Best Easy Hikes for Young Kids
Kid-friendly hikes should be easy to stroll along with clearly marked trails, rest stops, and areas where you can enjoy a picnic lunch. The path to Pack Monadnock in the Miller State Park, Peterborough, takes you to a fire tower where you can enjoy stunning views from the top. If your kids are too small for this you can also drive over for a picnic at the summit.
The Sabbaday Falls can be reached by traversing the Kancamagus Highway that links Conway and Lincoln. Take your kids over the bridge that spans the falls so they can enjoy the views. If you would like to introduce your kids to the Native American way of living, plan a family hiking trail to the wigwams at the Beaver Brook Association in Hollis.
The Winnipesaukee River trail in Franklin is another great hiking option for young kids. This 5-mile trail runs alongside the Winnipesaukee River and contains many historical and cultural sites including The Sulphite Bridge, an upside down railroad bridge on the National Register of Historic sites, as well as remains of old paper mills. It also offers a view of a beautiful gorge that is often used for whitewater kayaking.
Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails for Pre-Teen Kids
Mount Monadnock located in Jaffrey stands between Nashua and Keene, and takes its name from the phrase "the mountain that stands alone” in the Abenaki language. You’re likely to encounter lots of other families trekking up the slopes of the mountain, which offer views as far as Boston on a sunny day. When choosing kid-friendly hikes, you’ll want trails that have plenty of spots for relaxing. Mount Major in Alton is one such trail that offers superb vistas of the Lake Winnipesaukee.
Should you choose to visit the Franconia Notch State Park, you can pick up the Lonesome Lake Trail that ends on a lovely beach. However, if it’s waterfalls you’re looking for, head to the tallest cascade in the Granite State, the Arethusa Falls in Fabyan. The hike up Mount Willard in Whitefield is another favorite kid-friendly hike. Enjoy sweeping views of the Presidential Range and Crawford Notch from the top.
Family Hiking Trails for Teenagers
With their endless energy and enthusiasm, having teenage kids along on your family hiking holiday is a unique experience in and of itself. Choose one of the easy hikes to Odiorne State Park in Rye that is perfect for all age groups. You can also stop by the World War II bunkers and end your trip at the Seacoast Science Center.
The Pawtuckaway State Park in Nottingham with its dense forests and a scattering of massive glacial erratics is another perfect location for a hike. The trail will take you through marshlands, over hills, and conclude at the Pawtuckaway beach where you can go swimming.
So, go ahead and get your hiking gear ready for a summer of explorations at some of the most beautiful locations in New Hampshire.