25 HIKES 5 MILES OR LESS: WHITE MOUNTAINS
I am proud to present 25 great hikes that are 5 miles or less in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire & Maine! This list is based upon my personal experience of hiking throughout this region over the past 15 years.
Each of these hikes is very scenic and memorable - you can't go wrong with any of them (unless, of course, you hike them while unprepared in poor weather conditions). Take note that this list is in random order - it is not sorted by rank.
If you would like detailed driving directions and trail guides for these hikes, I recommend purchasing these long-trusted hiking guidebooks:
AMC: White Mountain Guide (31st edition)
AMC: Best Day Hikes in the White Mountains (4th edition)
Moon: New England Hiking (1st edition)
Follow New England Waterfalls on Facebook! 
ARETHUSA FALLS
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
3.0 miles
round-trip |
Moderate |
Arethusa Falls, a gorgeous 160-foot tall horsetail-style waterfall, is arguably the finest waterfall in New England; the falls are popular with ice climbers in winter and make for a rewarding snowshoeing trip; the trailhead for the falls is off US-302 in Crawford Notch State Park (look for a sign on the highway); en route to Arethusa Falls, take the spur trail to also see Bemis Brook Falls and Coliseum Falls |
ARTIST'S BLUFF / BALD MOUNTAIN LOOP
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
1.5 mile loop |
Easy / Moderate |
Artist's Bluff provides beautiful views of Franconia Notch & Echo Lake (the one in Franconia Notch and not the one in North Conway); the trailhead for this loop hike is across the street from the Cannon Mountain ski area on NH 18 |
BALD PEAK
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
4.6 miles
round-trip |
Moderate |
this peak on the shoulder of North Kinsman Mountain offers fine views to the west; this is an excellent snowshoe trip in winter; the trailhead (which is not plowed in winter) is found on NH 116 |
BASIN, THE / BASIN-CASCADES TRAIL
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
2.2 miles
round-trip |
Moderate |
there are several great waterfalls on the Basin-Cascades Trail, including Rocky Glen Falls and Kinsman Falls; in addition to the falls on the Basin-Cascades Trail, you'll also pass by the The Basin; using this trail to hike up to Lonesome Lake is no longer recommended since the bridge above Rocky Glen Falls was destroyed and is unlikely to be replaced; the trailhead for all these falls is at The Basin, and there are exits on both sides of I-93 north of Lincoln |
BLACK MOUNTAIN (BENTON)
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
3.6 miles
round-trip |
Moderate |
Black Mountain in Benton offers one of the finest "bang for the buck" hikes in the western White Mountains; there are excellent views from many different ledges on the mountain |
BOULDER LOOP TRAIL
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
3.1 mile loop |
Moderate |
plentiful views are offered along the Boulder Loop trail; take note that a fire in the fall of 2016 may have affected portions of this trail; the trailhead for this hike is near the Albany Covered Bridge on thw western end of Passaconaway Road off of the Kancamagus Highway (NH 112) |
BRIDAL VEIL FALLS
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
5.0 miles
round-trip |
Easy / Moderate |
Bridal Veil Falls is one of the loveliest (and easiest) half-day hikes in New Hampshire; this beautiful waterfall is found at the end of the Coppermine Trail; don't miss the Bette Davis plaque (if you can find it - it is about 50 feet off of the trail); the trailhead for these falls is on Coppermind Road, which is off NH 116 just south of the Franconia Inn; a shelter for overnight backpacking is available 0.2 mile east of the falls (free; first-come, first-served) |
FLUME, THE / FLUME-POOL LOOP / AVALANCHE FALLS
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
2.0 mile loop |
Easy / Moderate |
The Flume is an extremely popular hike in Franconia Notch State Park, but it's well worth dealing with all the crowds and the (expensive) admission fee; expect to see a beautiful gorge and waterfalls along a unique boardwalk trail; hiking The Flume is a right of passage for visitors to NH |
HEDGEHOG MOUNTAIN
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
