The 6 Best Evans Notch Hikes

Evans Notch is one of the lesser-known notches in the White Mountains because most of it technically is in Maine. This notch is a bit further away from the popular attractions in the White Mountains, so many people do not venture into it. It is the reason it is one of my favorite areas to hike! Beautiful trails and fewer crowds are my favorite recipe!

Although you can enjoy stunning views from the scenic drive, hiking is one of the best ways to experience everything Evans Notch offers! The views from each mountain are unmatched and will take your breath away. Most trails range from moderate to strenuous but are worth the effort. This guide has everything you need to know about the best Evans Notch hikes to add to your bucket list.

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Tips for Hiking in Evans Notch

The trails in Evans Notch are rugged. They have roots and rocks, so it is crucial to have supportive shoes with traction. Even the easy hikes have obstacles.
The weather in the mountains can change quickly. The White Mountains weather can be unpredictable, and Evans Notch is no different. It could be a sunny and warm day in the morning and change into a windy and rainy day within a few hours. It is essential to check the weather before starting the hike.
Make sure to have a trail map. Evans Notch does not have cellphone service, so it is crucial to pack a physical trail map or have an offline one. Having a map is also helpful since it can be easy to get off track because Evans Notch has many interconnecting trails.
Evans Notch is closed in the winter. Most of the road in Evans Notch is closed in the winter. You can still access some trails, but most you cannot reach by car.
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

What to Pack for Hiking in Evans Notch

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

Evans Notch Trail Map

The Best Evans Notch Hikes

Although there are many Evans Notch hikes, the ones I mention below are a few of my favorites! Each mountain has multiple trails, allowing you to have many options for hiking each. I will share a few of my favorite trails for each!

West and East Royce Mountains

Length: 5 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet

Difficulty: Strenuous

West and East Royce Mountains are in the northern section of Evans Notch that are often hiked together. West Royce was on the 52 With a View list but was removed in recent years. In my opinion, Easy Royce has the better views and should not be missed!

The 5-mile trail is a great hike to get a sweat on! The first mile to East Royce gains over 1,500 feet of elevation, making the trail very steep. This section makes you work for the views, but the effort is worth it once you reach East Royce Mountain. The views overlooking the White Mountains and east into Maine are spectacular!

The trail follows down to the trail junction and continues on a pretty flat path before gaining a bit of elevation as it approaches West Royce Mountain. West Royce Mountain Offers beautiful views looking east into the surrounding mountains. Once you hike to the West and East Royce Mountains, you will quickly realize why it is one of the best Evans Notch hikes!

Baldface Circle Loop

Length: 9.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 3,500 feet

Difficulty: Strenuous

The Baldface Circle Loop is one of the most popular Evans Notch hikes because the views are spectacular, and it passes over three mountains on the 52 With a View List. But do not let its popularity fool you! This loop is one of the most strenuous hikes in Evans Notch. If you are up for a challenging adventure, the Baldface Circle Loop will not disappoint!

The 9.5-mile loop begins near the southern entrance to Evans Notch and travels on a fairly flat trail to Emerald Pool. Emerald Pool is a popular swimming spot because the waters are clear and bright blue. You can swim in it on the way back to your car. The trail after Emerald Pool splits, and I recommend following the loop clockwise to ascend the ledges. The ledges are steep and can be difficult to descend.

The trail climbs steadily for the next 2 miles before ascending steeply to the summit of South Baldface. The views from South Baldface are unmatched and will take your breath away! The trail goes back into the woods before climbing to North Baldface. The views from this summit are the best on the loop, making the effort worth it! The trail then continues down to the trail junction to Eagle Crag before continuing straight on the Meader Ridge Trail to the summit of Eagle Crag, offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.

The Baldface Circle Loop travels back to the Baldface Circle Trail Junction and continues to descend towards Emerald Pool. This challenging hike in Evans Notch will quickly become one of your favorites!

