The 9 Best Crawford Notch Hikes
Crawford Notch is a beautiful part of the White Mountains, and one of the best things to do in the area is hiking. The Crawford Notch hikes will leave you in awe with their stunning views!
I have spent my entire life hiking through Crawford Notch, allowing me to create this guide of epic hikes. This guide reviews everything you need to know to hike in Crawford Notch, including hiking tips, the best seasons to hike, what to pack, and the best Crawford Notch hikes to add to your bucket list!
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Tips for Hiking in Crawford Notch
Crawford Notch is one of my favorite places to hike because it has many great trails for all levels! The hikes allow you to experience the true beauty of the White Mountains while providing stunning views. Here are some tips and things to consider when you hike in Crawford Notch:
The trails in Crawford Notch are rugged. There are roots and rocks in every Crawford Notch hike, so it is important to wear supportive shoes with traction. If you want more information on the trail and its current conditions, you should read recent trail reviews.
The weather in Crawford Notch can change quickly. The weather in the mountains can be unpredictable. It could be a sunny morning and change into a windy and rainy afternoon within a few hours. It is essential to check the weather before starting the hike. I always recommend checking the Mount Washington Observatory weather.
Consider hiring a guide! If you want to hike in Crawford Notch, consider hiring a guide! They can provide amazing trail recommendations and help ensure you have a safe trip, and you will be supporting the local economy!
The parking lots in Crawford Notch can fill up quickly, especially in the summer and fall. Many of the Crawford Notch parking lots fill up quickly in the morning, especially on weekends. I recommend arriving at the most popular trails as early as you can to secure a parking spot.
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
Best Seasons for Hiking in Crawford Notch
Summer
Summer is one of my favorite times to hike in Crawford Notch because the weather is beautiful! Because the summer has optimal hiking conditions, it is the most popular time to hike, and the trails will be busy, so you should get to the trailheads early.
Fall
Fall is one of the most beautiful times to hike in Crawford Notch because the fall foliage is stunning. I love hiking in Crawford Notch in the fall because the weather is usually cool with less humidity.
Early fall is one of the busiest times in Crawford Notch because of the foliage, so there will be traffic and crowds. The earlier you start your hike, the better! Winter conditions can begin in late fall, so you should read recent trail reviews so you can pack the appropriate layers and gear.
Winter
Winter is a beautiful and underrated time to hike in Crawford Notch if you are okay with cold weather and snowy conditions. The trails are less crowded because the trail conditions require much more caution and preparation.
If you want to hike in the winter, you should make sure to pack the appropriate layers and gear. You should also read recent trail reviews and keep an eye on the weather.
Spring
Spring is a great time to hike in Crawford Notch as everything begins to bloom! However, winter conditions can last through late spring, and as the snow melts, the trails become very muddy. If you want to hike in the spring, you should read recent trail reviews so you can pack the appropriate gear.
Mud season in the mountains makes the trails vulnerable, so please remember to stay on the trail. You want to make sure you don’t create more erosion, damage vegetation, or widen the path. Some trails close during mud season, so you should also check for trail closures.
What to Pack for Crawford Notch Hikes
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 Crawford Notch Hikes
Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Loop
Length: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
The Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Loop is one of the best Crawford Notch hikes! Arethusa Falls is known as New Hampshire’s tallest and most scenic waterfall, and Frankenstein Cliff has beautiful views of Crawford Notch. If you are not up for a 5-mile hike, you can only hike the 3 miles roundtrip to Arethusa Falls.
The Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Loop begins at the end of Arethusa Falls Road in the upper parking lot. You can hike the loop either way, but I recommend counterclockwise, saving Arethusa Falls for last. The trail is flat for the first half-mile on Frankenstein Trail and then gains elevation quickly as it approaches Frankenstein Cliff.