4.8 mile loop |
Moderate |
this loop hike off the eastern side of the Kancamagus Highway (NH 112) offers several fine views from open ledges |
IMP FACE / IMP TRAIL
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
4.4 miles
round-trip |
Moderate |
The Imp offers some of the finest views of the Presidential Range, including Mt. Washington; the trailhead is on NH 16 north of Jackson |
LONESOME LAKE / LONESOME LAKE HUT
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
4.0 miles round-trip |
Moderate |
Lonesome Lake is a beautiful and remote pond in Franconia Notch; a steady but relatively easy climb brings you to the shore of this lake; once you reach the lake, you can hike around completely around it and also visit the AMC Lonesome Lake Hut (open year-round; lodging available with advance reservations); there are beautiful views of the Franconia Range from the western lake-shore, so try to save this hike for a clear day; access is via the Lonesome Lake Trail, which begins at the Lafayette Place Campground (access via the southbound side of I-93) |
MOUNT AVALON
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
3.8 miles
round-trip |
Moderate |
Mt. Avalon offers excellent views of the Crawford Notch area; this mountain is often hiked as part of a hike up several 4000-footers, including Mt. Field, Mt. Willey and/or Mt. Tom |
MOUNT CRAWFORD
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
5.0 miles
round-trip |
Moderate / Difficult |
Mount Crawford offers near 360-degree views from its fabulous open summit and mostly open ledges; the trailhead for the Davis Path, which leads to Mount Crawford and eventually some other peaks, is found off US-302 |
MOUNT JEFFERSON
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
5.0 miles
round-trip
(via the Caps Ridge Trail) |
Difficult |
Hiking Mt. Jefferson via the Caps Ridge Trail is easily the hardest hike on this list; this hike is extremely difficult even though the total distance is only 5.0 miles round-trip; Mt. Jefferson is one of the northern Presidential-range peaks; the most common route is via the scrambly Caps Ridge Trail (5.0 miles round-trip) off Jefferson Notch Road (open seasonally), but there are other alternative routes (Jewell Trail, for example); 360-degree alpine views; in winter, you must take a different and longer approach to climb Jefferson |
MOUNT PEMIGEWASSET
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
3.8 miles
round-trip |
Moderate |
Mount Pemigewasset offers great views from an open ledge at its summit; the trailhead is off US 3, just north of the town of Lincoln and the Kancamagus Highway; most will argue that the better approach to this mountain is from the trailhead within the parking lot for The Flume (aka the "Flume Gorge") |
Photo Courtesy of: Harrison Hass, www.harrisonhaasphotography.com |
DIRECTIONS / TRAIL INFO
AMC White Mountain Guide (2022)
|
MOUNT POTASH
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
4.0 miles
round-trip |
Moderate |
this out-and-back hike off the Kancamagus Highway (NH 112) offers great views but is fairly steep at times (crampons may be helpful in winter) |
MOUNT ROBERTS
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
5.0 miles
round-trip |
Moderate |
Mount Roberts is a great family-friendly day hike near the Castle in the Clouds; views are found en route from several ledges and there is also a fine view of Mt. Washington from the summit itself; free parking |
MOUNT WILLARD
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
3.2 miles
round-trip |
Moderate |
Mount Willard offers wide, scenic views of Crawford Notch; hiking to this fabulous view is an outstanding adventure for first-time hikers; this is a favorite (and relatively easy) winter snowshoeing trip; parking for the trail is near the AMC Crawford Notch Depot on US 302; while you are parked at the trailhead, also consider hiking to other great nearby attractions, including: Ammonoosuc Lake, Beecher & Pearl Cascades, Gibbs Falls, and Crawford Cliff |
NORTH & MIDDLE SUGARLOAF
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
3.2 miles
round-trip |
Moderate |