Bonus: You can also add Eastman Mountain onto the loop to grab another mountain on the 52 With a View List. It adds about 2 miles round trip to the hike, making the loop about 11.5 miles.

baldface circle trail hiking guide

Blueberry Mountain Loop

Length: 4 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Blueberry Mountain is one of the lesser-hiked mountains in Evans Notch, but it does not lack beautiful views! I found this trail accidentally and fell in love with the fun loop!

The 4-mile loop begins at the Stone House Trailhead and follows a flat path along a driveway. This area is private property leading to a house, so it is crucial to only hike on the designated trail. After a few minutes, the loop turns onto the White Cairn Trail and begins to ascend toward Blueberry Mountain. This section gains almost 1,000 feet of elevation in a mile, so it has some steep sections as you approach the summit of Blueberry Mountain.

Once at the summit, I recommend following the loop around Blueberry Mountain to enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains. The summit has a few open ledges offering stunning views!

The loop then hikes down Stone House Trail, which is a gradual descent. Before the last mile of the trail, there is a short side trail to Rattlesnake Pool, which has bright-blue waters. The final stretch after the pool is mostly flat, and before you know it, you are back on the driveway heading towards the trailhead. Blueberry Mountain will quickly become one of your favorite hikes in Evans Notch!

Eastman Mountain

Length: 8.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,600 feet

Difficulty: Strenuous

Eastman Mountain is another mountain on the 52 With a View list in Evans Notch. The trail is a long hike through the woods, but the views at the summit make it worth the effort!

The 8.2-mile trail begins at the Baldface Circle Trailhead and follows along the Emerald Pool Trail before arriving at the Slippery Brook Trail Junction. It then begins to climb steadily toward the summit and has a few steep sections as it approaches the Eastman Mountain Trail Junction. It turns left onto Eastman Mountain Trail for the final push to the summit. Once on Eastman Mountain, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the White Mountains and into Maine.

The descent follows the same trail towards Emerald Pool and the parking lot. If you want to enjoy a dip in clear water, I recommend stopping at Emerald Pool on your way back to swim. It is a popular swimming spot and a great place to cool off after a challenging hike in Evans Notch!

Speckled Mountain

Length: 6 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Speckled Mountain is one of my favorite Evans Notch hikes because the views are stunning at the summit. A few trails lead to the summit of Speckled Mountain, and my favorite is the one via Spruce Hill Trail because it is the most direct route.

The 6-mile trail begins across the street from the East Royce Trailhead, and the first 1.5 miles gradually ascends to Spruce Hill with a few steep sections. Once past Spruce Hill, the trail flattens out and follows through a beautiful forest. The trail then gradually gains elevation as it approaches Speckled Mountain. Once at the summit, you get stunning views looking into the White Mountains, and on a clear day, you can see Mount Washington! Although it does not have 360-degree views, you will not be disappointed.

Once you hike Speckled Mountain, you will quickly see why it is one of my favorite hikes in Evans Notch!

Alternative Trail: If you want a longer trail to Speckled Mountain, you can hike a 9.4-mile loop from Brickett Place. The loop also goes over Blueberry Mountain.

Mud Brook and Caribou Loop

Length: 6.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet

Difficulty: Moderate/strenuous

Mud Brook and Caribou Loop is a fun hike in Evans Notch with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The 6.6-mile loop begins in the northern section of Evans Notch and immediately arrives at a trail junction. The trail has several brook crossings that can be difficult to cross when the water is high, but usually, you can rock-hop across them. I recommend hiking counterclockwise to ascend the steep sections. The trail is pretty gradual until the last mile as it approaches Caribou Mountain. Caribou Mountain offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains!

The loop continues counterclockwise along Mud Brook Trail and gradually descends back towards the parking lot. The descent feels longer than it is, but it is more gradual than taking the Caribou Trail back. You will quickly fall in love with this beautiful hike in Evans Notch!

If you want to hike in Evans Notch, this guide is the perfect place to start planning! It has everything you need to know about the best Evans Notch hikes to add to your bucket list.