New Hampshire
This Trail in White Mountain National Forest is Worth the Climb
When considering a hike, many often look at the payoff. For photographers, this may be the views along the way, especially at a summit. Those looking to use a hike as a way to fulfill their daily exercise goal look for the length and difficulty of a trail. Some merely look for a flat, easy trail so they can pop on some headphones and zone out for a few hours. Others want a trail with some history and/or excitement along the way.
In truth, there are fewer people than one might expect who view hiking as a hobby and not as a means to an end. These people are actually surprisingly easy to spot, because these are the people who take those hard hikes that aren’t famous on social media and remain off the beaten path. The Hancock Trail in New Hampshire, as it happens, is a great example of such a hike that hobbyist hikers choose for the love of the activity.
The trail is located in the White Mountain National Forest, an area that was once one of the most remote in New Hampshire before a highway system was established. This remote status means that parking is free, but note that there are no bathrooms. It also means that the area is popular for camping and seasonal activities such as snowshoeing, so you may be surprised by how many locals and tourists visit the trail/area. Taking just over nine miles to complete, this loop hike is not for the faint of heart. Although when considering the trail as a whole, one could find it to be of moderate difficulty, the truth is that many miles of it are flat, but other parts are so steep that scrambling is required, and the hike does require 2,600 feet in elevation gain.
Hikers recommend doing this hike in a clockwise fashion. During the trek, which takes about six hours, you’ll walk through forests, pass over rivers, and scramble up mountains to reach two summits with pleasant views of the surrounding mountains before you loop back around to the parking lot. Although, as mentioned, good amounts of the trail are flat and other parts can be dangerous—especially on the South Mountain, where the rocks are known to be loose. To get up safely, it’s recommended to use the protruding roots as handholds if you find yourself in a particularly steep area. You can also bring hiking poles and, of course, wear sturdy footwear.
For those looking for pictures, the two summits offer lovely views, especially during fall foliage season. For those looking for a great workout, you’ve certainly got one. For those looking for an easy trail to listen to music and zone out on, well, it’s not an easy trail, but you could certainly still use your headphones. Finally, for those looking for excitement, this trail may be a bit long for you, but the steep sections are certainly a thrill in and of themselves. Then, for those hikers using this trail for the love of the hobby (perhaps looking for a bit of everything), it’ll be easy to enjoy the variety of experiences that the Hancock Trail and the surrounding White Mountain National Forest offer!
Ready to start planning your next trip? Try Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
On January 3, the United States military carried out what the administration called a “large-scale strike” in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, amid several reported explosions and aerial bombardment.
Tune in to Civics 101 during Here & Now on Thursday, January 8 for a special edition breaking down one of the most unprecedented events in recent international affairs. This segment begins at 1:40 p.m. EST.
Listen to NHPR on your radio, stream us online, or just ask your smart speaker to “play NHPR.” You can also listen to this special episode of Civics 101 on demand.
In this episode, hosts Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice break down the history, context, and legality of what’s unfolding now — and what it could mean for Venezuela, the United States, and international law.
New Hampshire
Federal child care funding is being frozen across the country. New Hampshire is at risk.
Former Alabama OL starter transferring to SEC rival
National Native helpline for domestic violence and sexual assault to open Alaska-specific service
Arizona HS football’s No. 1 2027 prospect has ASU, Miami high on list
Ole Miss basketball vs Arkansas live updates, score, start time, TV channel
California loses $160M for delaying revocation of 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses for immigrants
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
San Diego sues to stop border barrier construction
How Ukraine is shaping Europe’s response to Trump’s Greenland threats
GOP gearing up to face tough midterms. And, Pentagon reviews women in ground combat
Wyoming Supreme Court rules laws restricting abortion violate state constitution
How strong are Latin America’s military forces, as they face US threats?
-
World1 week agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
News1 week agoFor those who help the poor, 2025 goes down as a year of chaos
-
Science1 week agoWe Asked for Environmental Fixes in Your State. You Sent In Thousands.
-
Business1 week agoA tale of two Ralphs — Lauren and the supermarket — shows the reality of a K-shaped economy
-
Detroit, MI4 days ago2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
-
Politics1 week agoCommentary: America tried something new in 2025. It’s not going well
-
Politics1 week agoMarjorie Taylor Greene criticizes Trump’s meetings with Zelenskyy, Netanyahu: ‘Can we just do America?’
-
Health1 week agoRecord-breaking flu numbers reported in New York state, sparking warnings from officials