North & Middle Sugarloaf offer one of the great 'bang for the buck' hikes in the White Mountains; a hike of only 2.6 miles brings you to the summit of Middle Sugarloaf, which offers some of the finest views in the White Mountains from huge open ledges; extend your hike to 3.2 miles in total and you can also visit North Sugarloaf, which offers excellent views from two different viewpoints; access via well-marked trailhead off Zealand Road (open seasonally; located off US 302); the trail to both summits is a moderate climb with a fair amount of elevation gain, and there is also a tall but secure ladder in place on the way to Middle Sugarloaf that those with a strong fear of heights may not appreciate; if you finish this hike and want more, combine with nearby Mt. Willard, which is another classic "bang for the buck" hike |
NORTH PERCY PEAK
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
4.0 miles
round-trip |
Difficult |
North Percy Peak is a tough, off-the-beaten-path "North Woods" area hike; hiking to the summit involves steep hiking and also some ledge scrambling, which is dangerous when wet or icy; you can also take a rough path to South Percy Peak, although North Percy is a finer peak; the trailhead is on Nash Stream Road |
PINE MOUNTAIN LOOP
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
3.5 mile
semi-loop |
Moderate |
Pine Mountain offers awesome views for the effort involved (this is another very high 'bang for the buck' hike); this mountain is opular with campers staying at the extremely large and nearby Dolly Copp Campground; parking is found at the trailhead for the Pink Link trail off Pinkham B Road (a dirt road that is usually open and passage by all vehicles from May to October); 2.5 miles of the 3.5 mile total distance is done by walking along a dirt road; some minor hand-scrambling is involved on the 0.6 mile southern portion of the Ledge Trail, but most hikers will not find it particular difficult; you can expect to find several excellent outlooks, especially at the top; look for the granite seat for two that someone construction near the top |
SQUARE LEDGE
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
1.0 miles
round-trip |
Moderate |
Square Ledge provides fine views from a rocky ledge; while you are in the area, you can also combine with a visit to nearby Lost Pond (hike Square Ledge last since it has better views); to reach the ledge, take the Lost Pond Trail from the AMC Pinkham Notch Center and then following signs to Square Ledge |
WELCH & DICKEY LOOP
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
4.5 mile loop |
Moderate |
Welch & Dickey is only two hours north of Boston, and this loop has fantastic views; this is absolutely one of the top 10 "bang for the buck" hikes in New England; do not hike this loop when wet or icy since the open slabs will be very slippery; trailhead access is near Waterville Valley; do NOT attempt in poor weather; arrive early as the parking lot fills up quickly |
WEST RATTLESNAKE
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
1.8 miles
round-trip |
Easy / Moderate |
West Rattlesnake offers one of the best lake views to be found anywhere in New England; located north of Squam Lake; access to the viewpoint is via the moderately steep Old Bridle Path; photographs never do this place justice, so you'll just have to make a visit yourself; this trail is closed for most of April and May each year due to the "mud season" |
ZEALAND FALLS / ZEALAND FALLS HUT
| STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
5.0 miles
round-trip |
Easy / Moderate
(more difficult in winter) |
When Zealand Road is open (typically mid-May to mid-October), hiking to Zealand Falls and the AMC Zealand Falls Hut makes for a very pleasant outing with only a modest amount of elevation gain near the end; en route to the falls and hut, you'll walk past beaver ponds; the waterfall is best viewed after heavy rains or early in the spring (May-ish time-frame); lodging is available at the hut, but advance reservations are required; hiking here when Zealand Road is closed requires a 12.5 mile round-trip hike; the waterfall is just below the hut, and you must take a short spur trail to see it; don't miss views from a side path that is next to the hut |
RUNNER-UPS
Each of the following hikes was a close contender for making the Top 25 list above. I highly recommend each of these hikes as well.
Another one that may potentially be added to this list is Mt. Israel in Sandwich. I have not personally hiked that mountain yet, but I hear good things.
