Summer is a fantastic time to head outside and explore the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We're lucky to have some of the most beautiful hiking trails in America right here in our backyard, and our real estate agents are eager to share their favorites. 

Whether you're looking for a gentle afternoon stroll or a challenging ascent to a lofty mountain summit, you'll find the perfect hike in New Hampshire. If you have kids in tow, start with one of these family-friendly hikes in the White Mountains. 

• Mount Willard - Crawford Notch Road, Carroll, NH 03812
  Located just outside Crawford Notch near these Carroll homes for sale, Mount Willard offers a great summit view without too much thigh-burning effort. The trail to the peak gains 895 feet in elevation over the course of a 3.1-mile out-and-back hike. It might be a little much for very young children, but most kids will have a great time tackling this moderately challenging route. Just be sure to keep an eye on little ones at the top, as there is a ledge with a steep drop. Parking for the Mount Willard Trail is available at the Crawford Depot train station on Crawford Notch Road. 
  
  
• Diana's Baths - 3725 West Side Road, Bartlett, NH 03812
  Generally considered an easy hike, the trail to Diana's Baths is a flat, well-maintained path leading to a series of pools and cascades on Lucy Brook. The hike is just 1.1 miles out and back, making it doable for kids of all ages, and the trail's dirt and gravel surface makes it accessible for most strollers as well. It's a popular trail close by these Bartlett homes for sale, so get there early to beat the crowds on a warm summer day. 
  
  
• Boulder Loop Trail - Passaconaway Road, Albany, NH 03818
  The Boulder Loop Trail is another excellent option if you're looking for expansive views without too much effort. While it would be a stretch to call this 3.7-mile loop easy, it's, at most, a moderately challenging hike. The trail skirts the shoulder of 1,939-foot Spruce Hill within White Mountain National Forest, and leashed pets are welcome. The Boulder Loop is an interpretive trail with signs that provide insight into the varied forest habitat and unique boulder fields along the way. Visit these Albany homes for sale nearby after your hike.
  
  
• Arethusa Falls - 41 Arethusa Falls Road, Hart's Location, NH 03812
  A charming hike with a view of a picturesque waterfall, the Arethusa Falls Trail is a great, family-friendly option in the White Mountains. Starting at a trailhead just off Route 302, a few miles south of the Mount Willard Trail, the hike parallels Bemis Brook until it reaches the base of the cascade, which tumbles 160 feet down a craggy rock face. Near these Hart's Location homes for sale, the Arethusa Falls Trail is a 2.8-mile out-and-back hike offering some lovely scenery for minimal effort. It can also form a more challenging 4.9-mile loop with a view of Frankenstein Cliff. 
  
  
• Lonesome Lake Trail - 2 Franconia Notch State Park, Franconia, NH 03580
  Cutting a path through serene woodlands before encircling its namesake lake, the Lonesome Lake Trail is one of several excellent family-friendly hikes within Franconia Notch State Park. The trailhead is footsteps from the state park's campground, and it gains 1,030 feet in elevation during the 3-mile round-trip, making it a moderately challenging trek. The scenery is worth the effort, and you'll likely encounter several other hikers on this popular route. Tour these Franconia homes for sale if you'd like to live nearby.

The White Mountains are just one of the many features that make New Hampshire a special place to call home. Contact us today to learn more about life in New Hampshire.