Top 9 Hikes for Fall Foliage in New England
New England is renowned for having some of the best fall scenery in the United States, and there are several reasons for this reputation. Since New England is home to many trees including maples, oaks, birches, and beeches each has its own leaf color and characteristics. The wide diversity contributes to a rich canvas during the fall. Plus, cool nights and warm, sunny days during the fall create the ideal conditions for developing vibrant leaf colors and for hike enthusiasts. Outlined in this blog post are the top 9 hikes for fall foliage and experiencing the beauty of New England.
When experiencing the best hiking spots for fall foliage, timing is key. Plan your hikes on weekdays if possible. Weekends tend to be more crowded as many people take short trips to enjoy the fall foliage. Start your hikes early in the morning or later in the afternoon. This can help you beat the crowds who may be starting their hikes later. The peak foliage changes every year so be sure to check various news outlets and prediction calendars before booking your trip. Also, be aware of local events and festivals that might attract more people to specific areas. Additionally, please respect the Leave No Trace principles to preserve the beauty of these natural areas.
Hiking boots are a must!
Now let’s dive into the best New England fall hikes:
Franconia Ridge Loop, New Hampshire:
This challenging 8.6-mile hike in the White Mountains offers breathtaking views of vibrant fall foliage. It includes traversing the Franconia Ridge with views of Mount Lafayette, Mount Lincoln, and the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Please note, this is a popular hike year-round but especially in the fall.
Mount Monadnock, New Hampshire:
Taken somewhere in New Hampshire
Acadia National Park, Maine:
Mount Mansfield, Vermont:
Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, provides an excellent opportunity for leaf-peeping. The Sunset Ridge Trail offers incredible vistas. You can also drive to the summit on a 4.5 mile road. You can park at top and take in the views without even having to hike. The hike is a challenging 7.7-mile but worth all the views. If this hike doesn’t interest you there are other trails in this area including the Laura Cowles Trail, Lake Champlain, and the Taft Lodge.
Taken somewhere in Vermont
Mohawk Trail, Massachusetts:
Camel’s Hump, Vermont:
Camel’s Hump State Park offers a variety of trails with stunning views of Vermont’s fall foliage, including the challenging Monroe Trail and the easier Burrows Trail. The Monroe Trail is a steep 6.8-mile roundtrip hike that gains 2500 ft in elevation. The Burrows Trail is just over 2 miles and is a moderately difficult hike. Both are great options.
White Mountains National Forest, New Hampshire:
The White Mountains boast a multitude of hiking trails, such as the Kancamagus Highway’s hikes and the Flume Gorge Trail, both of which showcase the region’s vibrant autumn colors. I would suggest the Flume Gorge Trail because it is a 2.2 mile trail through a natural gorge and is unlike any of the other hikes listed. However, this hike is not dog-friendly.
River during the Hikes
Lumen Nature Retreat
Grafton Notch State Park, Maine:
Cascade Brook Trail, New Hampshire
A popular hike that has now become famous on Instagram is the Artist’s Bluff hike and although it is beautiful, especially during fall, you can expect crowds of people. I would suggest instead going to the Cascade Brook Trail which is still in the same area but is a lot less crowded and offers space to actually enjoy the hike. Plus, the trail includes a beautiful brook in the middle of it. When we hiked here, we spent the night at a beautiful glamping retreat called Lumen Nature Retreat about 20 minutes from the trail.
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