| TRAIL / HIKE |
STATE |
TOTAL MILEAGE |
DIFFICULTY |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| Crystal Cascade |
NH |
0.6 miles |
Easy |
this waterfall on the eastern slopes of Mt. Washington is one of New England's finest; hike to the falls using the Tuckerman Ravine Trail from the AMC Pinkham Notch Center on NH 16 north of Jackson; arrive early (before 8am) or late in the day (after 3 or 4pm) for one of the parking spots close to trailhead |
| Glen Ellis Falls |
NH |
0.6 miles |
Easy |
this is a beautiful 64-foot plunge waterfall in Pinkham Notch off NH 16; there are stairs that bring you down to the base of the falls that can be very slippery when wet or icy, so be careful; there are more waterfalls downstream, although there is no official trail |
| Greeley Ponds (Upper & Lower) |
NH |
4.4 miles |
Moderate |
this is a lovely set of remote ponds between the Kancamagus Highway and Tripoli Road; this is an excellent snowshoeing trip; most folks will hike to the ponds using the Greeley Ponds Trail trailhead on the Kancamagus Highway |
| Iron Mountain / Iron Mountain cliffs |
NH |
3.2 miles |
Moderate |
the views of Mt. Washington and the southern Presidential Range near the trailhead of this hike are great; the views from the cliffs a short distance beyond the summit are also great; the trailhead is on Iron Mountain Road, which is off NH 16 |
| Little East Pond / East Pond Loop |
NH |
5.0 miles |
Moderate |
this loop hike off Tripoli Road visits a pair of lovely ponds, including one of my favorites in the Whites: East Pond |
| Middle Mountain |
NH |
5.0 miles |
Moderate |
Middle Mountain and Peaked Mountain are two mountains just to the east of North Conway (they are visible from many places along NH 16 in North Conway); if you hike both of these peaks together, it will be more than 5.0 miles round-trip; the trailhead for both of these peaks is on Thompson Road; here is a trail map of the Green Hills Reserve |
| Mount Tecumseh (via Waterville Valley resort trailhead) |
NH |
5.0 miles |
Moderate / Difficult |
Mt. Tecumseh is arguably the best choice for your first "4000-footer" hike in New Hampshire; the trailhead connects with a parking lot within the Waterville Valley ski area; this is an excellent winter snowshoer, but you have to watch out for the occasional backcountry off-trail skiers and snowboarders; views from the summit of Mt. Tecumseh are very good these days because somebody illegally cut down some trees that were starting to restrict the views |
| North & South Doublehead loop |
NH |
4.0 mile semi-loop |
Moderate / Difficult |
this is a steep and sometimes overgrown hike up to several great viewpoints; the loop hike also visits one of the US Forest Service historic cabins (which can be rented in advance); take note that the Doublehead Ski Trail (which is the trail many will hike up) makes for an excellent backcountry ski/snowboard trail in winter |
| Peaked Mountain |
NH |
4.4 miles |
Moderate |
Middle Mountain and Peaked Mountain are two mountains just to the east of North Conway (they are visible from many places along NH 16 in North Conway); if you hike both of these peaks together, it will be more than 5.0 miles round-trip; the trailhead for both of these peaks is on Thompson Road; here is a trail map of the Green Hills Reserve |
| Rattlesnake Flume & Pool |
ME |
2.2 miles |
Easy |
this is an extremely enjoyable hike to one of the finest swimming holes in the White Mountains (although it is typically very cold); access is via a side road off NH 113 in Evans Notch |
| Ripley Falls |
NH |
1.2 miles |
Easy / Moderate |
this gorgeous 100-foot tall waterfall is a slight detour off the Appalachian Trail; in recent years, it has become popular for local rock climbing guides to rappel people down the falls |
| Sawyer Pond (via Sawyer Pond Rd trailhead) |
NH |
4.0 miles |
Easy / Moderate |
this hike from Sawyer Pond Road visits one of the most peaceful and scenic ponds in the White Mountains; there's a shelter available near the edge of the pond for overnight guests (free; first come, first-served) |
OTHER LISTS BY NEWENGLANDWATERFALLS.COM
Here are some more lists to help you enjoy the awesome hiking trails of the White Mountains region of New Hampshire and Maine.
- Top 10 Hikes in the White Mountains = link
- Top 25 Hikes in the White Mountains = link
- Top 25 Waterfalls in the White Mountains = link
- Hiking New Hampshire's 4000-Footers = link
- Hiking New Hampshire's 52 Peaks With A View List = link
- Hiking Trails of North Conway, New Hampshire = link
- Backpacking New Hampshire = link
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