Best Places to Propose Marriage in the White Mountains
In just a few weeks we will be inundated with engagement announcements, proposals, and newly-formed relationships and although Valentine’s Day is certainly more commercialized than any of the other holidays out there, for a lot of people it is a day that signifies the bond between two people. We’re talking about the thing that makes the world go round, y’all; we’re talking about L.O.V.E.
So for the next two weeks we will be breaking down not only the most iconic spots to propose, but the spots that you won’t see plastered all over your Instagram feed. The places where you can bet your bouquet of roses won’t be full of people when you bare it all and confess your undying love to your partner.
Before we get into the lists, it should be noted that not all of these places are accessible in winter hiking conditions. Seasonality will be noted for each location as well as rough mileage, elevation, and any necessary parking/camping permits or reservations. Hike at your own risk, do your research, and make sure that you are following the Leave No Trace Principles and carrying the Ten Essentials.
The 5 Most Iconic Places To Propose In The White Mountains of New Hampshire
Bondcliff Mountain, Pemigewasset Wilderness, Lincoln, New Hampshire
18 - 21 Miles Total
3300’ - 4,800’ Elevation Gain
$5.00 per vehicle, per day to park at Lincoln Woods Trailhead, Haystack Notch Rd., Zealand Road, and Gale River Road
Additional fees for camping noted below
We wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t start the list off with this breathtaking mountain set in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. While this hike is certainly not for the faint of heart, (and you will definitely want to go into it prepared to spend at least 8 hours hiking, unless you’re a trail runner), there are few places that rival this massive rocky outcropping in New England. The trail runs above treeline for the better part of a mile upon reaching Bondcliff Peak so if you intend on completing this hike as a traverse be sure to bring the necessary gear for all weather conditions, regardless of season.
Many proposals have taken place upon this mountain and there are a handful of ways to complete the hike but for the sake of keeping things simple, we will give two approaches: the overnight hike and the day hike.
Overnight Route Options
If you choose to overnight this hike, you have a few options for places to camp: Guyot Campsite (read more about this backcountry site here), Galehead Hut (hut only open from May to late October, check here for availability), Zealand Hut (winter reservations available, check here for availability), or just stealth camping below treeline. We recommend reading the White Mountain Guidebook thoroughly and carrying the necessary overnight gear if you intend on staying out in the woods. Pricing and reservations for staying at either of the huts can be done through the Appalachian Mountain Club. Guyot is a pay site, $15.00 per night and is first-come, first-served. These itineraries all require either carspots or shuttles to and from the start/end point with one exception. The AMC offers shuttles to and from all of the trailheads listed below (except North Twin Trail).
Sample Overnight Itineraries:
Option 1 (Traverse)
Seasonality - Four season option however check New England Trail Conditions, and Mountain-Forecast before heading out and be prepared to break out Guyot Campsite spur.
Additional Information - Park in winter at the lot across the street from Zealand Road, add 3 miles to total miles for roadwalk due to the road closure and check here for gate status in shoulder seasons.
Routes -
Day One - Lincoln Woods Trail, Bondcliff Trail, Guyot Campsite
10.5 Miles
3,900’ Elevation Gain
Day Two - Guyot Campsite, Twinway, Zealand Trail
8 Miles
800’ Elevation Gain
Option 2 (Traverse)
Seasonality - Four season option however check New England Trail Conditions, and Mountain-Forecast before heading out and be prepared to break out Guyot Campsite spur.
Additional Information - Park in winter at the gate at the end of Haystack Road, add 2.6 miles to total miles for roadwalk due to the road closure and check here for gate status in shoulder seasons.
Routes -
Day One - Lincoln Woods Trail, Bondcliff Trail, Guyot Campsite
10.5 Miles
3,900’ Elevation Gain
Day Two - Guyot Campsite, Twinway, North Twin Trail
8 Miles
1,400’ Elevation Gain
Option 3 (Traverse)
Seasonality - Four season option however check New England Trail Conditions, and Mountain-Forecast before heading out and be prepared to break out Guyot Campsite spur.
Additional Information - Park in winter at the dirt pull off across the street from Gale River Road, add 2 miles to total miles for roadwalk due to the road closure and check here for gate status in shoulder seasons.
