Grab your cameras and hiking boots. Take a short hike for some incredible views our majestic mountains and spectacular array of vibrant colors.
When’s the Best Time to Go?
The best time to go is Columbus Day weekend as this weekend tends to be peak foliage time every year to get those crimsons, tangerine oranges, and golden yellows.
The Hikes
Mt. Cardigan. Orange, NH. A quick hike up Mt. Cardigan offers you views of the White Mtns., Mt. Monadnock, and even Maine! Up and back on the Western trail takes about 1 1/2 hours; the loop takes about 3 or so. Directions here. Here’s a view on a foggy fall day. It was beautiful even then, I can only imagine what it’s like in the fall. Photo 2.
Gile’s Mtn. Norwich, VT. An easy 45 min to 1 hr. roundtrip hike to incredible views from a firetower. This is a fun hike to take little ones too. Lots of places with rock stairs. For directions and more about the trail see here. Here’s the view in summer, imagine it in the fall!
Mt. Ascutney. Perkinsville, VT. Hike the Weathersfield trail. It’s the favorite of the 7 trails on Mt. Ascutney. It’s long (for an occasional hiker like me) at 5.7 miles with lots of steady steep inclines (considered moderate to challenging). I remember asking myself when I’d get a break. However, with the waterfalls and incredible view from the top it’s so worth it. Just take your time and enjoy the relaxing ascent. Map.
Wright’s Mtn. Bradford, NH. There are 3.5 miles of trails at this mountain. The Wright Mtn. Trail people consider easy. It is 1.6 miles roundtrip with a beautiful view at the top and is well marked. Reviews. Directions and information about the trails. View in Fall.
French’s Ledges. Plainfield, NH. French’s Ledges has a network of trails. Take the red blaed French’s Ledges trail, which is 1.5 miles to see amazing views of Mt. Ascutney, Grantham, and Meriden. This is a popular trail among locals to hike. Trail info. There are multiple trail heads, but I always use the Plainfield School one. View in fall.
Want a list of New England’s Best Hikes from Lonely Planet? Try this list. Love the photos in it too.
Featured Photo Courtesy of Karoline Liley of KLiley Photography.
