Visiting New England for a fall foliage hike? Check out this post for the 20 best hikes for fall foliage in New England.
As a New England resident, I feel like there’s no limit to the amount of fall foliage you can see in the area. In fact, around autumn, many locals use this season as a time to hike as many mountains as they can. Whether its in Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut or Maine, locals won’t hesitate to see the fall foliage from a breathtaking sight. So, if you’re looking for a fall foliage hike in New England, you’ve come to the right place. This post alone will highlight 20 best hikes you can do to see the fall foliage in the New England area.
New England Bucket List Series
P.S. This is a post in my New England Bucket List Series. Here is the complete series:
Road Trips: 30 Best Road Trips From Boston
Ice Skating: The Top 7 Places for Free Ice Skating in Boston
Hiking: 20 Best Hikes for Fall Foliage in New England
Fall Foliage: 12 Best Places for Fall Foliage in Boston
Thrift Stores: The 7 Best Thrift Stores in Boston for Vintage
Salem: One Day in Salem Massachusetts: Hocus Pocus Edition
Museums: The Top 8 Free Museums in Boston for College Students
Tumbledown Mountain (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Brook Trail
City/State: Weld, Maine
Length: 4.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,840 ft
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Why you should do it: The Brook Trail is a great hike to do for fall foliage since it leads to Crater Lake which is also known as Tumbledown Pond. At the pond, you’ll be able to watch the leaves reflect against the water as they fall from the trees.
Camel’s Hump (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Monroe Trail, Alpine Trail, Long Trail
City/State: Waterbury, Vermont
Length: 7.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,083 ft
Level of Difficulty: Hard
Why you should do it: The Camel’s Hump is a great hike to do for fall foliage since the top of the hump is a double peak. Once you’re at the double peak you’ll be able to catch great views of the foliage from the top.
Mount Greylock (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Hopper Trail
City/State: Williamstown, Massachusetts
Length: 4.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1312 ft
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Why you should do it: The Hopper Trail is a great hike to do for fall foliage since it is beautiful to visit all-year round. In fact, many locals hike it during quieter times of the day to enjoy the solitude, peace and tranquility.
Acadia National Park (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Beehive Loop Trail
City/State: Bar Harbor, Maine
Length: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 508 ft
Level of Difficulty: Hard
Why you should do it: The Beehive Loop Trail is a great hike to do for fall foliage since the best times to visit are from May to October. In addition, the trail is also well-marked with good hand grabs and foot holds if you’re worried about the level of difficulty.
Mount Moosilaukee (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Gorge Brook Trail
City/State: Glencliff, New Hampshire
Length: 7.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,513 ft
Level of Difficulty: Hard
Why you should do it: Like the Beehive Loop Trail, the Gorge Brook Trail is a great fall foliage hike since the best times to visit are from May to October. In fact, even though the hike can be pretty muddy at some points, many locals really enjoy it for the beautiful views.
Bear Mountain (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Bear Mountain Trail
City/State: Taconic, Connecticut
Length: 6.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,683 ft
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Why you should do it: The Bear Mountain Trail is a great hike to do for fall foliage since the best times to visit are from May to October. In fact, many locals hike it with their dogs since they can go off-leash in some areas.
Blue Hills Reservation (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): The Skyline Trail
City/State: Quincy, Massachusetts
Length: 15.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,523 ft
Level of Difficulty: Hard
Why you should do it: The Skyline Trail is a great hike to do for fall foliage since the best times to visit are from March to November. In fact, like the Bear Mountain Trail, many locals hike it with their dogs since there are some areas where they can go off-leash.
Dixville Notch State Park (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Table Rock Trail
City/State: Colebrook, New Hampshire
Length: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 751 ft
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Why you should do it: The Table Rock Trail is a great hike to do for fall foliage since around October the leaves are at its peak. In fact, many locals also bring their dogs on the hike since it’s great exercise for them too.
Smugglers Notch State Park (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Sterling Pond Trail
City/State: Jeffersonville, Vermont
Length: 2.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 908 ft
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Why you should do it: The Sterling Pond Trail is a great hike to do for fall foliage since the trail ends at a beautiful lake with a nice view. In fact, many locals bring their dogs on the hike so that they can take a quick swim in the water towards the end.
