10 Brief But Beautiful Hikes In New Hampshire You Can Take In Under An Hour
It’s truly beginning to sound a lot more like spring these days. And with that, all we want to do is go outside. While we’re excited about all things outdoors, the weather isn’t entirely on our side just yet. But that doesn’t mean we can’t explore. Our recommendation is to start with a shorter hike so that you’re out and back before the weather turns. We’ve compiled some great trails that are all under one-hour. Enough time to enjoy the outdoors without committing to all-day on the trails.
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There's a good reason Mount Cardigan is so popular – it's so very hikeable! even for older children, and the sights from the top are just plain stunning. The loop trail is about 3 miles, with around 1,100 feet of elevation gain.
Big Rock Cave Trail, near Tamworth, is a looped trail that covers about 3.5 miles of beautiful land.
While called a "mountain" there really isn't too much to be daunted by. This is a very doable hike, just over half a mile each way. It has great views from the top of the trail, and in August you'll find plenty of ripe blueberries growing alongside the paths on your way!
You'l find three trails here and two of them are well-under two miles making them super accessible for even the most beginner hiker. Locke’s Local Loop and Watson’s Way are loop routes that are each about 1.5 miles in total. We love both Locke's Local and Watson's Way for their ease in navigating and short distance. They're great for little legs and those who are just looking for a short trip into nature before returning to a bustling day. Get all the detailshere.
This beautiful 1.8 mile loop trail in the Kimball Wildlife Forest is actually pretty simple. It's got just 418 feet of elevation gain, making it perfect for families! Once you reach the top, you'll enjoy views of Lake Winnipesaukee and beyond that stretch for miles.
This perfect trail is less than 2 miles out and back. It includes some climbing, but after that you'll end up at the most incredible overlook of Squam Lake.
The Artists Bluff trail is about 1.5 miles leading to an extraordinary overlook in Franconia Notch State Park. Artists Bluff is about 2,368 ft high which means the hike is steep, but the shorter distance makes it a bit easier on the legs despite some rocky uphill portions. The views of Echo Lake and Cannon Mountain at the top are totally worth it. Learn more here.
This wonderfully fun trail is near North Conway and it's just a short two miles lomg. If will provide great view of the White Mountains and the Presidential Range.
This beautiful loop trail is just over 3 miles, and while it has some rocky spots, it'll all be worth it when you reach the magnificent sight of Lonesome Lake.
These beautiful falls are one of the most popular waterfalls in New Hampshire, and for good reason. It's an easy walk of about a quarter mile to get to the falls, and once you do you'll be rewarded with a real stunner. Learn more about it here.
For more great hikes, check out some of our favorite waterfall hikes in New Hampshire.
