New England Travel

Ten fall New England hikes

By Legacy User

September 19, 2012

4 minutes to read

There is no better time of year than fall to hit the hiking trails of New England. Gone is the humidity of summer, swarming insects, and hazy visibility. In its place are cool crisp days and, of course, an ever changing array of colorful leaves. 
 
By Jeffrey Romano, Globe Correspondent
Doubletop Mountain, Maine
 Its prism-shaped, ledge-covered profile forms a perfect backdrop for photos when the areMount Katahdin, Baxter State Park, and the surrounding lakes and forests of northern Maine. 
Hike: Follow the Doubletop Mountain Trail 4.7 miles to reach scenes from the mountain’s south peak. An easier, but slightly less scenic, 6.6-mile round-trip hike to the top can be completed from Nesowadnehunk Field. 
Trailhead: Baxter State Park’s Kidney Pond Campground
Caribou Mountain, Maine
 Bubbling streams, tumbling waterfalls, and a rocky ridge with a limitless panorama dominated by the nearby Presidential Range make Caribou Mountain in Evans Notch the perfect place to savor autumn beauty. 
Hike: The 6.9-mile loop traverses the Caribou and Mud Brook trails. A moderately-difficult hike throughout. 
Trailhead: Located on Route 113 in Gilead, 5.8 miles north of the New Hampshire border
Mount Eisenhower, New Hampshire
 The domed summit of Mount Eisenhower is an ideal location to enjoy fall’s transition in the region’s highest elevations, and perhaps experience the season’s first snowfall. 
Hike: The 2.9-mile Edmands Path rises considerably. Continue on the Mount Eisenhower Loop Trail 0.4 mile to reach the high point and 360-degree views. 
Trailhead: Located on the Mount Clinton Road, 2.3 miles north of Route 302 in Bretton Woods
Mount Garfield, New Hampshire
 A long, but gradual ascent, the climb to Mount Garfield culminates atop a barren summit that provides sweeping views of the White Mountains. 
Hike: The 10-mile round-trip hike follows the Garfield and Garfield Ridge trails. 
Trailhead: Located on the Gale River Loop Road, 1.2 miles south from the road’s western entrance on Route 3 in Bethlehem.
Nancy Cascades, New Hampshire
 A great option for enjoying fall colors on an overcast day in the White Mountains, this is an excursion to impressive waterfalls on a lightly-traveled trail. 
Hike: The Nancy Pond Trail leads 1.6 miles to a crossing of Nancy Brook (may be difficult with high water) and then it proceeds 0.8 mile to the base of the cascading falls. 
Trailhead: Located on Route 302, 5.3 miles west of Bartlett.
Mount Hunger, Vermont
 At 3,539 feet, Mount Hunger showcases some of the finest views in Vermont year-round destination. This scenic, rock-covered mountain located east of Stowe is best visited in fall, when the surrounding valleys and peaks are covered in colors. 
Hike: Leading steeply 2.2 miles to the wide-open, south summit of the mountain, the Waterbury Trail is as rewarding as it is challenging. 
Trailhead: Located on Sweet Road in Waterbury.
Mount Ascutney, Vermont
 Standing alone and rising impressively above the Connecticut River Valley, Mount Ascutney commands sweeping views in all directions. 
Hike: The 2.7-mile Windsor and 3.2-mile Brownsville trails can be combined with a 1.2-mile road walk to complete a loop. Both trails rise steeply out of the valley, but moderate as they approach the mountain’s high point. 
Trailhead: The Windsor Trail is located on Route 44A and Brownsville Trail is located on Route 44.
The Beehive, Maine
 Short, but challenging, Acadia National Park’s Beehive Trail showcases awe-inspiring fall scenes on slopes rising steeply from the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean. The hike includes a stop at the Bowl, a pond nestled high in the mountain. 
Hike: Complete the 1.6-mile loop by following the Bowl and Beehive trails. Be sure to use the iron rungs to negotiate the mountain’s steep cliff-face. 
Trailhead: Located on Acadia National Park’s loop road
Alander Mountain, Massachusetts
 Dotted with picturesque towns and surrounded by rolling ridges of hardwood forests, the Berkshires are a must-visit autumn hiking destination. 
Hike: A 7.6-mile hike can be completed by following the Bash-Bish Gorge, South Taconic, and Bash-Bish Falls trails. Excellent views can be found along the ridge leading south to the mountain’s wide-open western summit. 
Trailhead: On Falls Road in the town of Mount Washington.
Tully Mountain, Massachusetts
 Located in central Massachusetts, Tully Mountain and its namesake pond offer a splendid autumn hiking venue. Try mountain hikes for beautiful views of the hills, or easy walks around the pond for alluring reflections and impressive shots of Doane’s Falls. 
Hike: Follow the Tully Trail west 2.2 miles to the summit’s scenic ledges, just below the mountain’s high point. You can also complete a 4.4-mile loop of the lake. 
Trailhead: On Route 32 in Royalston