ExploringEyes

Dear Explorers,

As we move past the autumn solstice, marking the official start of the fall season, the crisp air and changing colors of the leaves remind me of the beginning of the most colorful time of year—Fall. I personally love this season for its comfortable temperatures, perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, the vibrant foliage, and, of course, the excuse to indulge in apple cider donuts and warm, spiced beverages like chai.

Over the past few years, I’ve traveled throughout the New England area in search of the best fall foliage, and in this blog, I’ll be sharing those experiences with you.

Please comment with your best foliage road trip or hiking experiences.

1. Mount Monadnock

Mount Monadnock is reputed to be the most hiked mountain in the world – or at least one of them!  More than 125,000 people climb this majestic peak each year, and with the views from the top, we can easily see why. 

There are more than 40 miles of hiking trails in Mount Monadnock State Park. Not all of them lead to the rocky summit, but many of them do. When you do get to the top of Mount Monadnock, you can expect to see breathtaking views which, on a clear day, stretch to all six New England states.

There are three primary trails to choose from: the White Dot, White Cross, and White Arrow. Each trail varies in steepness and difficulty. I took White Dot Trail to the summit and return on the White Cross Trail. Lots of rock scrambling. You need to wear appropriate footwear and clothes, because the summit can get very windy. 

In autumn when the mountain is ablaze in fall colors, the 360 degree view from the top is truly a sight to behold.

• Elevation:3,165 feet
• Distance : 3.8 miles out and back
• Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
• Time: 3-4 hours to make it to the summit and back. 

When planning a visit, reservations must be made before the arrival and no later than 5pm the day of your visit. Please plan ahead in the event the parking areas reach capacity. See the park website for more info:

https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/monadnock-state-park

2. Mount Willard

This is one of the best hikes in New Hampshire Crawford Notch area with an easy 1.6 miles climb one way. The summit has one of the gorgeous view of the Crawford Notch blazing with fall colors. From here I see all of the southern Presidential plus Mt. Washington peak.

You can park right next to the restrooms and information building at the Crawford Depot.. Trail starts across the railway tracks.

• Elevation:2,865 feet
• Distance : 3.2 miles out and back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Time: 2.5 hours to make it to the summit and back. ‘

3. Mount Washington

This hike is definitely not for the faint of heart. I had planned it with friends many times, but it never materialized—until one time when all my friends bailed the night before (shocking!). I was so determined that I decided to go alone, and I absolutely loved it.

I left Boston at 6 a.m., reached the trailhead around 9 a.m., finished the hike by 4 p.m., and was back in Boston by 7 p.m. Pretty impressive, huh? But I wouldn’t recommend doing it this way! Lesson learned the hard way: it’s much better to get a good night’s rest before or after the hike. Staying in the Lincoln area near the trailhead is your best option.

The climb above the treeline was more strenuous than I expected, with lots of scrambling over rocks. The temperature at the summit was at least 20 degrees cooler than at the base, but since the day was warm, the change was comfortable. Make sure to pack different layers of clothing and wear a good pair of hiking boots for this hike.

If you’re feeling tired after the climb, you can take the Cog Railway or a coach car from the summit back down. The summit is also easily accessible by car. Over the years, I’ve tried all the different modes of transportation to explore the top of Mt. Washington.

• Elevation:6,288 feet
• Distance : 10.4 miles out and back
• Difficulty: Hard
• Trailhead : Jewell trail (link below)
• Time: 7.5 hours to make it to the summit and back. 

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/jewell-trail

4. Kangamangus Hwy

The 34.5-mile scenic drive between Lincoln and Conway is a recognized National Scenic Byway, offering travelers not only rich history and natural beauty but also one of the best fall foliage viewing areas in the world. It’s so popular that during peak season, the 34.5-mile stretch can take up to six hours to drive! Sounds crazy, right?

Like many areas in the region, the Kancamagus—known to locals as “The Kanc”—is home to an abundance of hiking trails, walking paths, picturesque ponds, natural wonders, and other must-see spots. I recommend visiting on a weekday or going early on fall weekends to avoid the crowds.

The highway enters the White Mountain National Forest, following the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River for about 4 miles, then the Hancock Branch for an additional 8 miles. Drivers will navigate a series of hairpin turns before reaching the Kancamagus Pass, the highest point along the byway at 2,855 feet. From there, the highway descends, running parallel to the Swift River for the remaining 21 miles.

I have added a picture of the map below and here are some of scenic stops.

• Albany Covered bridge and Boulder loop hike – 10 minutes for scenic covered bridge area and 2 hours for the hike 
• Lower Falls
• Rocky Gorge
• Champney Falls – 3 miles round-trip, approx. 2 hours
• Sugar Hill Overlook
• CL Graham Wangan Overlook
• Hancock Overlook

Concord, New Hampshire

Concord is located in the heart of New Hampshire, with the White Mountains, Upper Valley, Monadnock Region, and Seacoast all an hour or less away. By choosing Concord, NH, as your fall foliage base, you can easily chase peak foliage while avoiding the crowds. We selected it as a fall foliage pit stop before heading to Vermont from Boston.

Here are some of foliage peeping things to do in the area:

• Pitcher Mountain hike in Stoddard, an easy hike to a fire tower with abundantly amazing fall views
• Carter Hill orchard has amazing crisp fall apples, cider and doughnuts – but the orchard also has a huge viewing platform looking north, with endless views to the White Mountains.
• Fox State forest in Hillsborough has an easy tower trail set off the Center Road that leads up to a tower with great foliage views.

Stowe , Vermont

The fall foliage in Stowe, Vermont, is simply unreal. This classic New England village, located at the base of Vermont’s highest peak, boasts back roads and mountain vistas ablaze with vibrant fall colors. The area is recognized as one of the top destinations for viewing fall foliage in the United States.

It’s a laid back adventure that’s perfect to do right before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Here are some of the things to do in Stowe:

1. Smuggler’s notch scenic drive
2. Gondola sky ride to the Mt. Mansfield peak
3. Cold hollow cider mill for fresh pressed ciders and cider donuts
4. Ben & Jerry’s factory to satisfy your ice cream craving, you can take a tour of their factory as well
5. Hikes – https://www.larkhotels.com/travel/best-hikes-in-stowe