A simple stroll to a scenic overlook. A peaceful ramble through the countryside. A daredevil free solo up the granite face of El Capitan. A hike can be whatever you want it to be. But when it comes to family-friendly hiking, well, it's best to steer clear of anything too challenging or extreme. The last thing you want to hear when you're trying to enjoy the birdsong is "Mom . . . Dad, are we there yet?" Here are five White Mountain day hikes for happy wanderers of all ages.

Arethusa Falls: Crawford Notch, Route 302

This 3-mile (1.5 one-way) trek culminates with one of the most spectacular sights in the White Mountains—a gorgeous, 140-foot waterfall gracefully surging down serrated rock ledges to a rocky pool below. Perfect for families and novice hikers, the trail features a quick, 800-foot elevation. The easy terrain and stunning payoff makes Arethusa Falls one of the most popular day hikes in the White Mountains.

Black Cap Path: North Conway, Route 16

Black Cap Path is a 2.4-mile trail that sleepily winds through beech and spruce forests. Unlike the more popular trails in the White Mountains, you won't find any Mount Everest-like traffic jams on Black Cap, so if you want to get away from it all (including hikers wielding selfie-sticks), this moderate trek is a good choice.

Mount Willard: Crawford Notch, Route 302

This moderate 3.2-mile hike has an elevation of 2,815 feet, and the view from the summit is one of the best in the White Mountains. The panoramic shot features views of Mount Willey and Mount Webster, and between the two is Crawford Notch, a deep glacial gorge. The trek to the top of Mount Willard passes two streams and a waterfall, and for much of the hike you'll be on an abandoned carriage road (no need to pack the climbing ropes).

Artist's Bluff: Franconia Notch, I-93 Exit 34C

Featuring breathtaking views of Cannon Mountain, Mt. Lafayette, and Echo Lake, it's easy to see how Artist's Bluff got its name. It's "pretty as a picture," and if it wasn't for all the gear you packed for the kids, you might have stowed away the watercolors and easel and painted the view yourself. The 1.4-mile loop features a gradual incline and a classic New England summit. It's a heavily-trafficked area, so plan for an early morning trek.

Lonesome Lake: Franconia Notch, Lafayette Place

A short hike with a great reward, this well-marked trail ascends 1.6-miles up Cannon Mountain to Lonesome Lake. It's an easy trek but relatively steep, which makes the plunge into Lonesome Lake that much more enjoyable. From the lake there are stunning views of Franconia Ridge, Mt. Lincoln, Little Haystack, and the Cannonballs.