Mount Tecumseh (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Mount Tecumseh Trail
City/State: Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
Length: 5.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,283 ft
Level of Difficulty: Hard
Why you should do it: The Mount Tecumseh Trail is a great hike to do for fall foliage since there are some nice creeks at the beginning of it. Afterwards, the trail pretty much becomes a straight shot to the top as you climb up some pretty steep stairs. So, if you’re planning to do a hike along the Mount Tecumseh Trail, I highly recommend it. The views at the top are definitely worth it.
Mount Willard (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Mount Willard Trail
City/State: Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Length: 3.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 895 ft
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Why you should do it: The Mount Willard Trail is a great hike to do for fall foliage since the best times to visit are from May to October. In fact, like the Skyline Trail, many locals hike it with their dogs since there are some areas where they can go off-leash.
Mount Cube (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Appalachian Trail
City/State: Orford, New Hampshire
Length: 6.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,162 ft
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Why you should do it: The Appalachian Trail is a great hike to do for fall foliage since the best times to visit are from April to October. In fact, many locals hike it during quieter times of the day to enjoy the solitude, peace and tranquility.
Purgatory Chasm State Reservation (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Charley’s Loop Trail
City/State: Sutton, Massachusetts
Length: 1.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 180 ft
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Why you should do it: Charley’s Loop Trail is a great hike to do for fall foliage since the best times to visit are from March to November. In fact, like the Table Rock Trail, many locals also bring their dogs on the hike since it’s great exercise for them too.
Wachusett Mountain State Reservation (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Balance Rock, Old Indian, and Semuhenna Trail Loop
City/State: Westminster, Massachusetts
Length: 3.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,082 ft
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Why you should do it: The Balance Rock, Old Indian, and Semuhenna Trail Loop is a great hike to do for fall foliage since the paths are well-marked between them. In fact, once you reach the summit you’ll be able to find a nice spot where you can eat some lunch. So, if you’re planning to do a hike along the Balance Rock, Old Indian, and Semuhenna Trail Loop, I highly recommend it. The 360 degree view from the top is definitely worth it.
Mount Cardigan (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Mount Cardigan Loop Trail
City/State: Canaan, New Hampshire
Length: 3.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,181 ft
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Why you should do it: The Mount Cardigan Loop Trail is a great hike to do for fall foliage since the best times to visit are from April to November. In fact, like Charley’s Loop Trail, many locals also bring their dogs on the hike since it’s great exercise for them too.
Mount Major (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Brook and Main Trail Loop
City/State: Alton Bay, New Hampshire
Length: 3.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,148 ft
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Why you should do it: The Brook and Main Trail Loop is a great hike to do for fall foliage since the best times to visit are from April to November. In fact, like the Mount Willard Trail, many locals hike it with their dogs since there are some areas where they can go off-leash.
Mount Morgan (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Mount Morgan and Mount Percival Loop
City/State: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire
Length: 4.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,486 ft
Level of Difficulty: Hard
Why you should do it: The Mount Morgan and Mount Percival Loop is a great hike to do for fall foliage since the best times to visit are from May to October. In fact, like Mount Cardigan Loop Trail, many locals also bring their dogs on the hike since it’s great exercise for them too.
North and South Brother (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Marston Trail
City/State: Millinocket, Maine
Length: 9.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,618 ft
Level of Difficulty: Hard
Why you should do it: The Marston Trail is a great hike to do for fall foliage since the best times to visit are from March to October. In fact, many locals hike it during quieter times of the day to enjoy the solitude, peace and tranquility.
Mount Katahdin (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Mount Katahdin and Hamlin Peak Loop
City/State: Stacyville, Maine
Length: 12.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 5,862 ft
Level of Difficulty: Hard
Why you should do it: The Mount Katahdin and Hamlin Peak Loop is a great hike to do for fall foliage since the best times to visit are from March to October. In fact, many locals hike it during quieter times of the day to enjoy the solitude, peace and tranquility.
Middlesex Fells Reservation (best hikes for fall foliage)
Trail(s): Skyline Outer Reservoir Loop
City/State: Medford, Massachusetts
Length: 8.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 990 ft
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Why you should do it: The Skyline Outer Reservoir Loop is a great hike to do for fall foliage since the best times to visit are from March to November. In fact, like Mount Morgan and Mount Percival Loop, many locals also bring their dogs on the hike since it’s great exercise for them too.
Overall, I really hope you enjoyed this post on the 20 best hikes for fall foliage in New England! Please let me know in the comments down below which hike you would like to do the most! I would love to hear from you. 🙂
Love this post? Pin it for later!
Leave a Reply