Best Trails NH: Lakes Region

See the latest Lakes Region Trail Reviews

The Lakes Region of New Hampshire beckons hikers with its serene lakeside trails and picturesque mountain vistas. Situated amidst the tranquil waters of Lake Winnipesaukee, Lake Winnisquam, and Squam Lake among others, the region offers a diverse range of hiking experiences. From the rugged trails of Mount Major overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee to the peaceful strolls along the shores of Squam Lake, hikers can immerse themselves in the natural beauty and tranquility of the New Hampshire wilderness.

We list here our favorite trails of the region, summarized below with links to our trail reviews that feature photography and route maps that you can use on your phone for easy navigation. Did we miss your favorite trail? Let us know and we'll be sure to check it out!

Hiking Trails
Sitting on the top of Mount Major overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee 5★ Mount Major
Alton • 3-7 mi • Moderate
Very popular mountain hike with spectacular views across Lake Winnipesaukee.
A tall metal fire lookout tower on rocky terrain with sparse vegetation. The sky is clear and blue, indicating fair weather. 5★ Red Hill Fire Tower
Moultonborough • 3 mi • Easy
One of the most spectacular fire tower views in New Hampshire.
Two individuals stand on a rocky outcrop, overlooking a vast, scenic landscape of a lake with numerous islands and distant mountains under a clear blue sky. They are facing away from the camera, towards the natural vista, capturing a moment of human connection with nature. 4★ Rattlesnake Mountain
Holderness • 2-4 mi • Easy
A great Squam Lake height that provides an excellent lake viewpoint without too much elevation gain.



Rail Trails
Riding an historic railroad car on the CVRT. Photo by Collin Sulloway 5★ Cotton Valley Rail Trail
Wolfeboro-Wakefield • 12 mi • Easy
A unique lakeside rail trail where historic motorized railroad handcars still run today. Pay heed to our warnings about trail/rail crossings and you'll find this to be one of the best rail trails in the state.
investigating the Sulphite Upside Down Bridge near Franklin, NH 4★ Winnipesaukee River Rail Trail
Franklin-Tilton • 5 mi • Easy
This mostly hard-pack trail follows the spectacular Winnipesaukee River between the mill towns of Franklin and Tilton.
Cyclists by Lake Winnisquam. 4★Lake Winnisquam & WOW Rail Trails
Laconia-Belmont • 4 mi • Easy
Popular paved trail on the Southern shores of Lake Winnesquam provides a scenic and varied tour.
riding over the Rail Trail Covered Bridge 4★ Village Spur Rail Trail
Belmont • 2 mi • Easy
This wide grassy trail passes wetlands, pastures and woodland. Features two separate covered bridges en route.

Trail Map
    3★   4★   5★   Expand ↓ Map 


Tangents:
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article


Best hiking trails and rail trails of New Hampshire
Best Trails of New Hampshire
See our favorite hiking trails and rail trails for each region of New Hampshire.
Rail Trail Map of New England
Rail Trails of New England
The first and only complete rail trail map. With photos, reviews and downloads.
New England Covered Bridges
New England Covered Bridges
Maps, lists, directions and nearby trails to New England's covered bridges.
Bluesky Icon   Facebook Icon    Flipboard Icon   Instagram Icon   Mastadon Icon   RSS Feed Icon   Threads Icon
Subscribe for new trail reviews weekly

Built for fun. Trailspotting is non-commercial, ad-free, for the public good.
© 2024 Copyright Stuart Green all rights reserved. Content provided without warranty of accuracy. About Trailspotting