Hiking & Climbing Trails

From leisurely strolls along quiet woodland paths to death-defying ascents up steep granite cliffs, New Hampshire offers hikers and climbers an astounding variety of terrain.

Bear Brook State Park, Allenstown:

Forty miles of trails through the heavily forested park, leading to seldom visited marshes, bogs, summits and ponds, offer a variety of options for hikers.

Cardigan State Park, Orange:

The 5,655 acre park has roads on the west slope of Mount Cardigan as well as a trail to the summit. Mount Cardigan's 3,121-foot treeless granite summit. Views Mt. Monadnock and the White Mountains, Camel's Hump in Vermont, and Pleasant Mountain in Maine.

Crawford Notch State Park, Hart's Location:

Hikes to unique cliffs and brisk waterfalls including the highest in the state, Arethusa Falls. Most trails leave the park and enter the White Mountain National Forest.

Dixville Notch State Park, Dixville Notch:

Moderate to more difficult hiking trails lead to waterfalls, scenic views, Table Rock and nearby mountains.

Franconia Notch State Park, Franconia:

Park provides access to many popular trails leading into the National Forest. Trails range from moderate to difficult.

Goffstown Rail Trail:

A quiet, healthy, and safe walking and bike path connecting the towns of Pinardville, Grasmere and Goffstown Village.

Miller State Park, Peterborough:

Three main hiking trails ascend Pack Monadnock to the summit. The best known is the Wapack Trail, which is a 21-mile footpath that extends from Mt. Watatic in Ashburnham, Massachusetts to North Pack Monadnock in Greenfield.

Moose Brook State Park, Gorham:

Many of the trails in this park were laid out and built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's.

Northwood Meadows State Park, Northwood:

The trails in the park are easy to moderate and some are "handicapped accessible."

Pillsbury State Park, Washington:

Pillsbury State Park is a link in the Monadnock - Sunapee Greenway. Pillsbury offers easy to moderate hiking in a fairly remote setting.

Pisgah State Park, Winchester/Chesterfield/Hinsdale:

Multiple maintained trails and trailheads offers families easy to moderate hiking.

Sunapee State Park, Newbury:

Sunapee is the northern terminus of the Monadnock - Sunapee Greenway. Many interesting trails lead to Sunapee's summit.

Windham Rail Trail, Windham:

This paved scenic trail provides a smooth path for pedestrians, runners and bicyclists. The Rockingham Trail is a 4.1 Mile section that starts from the intersection of Routes 111 and 28 in Salem continuing to a point on North Lowell Road, Windham.

Winnipesaukee River trail, Franklin:

A 3-mile trail parallels the Winnipesaukee River and passes the historic Sulphite upside down covered bridge believed to be the only one in the country and listed on the national register of historic places. You will also view mill ruins and remaining portions of dams that tell the history of the 5 mills that operated on this river in the mid 19th century. The trail is open to all non motorized users and runs from the historic rail road trestle in Franklin to the Surrett Battery property just off Park Street in Northfield. In that area you can also view the collection of antique rail cars and cabooses that operate on the local scenic railway.