Best of Lakes Region, NH

. See the latest Lakes Region trail Reviews or download the free  MAP PACK 

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 is a list of the best trails we've explored in the region, linking to our individual trail reviews that feature photography and smartphone route maps for easy navigation. Alternatively scroll down to our free offline Map Pack for a single download that includes ALL our trail reviews and route maps for the region.

Best Hiking

	5★ Mount Major Alton • 3-7 mi • Moderate Very popular mountain hike with spectacular views across Lake Winnipesaukee.
	5★ Red Hill Fire Tower Moultonborough • 3 mi • Easy One of the most spectacular fire tower views in New Hampshire.
	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

	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.
	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.
	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.
	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

Trailspotting Map Packs provide a single smartphone download containing trail reviews and route navigation information. They're free for personal use and even work when you're offline. We also like to use them as a 'todo' list - deleting each trail from our personal copy of the map pack 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 Trails of New Hampshire
See our favorite hiking trails and rail trails for each region 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
Discover our map of fire towers and the trails to find them.