The views are stunning from the cliff, overlooking Crawford Notch. The trail continues to climb past Frankenstein Cliff before it slowly descends on the Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail. Make sure to look for the Arethusa Falls Trail junction because you can miss it easily! Follow the trail to the right to get to the beautiful Arethusa Falls. The trail then continues on Arethusa Falls Trail back to the parking lot.
The Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Loop is one of the best Crawford Notch hikes you should add to your bucket list!
Ripley Falls
Length: 1.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Ripley Falls is another beautiful waterfall near Arethusa Falls and is one of the best Crawford Notch hikes for all hiking levels! It is one of my favorite easy hikes in the area.
The Ripley Falls hike begins at the end of the Willey House Station Road on Ethan Pond Trail. After a few minutes of hiking, the trail turns left onto the Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail and gradually climbs for another mile to Ripley Falls. Ripley Falls will leave you breathless with its beauty!
Mount Tom, Mount Field, Mount Willey, and Mount Avalon Loop
Length: 10 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,500 feet
Difficulty: Difficult
The Mount Tom, Mount Field, Mount Willey, and Mount Avalon Loop is a fantastic Crawford Notch hike that brings you to four mountains. This hike is long and strenuous but is worth it for the beautiful views! It is also a great hike if you are completing New Hampshire’s 4,000 footers because it reaches three peaks on the list.
The Mount Tom, Mount Field, Mount Willey, and Mount Avalon Loop begins behind the Highland Center Lodge in Crawford Notch. The first section of the hike will feel long as you hike three miles to Mount Tom. The hike begins on Avalon Trail, turns right onto A-Z Trail, and then right onto Mount Tom Spur.
If you walk past Mount Tom's summit, you will find stunning views of the White Mountains. The hike follows back to the A-Z Trail and turns left onto Willey Range Trail, which leads to Mount Field and Mount Willey. Mount Field does not have views, but Mount Willey has a lookout with beautiful views. Many say Mount Willey has some of the best views in the White Mountains!
The trail heads back the way it came and turns right onto Avalon Trail. There will be a short spur on the right leading to Mount Avalon, which has incredible views overlooking Crawford Notch. The hike follows the Avalon Trail back to the parking lot.
If you do not want to hike all of them in one go, you can easily hike them separately. Many people only hike Mount Avalon because the views are some of the best. But if you are up for a long trail, the Mount Tom, Mount Field, Mount Willey, and Mount Avalon Loop is the perfect Crawford Notch hike!
Mount Avalon
Length: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
If you don’t want to hike the entire loop mentioned above, you can hike 3.5 miles roundtrip to Mount Avalon. The hike to Mount Avalon is one of the best Crawford Notch hikes if you are looking for beautiful views! It has some of my favorite views in the area.
The trail begins behind the Highland Center Lodge in Crawford Notch and follows the Avalon Trail for 1.6 miles to the Mount Avalon Spur Path. The spur path is a short but steep climb to Mount Avalon but is worth it for the stunning views of Crawford Notch!
Mount Willard
Length: 3.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Mount Willard is one of the most popular Crawford Notch hikes because it offers stunning views. It is one of the most hiked mountains in the fall because of its foliage views overlooking the notch.
As you enter Crawford Notch, you are likely to see cars parked along the road for miles because this area is home to many beautiful hikes, including Mount Willard. I recommend arriving at the trailhead in the early morning or late in the afternoon to avoid most crowds. One of the best times to hike Mount Willard is at sunrise or sunset if you are up for it!
The hike to Mount Willard begins on Avalon Trail behind the Highland Center Lodge in Crawford Notch before turning left onto Mount Willard Trail. There are two small stream crossings at the beginning of the trail that are usually easy to cross but can be difficult in the spring.
The Mount Willard Trail gradually and steadily climbs to Mount Willard, passing a small waterfall and the Centennial Pool. As the trail nears the summit, it flattens out and opens up to one of the most stunning views of Crawford Notch. Mount Willard is pretty big, so you should be able to find a spot to enjoy the views even if it is busy. If you are looking for one of the most beautiful and best Crawford Notch hikes, Mount Willard is it!
