Best of Lakes Region, NH

. Sitting on the top of Mount Major overlooking Lake WinnipesaukeeSee latest trail reviews or download Map Pack

Map highlighting region within New Hampshire 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.

Here are some the region's best trails. We link to individual trail reviews with photography and smartphone route maps for easy navigation. Or scroll down to our free Map Pack for ALL our trail reviews in a single download for offline route finding.

Best Hiking

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 cascading waterfall flows over rugged rocks in a lush forest. Sunlight filters through dense foliage, casting dappled light on the moss-covered stones. The water appears silky and smooth, suggesting a long exposure effect that softens its movement. Surrounding trees frame the waterfall, their branches reaching toward the rushing stream, while vibrant green plants flourish in the damp environment. The scene conveys a tranquil, untouched beauty, highlighting the harmony between water and woodland. 5★ Brook Walk Falls
Moultonborough • 1-2 mi • Easy
Visit seven distinct waterfalls within the Castle In The Clouds historic estate.
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.
A tranquil lake reflects the clear blue sky and surrounding autumnal forest, where a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees display vibrant fall colors—rich reds, warm oranges, and golden yellows. In the foreground, a distinctive tree with a curved trunk and sparse, leafless branches arches over the water, adding sculptural interest. Across the lake, a forested hillside rises, crowned by a small structure or antenna at its peak. The scene evokes a crisp, sunny day in early fall, with calm water and vivid foliage creating a serene, picturesque landscape. 5★ Klem, Mack & Round Pond
Gilford • 7-8 mi • Moderate
Remote Belknap Range peaks and a pristine mountain pond.
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.
Best Railtrails

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.

Trailspotting Map Pack


 MAP PACK:  NH Lakes Region
Download · Instructions

Map Packs provide a single smartphone download of all the region's trails, with trail reviews and route navigation. Free for personal use and even work when you're offline. We also like to using them as a 'todo' list - deleting each trail from our personal copy of the map as we visit each destination.

Categories

• Rating  5 stars   4+ stars   4 stars   3 stars 
• Type  all hikes   all railtrails 
• Difficulty  easy   moderate   hard 
• Mileage  0-3 miles   3-5 miles   5-7 miles   7-10 miles   10+ miles 
• 4+ Star Hikes      0-3 miles   3-5 miles   5-7 miles   7-10 miles   10+ miles 



Best hiking trails and rail trails in 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 Hampshire
New Hampshire Rail Trails
The state's first and only complete rail trail map. Photos, reviews and downloads.
New Hampshire Fire Towers
New Hampshire Fire Towers
Discover our map of fire towers and the trails to find them.
Mastodon Icon   Bluesky Icon   Facebook Icon   Flipboard Icon   RSS Feed Icon
Subscribe for new trail reviews

Trailspotting is non-commercial and ad-free.
Content provided without warranty of accuracy. Copyright © 2025 Stuart Green all rights reserved. About Trailspotting.com