How to Find Hiking Trails in the White Mountains

The White Mountains of New Hampshire and nearby Maine may well be the most spectacular mountains of the Northeast, for the summits of many of these mountains rest high above the timberline. Alpine hiking is a very strenuous activity that may be beyond the reach of many outdoor enthusiasts, but there are ample opportunities below timberline for hiking, camping, picnicking and swimming.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Hiking boots
• Insect repellent
• Day pack
• Swimsuit
• Map and compass
• Flashlight
• Water
• Poncho
• Warm clothes (an extra change)

1. Visit the White Mountain National Forest ranger station just outside the town of Conway. It is located at the head of the Kancamagus Highway. The rangers will provide a wealth of information. Here, you can learn about anything from fire danger to interpretative nature programs. Also, plenty of information is available about short, low-elevation hiking trails.

2. Stop by the AMC Visitor Center in Pinkham Notch. It is located on New Hampshire State Highway 16 between Jackson and Gorham. They have a large 3-D map of the Mount Washington area, which should be viewed by every hiker to get a feeling for the rugged nature of the region. The AMC is a non-profit organization that sponsors many activities such as guided hikes and lectures. There is a good bookstore/gift shop here, as well as a popular café and cafeteria.

3. Take a day hike on the Appalachian Trail, which runs through the heart of the White Mountains. The best place to jump on the trail is along Route 302, as the road heads through Crawford Notch. Take a short walk heading south towards Ethan Ponds for a feel of what the trail is like.

4. Drive the Kancamagus Highway. This is a scenic two-lane highway that runs between Conway and Lincoln, New Hampshire. It runs through the Sandwich Mountains, and you will find along the side of the highway good swimming, camping, hiking and picnicking. Check with the National Forest in advance to decide which activity is best suited for your purposes.

5. Spend the night at a classic hotel or mountain retreat. Not only are these places fun to stay at, but also they provide a lot of useful information and also sponsor group activities, which may be fun. The White Mountains are very old as far as recreational areas go and as a result there are some grand old hotels around from the early days of tourism, which date back to the 1800’s. The hotels at Bretton Woods, Glen House and the Eastern Slope Inn, which is located in North Conway are just a few.

Tips & Warnings

• Brings lots of water on a day hike.

• Don't try to cover too much distance in one day.

• There are some great swimming places along the Kancamagus Highway in the Swift River, but be careful and don't swim alone.

• Be careful at higher elevations, for weather conditions can rapidly change, especially in summer.