Mount Jackson and Mount Webster Loop
Length: 6.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
The Mount Jackson and Mount Webster Loop is one of the best Crawford Notch hikes that offers stunning views of the Presidentials. Mount Jackson is one of my favorite hikes in the area because of its incredible views!
The Mount Jackson and Mount Webster Loop begins south of the Highland Center Lodge in Crawford Notch on the opposite side of the road. The trailhead is easy to miss if you aren’t looking for it!
The Webster-Jackson Trail gradually and steadily climbs without many breaks, so be prepared for some leg burn! The trail passes Bulge Cliff, which is a small side trail that offers beautiful views. Once you get to the loop junction, you can go left to Mount Jackson or right to Mount Webster.
I recommend leaving Mount Jackson for last since it has the best views of the two summits. The trail climbs more steeply to Mount Webster before looping around to Mount Jackson. Mount Jackson offers incredible views overlooking the White Mountains and the Presidentials.
The trail heads down the Webster-Jackson Trail back to the parking lot. If you aren’t up for the entire loop, you can 5 miles roundtrip to Mount Jackson! Either way, the Mount Jackson and Mount Webster Loop is one of the best Crawford Notch hikes!
Mount Pierce
Length: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Mount Pierce is one of the most beautiful Crawford Notch hikes and offers stunning views of the Presidentials. Mount Pierce can be hiked alone or with Mount Jackson or Mount Eisenhower for a longer hike. If you hike Mount Pierce alone, the trail begins on Mount Clinton Road on Crawford Path.
Although the trail does not offer views until it reaches Mount Pierce, it is beautiful with a moss-covered floor. It also passes the small but beautiful Gibbs Falls. The trail gradually and steadily climbs until it breaks through the treeline to the summit of Mount Pierce.
Mount Pierce does not have 360-degree views, but that does not make them any less stunning! You will be in awe of the beautiful views from Mount Pierce and quickly realize why many love it. If you want to add Mount Eisenhower onto the hike, you can continue on Crawford Path for another 1.7 miles to the summit. Mount Pierce is one of my favorite hikes in Crawford Notch, so I know you will love it!
Mount Eisenhower
Length: 6.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,800 feet
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Mount Eisenhower is next to Mount Pierce and offers even more stunning views since it has 360-degree views and is next to Mount Washington. It is one of my favorite Crawford Notch hikes for those looking for incredible views of the White Mountains!
The hike to Mount Eisenhower begins on Mount Clinton Road on Edmands Path. Edmands Path is an uneventful trail that gradually and steadily climbs to Mount Eisenhower. As it gets closer to the summit, it will reward your climb with stunning views of the Presidentials.
Mount Eisenhower offers some of the best views in the White Mountains! Mount Washington is only a few miles away, so you will have incredible views of it if it is out of the clouds. If you want to add Mount Pierce onto the hike, you can continue on Crawford Path for another 1.7 miles to the summit. Mount Eisenhower offers some of the best views in the area, making it one of the best Crawford Notch hikes!
Mount Crawford
Length: 5.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,100 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Mount Crawford has become one of my new favorite hikes in Crawford Notch because it offers stunning views of the area. If you have been following along on my recent hiking adventures, you will know I have hiked this mountain many times.
The hike begins on Davis Path and climbs relentlessly to the summit of Mount Crawford. It is a short but steep hike, so be prepared for some leg burn! Mount Crawford has stunning views of Crawford Notch and the Presidentials. If you are up for a short and steep climb, Mount Crawford will reward you with incredible views!
The Crawford Notch hikes are incredible and will not disappoint with their beautiful views. Since I have been hiking in Crawford Notch for years, I can provide an incredible guide for the best hikes. This guide reviews everything you need to know about the most beautiful Crawford Notch hikes!
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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