HIKING

IN WATERVILLE VALLEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Nestled in the heart of the White Mountains, Waterville Valley is an ideal hiking destination. Home of the first network of trails in the United States, our town is surrounded by towering peaks including 5 of the White Mountain 4,000 footers. Dozens of hiking trails start right in the heart of town and lead to endless destinations including cliffs, waterfalls, flumes, rockslides, and stunning vistas. With trails ranging from old dirt roads to high alpine scrambles and everything in between, we have a trail for everyone here at Waterville Valley.

EASY HIKES

Hikes
Fletcher’s Cascade
Fletcher’s Cascade

This easy out and back hike heads up the Drakes Brook valley to the Fletchers Cascade, a picturesque series of chutes and ledges that begins on the boggy summit of Flat Mountain. This is a 3.2 mile out-and-back hike and takes approximately 1.5-2 hours.

Distance: 3.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 710 feet

Time: 1:30-2 hours

Read More →
Cascade Path
Cascade Path

This is an easy out and back trail to a stunning section of Slide Brook with waterfalls, scenic rapids and plunge pools.

Distance: 3 miles (round trip)

Elevation Gain: 540 feet

Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

Read More →
Big Pines
Big Pines

This is a short, easy out and back trail that leads to the banks of the Mad River where there are some enormous White Pine trees.

Distance: 1.8 miles (round trip)

Elevation Gain: 30 feet

Time: 40-60 minutes

Read More →
Smarts Brook Swimming hole
Smarts Brook Swimming hole

This is a very easy out and back hike that leads to a popular swimming hole just over a mile from Route 49.

Distance: 2.2 Miles (round trip)

Elevation Gain: 230 feet

Time: 40-60 minutes

Read More →
Elephant Rock Trail
Elephant Rock Trail

This short trail is the fastest, easiest way to hike up to the summit of Snow’s Mountain, offering stunning views of Mount Tecumseh and Mount Osceola. Plus, you can hike down while playing Snow’s Mountain 18-Hole Disc Golf Course!

Distance: 1 mile (1 way)

Time: 40-60 minutes

Elevation: 800 feet

Read More →
Mad River Path
Mad River Path

This short, easy trail closely parallels the Mad River, with two stairways up to a high steep-sided river bank, offering interesting river views. It also features a footbridge made out of large stepping stones.

Distance: 1 mile (one way)

Time: 30 minutes

Read More →

MODERATE HIKES

Hikes
Goodrich Rock Trail
Goodrich Rock Trail

Goodrich Rock Trail winds through a conifer forest to a field of large glacial erratic boulders. The trail ends by climbing a 20-foot ladder to the top of the largest glacial erratics in New England - Goodrich Rock. From Goodrich rock you can take in sweeping views of the Sandwich Mountain Range and the ski trails of Mount Tecumseh!

Distance: 4 miles

Elevation Gain: 740 feet

Time: 1:45 to 2:45 hrs

Greeley Ponds
Greeley Ponds

This is a moderate out and back trail that follows the Mad River Notch and leads to Greeley Ponds, a natural alpine pond and the headwaters of the Mad River. Greeley Ponds is known by locals as one Waterville’s best fishing spots!

Distance: 7.4 miles (round trip)

Elevation Gain: 670 feet

Time: 4-5 hours

Mount Osceola
Mount Osceola

This is a heavily used moderate out and back hike with steady ascending. It has outstanding views at the summit of Mt. Osceola [4340 ft.] You can also carry on and traverse the ridge to East Peak [4156 ft.].

Distance: 6.1 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,070 Feet

Time: 3-4 hours

Welch-Dickey Loop
Welch-Dickey Loop

This is a moderate hike that leads to the rocky summits of Welch and Dickey Mountains, offering stunning white mountain views in every direction.

Distance: 4 Miles (Loop)

Elevation Gain: 1,751 Feet

Time: 2-4 Hours

The Scaur
The Scaur

The Scaur is a rocky hill that juts out of the northeast portion of the Valley. It offers beautiful views of the Ski Area, the Valley, and the Mountains that encircle it.

Distance: 4.2 Miles

Elevation Gain: 583 Feet

Time: 1.5-2.5 Hours

Waterville Flume
Waterville Flume

Known to locals as one of the most underrated natural features in the White Mountains, the Waterville Flume is a gorge with 60+ foot walls cut into the mountains by Flume Brook.

Distance: 5.4 Miles (round trip)

Elevation Gain: 1,190 feet

Time: 2-4 Hours

ADVANCED HIKES

Hikes
Mount Tripyramid loop
Mount Tripyramid loop

The Tripyramid loop is a difficult hike. There are three summits: North Peak [4180 ft.], Middle Peak [4140 ft.], and South Peak [4100 ft.]. There are magnificent views from many points on this trail.

Distance: 10.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,903 feet

Time: 5-7 hours

Mount Tecumseh
Mount Tecumseh

This is a difficult rocky out and back trail that ascends Mount Tecumseh [4003] ft], offering beautiful views of the entire valley.

Distance: 4.9 Miles (round trip)

Elevation Gain: 2,283 feet

Time: 3-4 hours

LOOKING FOR MORE HIKES?

CHECK OUT HIKEWATERVILLEVALLEY.COM