee is that all of their coffee is roasted by hand, on site.
The quality and the freshness of the beans really stand out, which is what makes a simple iced coffee so enjoyable. Do yourself a favor and check them out if you’re in the area. Evans Notch also makes a great road trip in the fall ;)
And that’s a wrap on the best hikes in the White Mountains for fall hikes. I hope this list helps inspire you to get out on the trails and make some memories, and let me know in the comments what your favorite hike is!
If you enjoy this content and want to stay in the loop for more, subscribe to my email list and you will also get a FREE day hiking checklist!
Cheers!
-Rebecca
