To kick off the summer hiking season, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is offering free maps with detailed, printable trip itineraries for its top 25 “Hikes for Kids” in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Recommended in AMC’s Best Day Hikes in the White Mountains guidebook, these family-friendly favorites include rewarding highlights such as waterfalls, ponds and lakes, scenic viewpoints, and lower-elevation mountain peaks to motivate young hikers.
All 25 suggested hikes are available through AMC’s White Mountain Guide Online community and subscription service. To take advantage of this free trial offer, use promo code WMGO610 when registering at www.outdoors.org/wmgonline.
The hikes feature some of the White Mountains’ most scenic locations, including Pinkham Notch, Crawford Notch, and Franconia Notch, plus hikes off the Kancamagus National Scenic Byway. The AMC’s two roadside lodges, Highland Lodge in Crawford Notch and Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch, offer convenient access to many of these trails.
A sampling of recommended hikes includes:
Waterfalls:
- Easy, 0.6-mile round-trip hike from AMC’s Pinkham Notch Visitor Center to Crystal Cascade waterfall.
- Easy, 0.6-mile round-trip hike from Kancamagus National Scenic Byway / Sabbaday Falls Day Use Area to views of Sabbaday Falls along a short loop off the main trail.
- Easy-to-moderate, 3.6-mile round-trip hike from Kancamagus National Scenic Byway to a pair of waterfalls, Champney and Pitcher Falls.
- Easy, 0.9-mile round-trip hike on the Appalachian Trail from AMC’s Pinkham Notch Visitor Center to Lost Pond and views across to Mt. Washington.
- Easy-to-moderate, 3.2-mile round-trip hike from Lafayette Campground to a loop around Lonesome Lake for swimming, views of the Franconia Range, and AMC’s full-service Lonesome
Lake Hut. - Easy, 1-mile loop hike from Kancamagus National Scenic Byway / Rocky Gorge Scenic Area around Falls Pond for views of Bear Mountain’s lower ridges.
- Easy, 0.6-mile round-trip climb up the Webster-Jackson trail from Rt. 302 to Elephant Head ledge and views of Crawford Notch.
- Easy, 3.4-mile round-trip hike from AMC’s Pinkham Notch Visitor Center to Lila's Ledge for views of Pinkham Notch and Mt. Washington.
- Easy-to-moderate, 3.2-mile round-trip hike from Rt. 302 / AMC’s Crawford Notch Depot & Macomber Family Information Center to the summit of Mt. Willard for rewarding views of Crawford Notch.
- Moderate, 3.6-mile round-trip hike from the Flume Visitor Center to open ledges on Mt. Pemigewasset, also known as Indian Head for its rock profile, for views of Franconia Notch.
To check out all of 25 hikes, sign up for a free, 5-day trial subscription, and then click on the “Browse Map” link in the left-hand navigation bar. From there, click on the “Suggested Hikes” tab to the
top right of the map and select “Hikes for Kids” from the “Show These Hikes” drop-down menu. The White Mountain Guide Online combines expert descriptions of over 500 trails and detailed maps. An annual subscription, providing 24/7 access, is $15 for non-members and $12 for AMC members. For information about AMC’s White Mountain Lodges and Huts and to make reservations, visit www.outdoors.org/whitemountains or call (603) 466-2727.
Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America’s oldest conservation and recreation organization. With more than 100,000 members, advocates, and supporters in the Northeast and beyond, the nonprofit AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region. The AMC supports natural resource conservation while encouraging responsible recreation, based on the philosophy that successful,
long-term conservation depends upon first-hand enjoyment of the natural environment.
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David Lawrence said: