The Best Hikes Near Plymouth NH
Plymouth is a beautiful town in New Hampshire near the White Mountains. Although it has a well-known college, it is less visited than its neighboring towns. But it does not lack things to do! Plymouth offers fun activities year-round, including skiing, swimming, and hiking.
One of the best ways to explore everything Plymouth offers is by hiking! The beautiful hikes near Plymouth will quickly become some of your favorite hikes in New Hampshire. Whether you want views of waterfalls, lakes, or mountains, the hikes near Plymouth have you covered. This guide has everything you need to know about the best hikes near Plymouth!
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Tips for Hiking Near Plymouth NH
Get to the trailhead early. Many hikes near Plymouth are popular and crowded, especially on the weekends. I recommend arriving at the trailhead early in the morning, so you can secure a parking spot and enjoy the trail with fewer people.
The hikes in Plymouth are rugged. The trails in Plymouth have roots and rocks, so it is important to wear supportive shoes with traction. Even the easy hikes have obstacles. If you want more information on the trail and its current conditions, you should read recent trail reviews.
The weather in Plymouth near the mountains can change quickly. The weather in the White Mountains is unpredictable. 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.
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 Near Plymouth NH
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 Plymouth NH
Plymouth Mountain
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet
Plymouth Mountain is a small but beautiful mountain in Plymouth and one of the best hikes in the town! The 3.6-mile round trip hike is short but steep and does not have many flat sections. The trail travels over Pike's Peak, which has the best views on the trail, overlooking the surrounding mountains. This short but steep trail is the perfect hike in Plymouth for those who do not want to travel too far outside the town to enjoy beautiful views!
Mount Tecumseh
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 5.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet
Mount Tecumseh is the baby of the 4,000-footers, standing at 4,003 feet tall! It is part of Waterville Valley and is one of the best hikes near Plymouth because the 5.2-mile round trip hike gives you views of the surrounding mountains.
Even though Mount Tecumseh is the smallest 4,000-footer, the trail gains about 2,200 feet of elevation. Mt Tecumseh Trail is the shortest and easiest trail to the summit and has a relentless climb. Although Mount Tecumseh has beautiful views, the best views, in my opinion, are from the ski area. The hike to the top of the ski area is about 0.7 miles from the summit and has some of the best views in the area!
Welch-Dickey Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 4.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet
The Welch-Dickey Loop is one of the most hiked trails in New Hampshire for good reasons! This beautiful hike near Plymouth offers breathtaking views of the White Mountains. Although it is one of the most hiked mountains, do not let that fool you into thinking the hike is easy!
The 4.4-mile round trip trail is rocky and has some steep exposed spots. But the effort is worth it for the views! Both summits have stunning views of the surrounding mountains, so I highly recommend hiking the entire loop. If you decide to hike the Welch-Dickey Loop, you must arrive at the parking area early. Since this is one of the most popular hikes, it becomes very crowded on the weekends in the summer. If you can snag a parking spot early, you will love this beautiful hike near Plymouth!
Rattlesnake Mountain
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Rattlesnake Mountain is a lesser-known hike near Plymouth but does not lack beautiful views. The 2.3-mile round trip hike is steep and will make you work for the views, but the effort is worth it once you reach the top! Rattlesnake Mountain offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valley and mountains and will make you fall in love with the hike. It is also a great sunset hike, and you will likely have the summit to yourself! When you visit Plymouth, make sure to add this beautiful hike to your itinerary!
Mount Cardigan
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet
Mount Cardigan is one of my favorite hikes near Plymouth because it has stunning 360-degree views. The most popular way to get to the summit is ascending via South Ridge Trail and descending West Ridge Trail, but you can also hike either trail as an out-and-back.
The 3-mile round trip hike to Mount Cardigan is not strenuous, but there are steep and exposed sections as you get closer to the summit, but I promise the effort is worth it for the stunning views! When you hike Mount Cardigan, you will quickly understand why it is one of the best hikes near Plymouth.
Stinson Mountain
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 4.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet
Stinson Mountain is on the southern tip of the White Mountains and is one of the best hikes near Plymouth. It is on the 52 With a View List, so you know the summit has beautiful views! The 4.1-mile round trip hike ascends gradually and is easy to follow to the top.
There used to be a fire tower on Stinson Mountain that was removed in the 1980s, but you can still see where it stood. At the top, Stinson Mountain offers views looking south towards Mount Cardigan and Plymouth and north toward Stinson Lake. You will love this beautiful hike near Plymouth!
Mount Morgan and Mount Percival
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 4.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
Mount Morgan and Mount Percival are also on the 52 With a View List, so you know they have stunning views! These two mountains can be hiked independently but are usually hiked as a fun 4.9-mile round trip loop. The trail is one of the most fun and unique trails in the area, in my opinion!
Mount Morgan Trail has a set of ladders leading to boulder caves, which is fun for adventurous souls! You also have the option of skipping the ladders, too. 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 Plymouth.
Rainbow Falls
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 120 feet
Rainbow Falls is a lesser-known waterfall in New Hampshire but does not lack beauty! The 25-foot waterfall is in the Walter-Newton Natural Area in Plymouth and requires a relatively easy hike to the falls. The 1.6-mile round trip hike wanders through a beautiful forest before arriving at Rainbow Falls. Rainbow Falls is seasonal, and the best time to visit is spring because the waterfall can dry up quickly in the summer and fall! You will fall in love with this beautiful waterfall in Plymouth.
West and East Rattlesnake
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
The hike to West and East Rattlesnake is one of the most beautiful hikes near Plymouth. Both mountains sit on the edge of Squam Lake and offer incredible views of the lake and surrounding mountains. And the best part? The trail is relatively easy!
The 3.7-mile round trip hike wanders through a beautiful forest before arriving at West Rattlesnake. West Rattlesnake has the best views, so you can either turn around here or continue another 0.8 miles to East Rattlesnake. This hike is popular, so I recommend arriving early to the trailhead to secure a parking spot. You will quickly fall in love with this beautiful hike near Plymouth!
Polar Caves
Time Needed: 2-3 hours
The Polar Caves are not your typical hike near Plymouth. This trail leads you through nine caves created during the Ice Age. The owners of the Polar Caves installed boardwalks and trails leading through each cave. It is an incredible experience and fun for the entire family!
The best part is you do not have to hike through every cave if you do not want to. There is a trail that bypasses the caves if you decide you want to skip a few. The Polar Caves has a small entrance fee, but it is worth it to hike this unique trail!
When you visit Plymouth, you should add these beautiful hikes to your bucket list! This guide has everything you need to know about the best hikes in Plymouth, NH!
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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