The 7 Best Hikes Near Lake Winnipesaukee
Many people visit Lake Winnipesaukee to enjoy its beautiful waters, but there are many beautiful and fun hikes near it for all levels! The Lakes Region in New Hampshire is home to some of the most beautiful lake views in the state.
If you want to hike near Lake Winnipesaukee, you should add these hikes to your bucket list. This guide reviews everything you need to know for hiking near Lake Winnipesaukee, including tips, what to pack, and the best hikes!
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Tips For Hiking Near Lake Winnipesaukee
Get to the trailheads early. Lake Winnipesaukee is a popular summer and fall vacation spot, so many of these trails have crowds. The parking lots to the hikes near Lake Winnipesaukee can fill up by 8 am, so I recommend starting your day early to secure a spot.
Don’t underestimate these hikes. Although the Lakes Region isn’t home to the tallest mountains in New Hampshire, they are still rugged and have steep sections. I recommend packing the appropriate hiking gear, food, and water, so you are prepared for the hikes. We will talk about what to bring in the next section!
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Many of these trailheads have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away when you finish the hike. 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
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.
The Best Hikes Near Lake Winnipesaukee
Mount Major
Trail: Main Trail > Boulder Loop Trail
Length: 3.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Mount Major is one of the most popular hikes near Lake Winnipesaukee because it has stunning views. If you want to hike it, make sure to arrive at the trailhead as early as you can to secure a parking spot!
The two most popular loops are Brook Trail to Main Trail and Main Trail to Boulder Loop Trail. The Brook Trail is a more gradual ascent, while the Main Trail is the most direct and steep route. I enjoy ascending on Main Trail and descending on Boulder Loop Trail.
Every trail gains over 1,000 feet of elevation, so there are a few steep sections along each route, some of which are on exposed rock as you approach the summit. I promise the effort is worth it for the stunning views!
Lockes Hill
Trail: Lakeview Trail > Quarry Trail
Length: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Lockes Hill is an easy hike near Lake Winnipesaukee that has stunning views of the lake. If you are looking for the perfect trail for all levels, Lockes Hill is perfect!
The most common way to hike Lockes Hill is as a loop, ascending on Lakeview Trail and descending on Quarry Trail. Lakeview Trail is the most direct route to Lockes Hill and gains 400 feet of elevation in under a mile, so it’s better to ascend it, in my opinion.
The effort will pay off once you reach Lockes Hill and see the sweeping views of Lake Winnipesaukee. Lockes Hill is a fantastic hike near Lake Winnipesaukee for anyone looking for an easy trail with stunning views!
Belknap Mountain
Trail: Warden’s Trail (Green) > Red Trail
Length: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 700 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Belknap Mountain is a beautiful hike near Lake Winnipesaukee that has a fire tower. The fire tower offers incredible 360-degree views overlooking the surrounding mountains and lakes.
There are a few trails to Belknap Mountain, and the most commonly hiked are the Green Trail and the Red Trail. The most common way to hike Belknap Mountain is as a loop, and I recommend ascending Green Trail because it is steeper.
The Green Trail gains about 700 feet in 0.8 miles, so it is a constant incline, but it pays off once you reach the summit. Belknap Mountain does not offer any views unless you hike the fire tower, which will leave you in awe!
Red Hill
Trail: Red Hill Trail > Cabin Trail
Length: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
If you are looking for another fire tower hike near Lake Winnipesaukee, Red Hill is perfect! The Red Hill Fire Tower is the most popular fire tower hike near Lake Winnipesaukee because it has beautiful views. Because it is popular, I recommend arriving as early as you can to secure a parking spot!
The most common way to hike Red hill is ascending Red Hill Trail and descending Cabin Trail, although you can hike either one as an out-and-back. Both trails are a constant incline to the fire tower, so be prepared to feel the burn! Once you reach Red Hill, you can climb the fire tower and take in the stunning views. Red Hill will quickly become one of your favorite easy hikes near Lake Winnipesaukee!
Mount Morgan and Mount Percival
Trail: Mount Morgan Trail > Crawford Ridgepole Trail > Mount Percival Trail
Length: 5.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
The Mount Morgan and Mount Percival Loop is one of the most popular hikes in the area. The trail is one of the most fun and unique trails in the area, in my opinion!
Usually, hikers follow the route clockwise, ascending Mount Morgan first because it is easier to ascend the ladders section. Following the loop clockwise, you descend through the caves after Mount Percival, which is fun for adventurous souls! You also have the option of skipping the ladders and caves.
Both summits offer incredible views overlooking the surrounding lakes and mountains, so the Mount Morgan and Mount Percival Loop will become one of your favorite hikes near Lake Winnipesaukee.
Gunstock Mountain
Trail: Gunstock Mountain Trail (Orange)
Length: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
You may know Gunstock Mountain as a ski resort, but you may not know that you can also hike it on the opposite side! A few trails lead to Gunstock Mountain, with the most commonly hiked one being the Gunstock Mountain Trail (also known as Orange Trail).
The Orange Trail gains about 1,200 feet of elevation in a mile, so it has a constant and steep incline to the summit. The hard work will pay off once you reach the summit of Gunstock Mountain and take in the views! There are many viewpoints on the summit, and my favorite is near the ski trails. If you are looking for a short hike that will give you a good workout and beautiful views, Gunstock Mountain is for you!
Mount Roberts
Trail: Mount Roberts Trail
Length: 5.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,350 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Mount Roberts is a stunning hike near Lake Winnipesaukee and offers incredible views from numerous ledges along the trail. You can hike Mount Roberts as an out-and-back via Mount Roberts Trail, which begins near the Castle in the Clouds. It starts easy and then climbs steeply towards the summit for the last 1.5 miles.
I highly recommend taking your time on the hike and stopping at every open ledge to take in the views because they are better than the summit. Mount Roberts has views of the surrounding mountains that you can see if you are standing. The open ledge views make Mount Roberts one of the best hikes near Lake Winnipesaukee!
There are many beautiful hikes near Lake Winnipesaukee! If you are looking to hike near Lake Winnipesaukee, this guide will help you find the best hikes in the area!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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