Routes -
Day One - Lincoln Woods Trail, Bondcliff Trail, Guyot Campsite
10.5 Miles
3,900’ Elevation Gain
Day Two - Guyot Campsite, Twinway, Gale River Trail
8 Miles
1,100’ Elevation Gain
Option 4 (Traverse)
Seasonality - Four season option however check New England Trail Conditions, and Mountain-Forecast before heading out and Galehead Hut is not open from October 22 to May 1 so you will have to bring your own shelter.
Additional Information - Park in winter at the dirt pull off across the street from Gale River Road, add 2 miles to total miles for roadwalk due to the road closure and check here for gate status in shoulder seasons.
Routes -
Day One - Gale River Trail, Galehead Hut
4.5 Miles
2,300’ Elevation Gain
Day Two - Twinway, Bondcliff Trail, Lincoln Woods Trail
14 Miles
2,200’ Elevation Gain
Option 5 (Traverse)
Seasonality - Four season option however check New England Trail Conditions, and Mountain-Forecast before heading out and reserve ahead of time to stay at Zealand Hut from late October to early June for self-service only here.
Additional Information - Park in winter at the lot across the street from Zealand Road, add 3 miles to total miles for roadwalk due to the road closure and check here for gate status in shoulder seasons.
Routes -
Day One - Zealand Trail, Zealand Hut
3 Miles
700’ Elevation Gain
Day Two - Zealand Trail, Twinway, Bondcliff Trail, Lincoln Woods Trail
14 Miles
3,000’ Elevation Gain
Sample Day Hike Itineraries:
Option 1 (Out-and-Back)
Seasonality - Four season hiking option but be sure to bring appropriate gear and check weather and trail conditions.
Parking - Lincoln Woods Trailhead has a $5.00 per car, per day fee.
Route - Lincoln Woods, Bondcliff Trail
18 Miles
3,400’ Elevation Gain
Option 2 (Traverse)
Seasonality - Four season hiking but be sure to bring appropriate gear, add 2.6 miles to hike, and check gate status from October to June here for Haystack Road.
Parking - Lincoln Woods Trailhead and North Twin Trailheads have a $5.00 per car, per day fee.
Route - North Twin Trail, Twinway, Bondcliff Trail, Lincoln Woods Trail
19 Miles
4,500’ Elevation Gain
Option 3 (Traverse)
Seasonality - Four season hiking but be sure to bring appropriate gear, add 3 miles to hike, and check gate status from October to June here for Zealand Road.
Parking - Lincoln Woods Trailhead and Zealand Trailhead have a $5.00 per car, per day fee.
Route - Zealand Trail, Twinway, Bondcliff Trail, Lincoln Woods Trail
18.5 Miles
3,700’ Elevation Gain
Option 4 (Traverse)
Seasonality - Four season hiking but be sure to bring appropriate gear, add 3 miles to hike, and check gate status from October to June here for Gale River Road.
Parking - Lincoln Woods Trailhead and Gale River Trailhead have a $5.00 per car, per day fee.
Route - Gale River Trail, Twinway, Bondcliff Trail, Lincoln Woods Trail
18.5 Miles
4,400’ Elevation Gain
Option 5 Bonus Ultra Route (Traverse)
Seasonality - Four season hiking but be sure to bring appropriate gear, add 3 miles to hike, and check gate status from October to June here for Zealand Road. Be aware that few use Zeacliff Trail in winter so unless you have a substantial amount of winter hiking and trailbreaking experience we don’t recommend this hike in winter conditions.
Parking - Lincoln Woods Trailhead and Zealand Trailhead have a $5.00 per car, per day fee.
Route - Lincoln Woods Trail, Bondcliff Trail, Twinway, Zeacliff Trail, Ethan Pond Trail, Zealand Trail
22 Miles
4,900’ Elevation Gain
The Basin, Franconia, New Hampshire
¼ Mile to 4 Miles Total
30’ - 250’ Elevation Gain
$5.00 per vehicle, per day to park at The Basin and Lafayette Place Campground
Maybe long days in the woods aren’t your thing but you still want a stunning backdrop for your proposal. The Basin is within a mile of I-93 and offers accessibility to all individuals (including wheelchair accessibility). The Basin is a water-eroded rock formation that is in the shape of a large swirl which has been attracting the attention of hikers since the first guide books were published on the White Mountains (1858, Eastman’s Guidebook 1st Edition).
This is a very popular place for tourists so be sure to keep in mind that even on days when the weather is less than ideal people still flock to this site. If you’re looking for a little more privacy, you can venture along Pemi Trail which runs along the Pemigewasset River north and south from The Basin, however Pemi Trail is not wheelchair accessible. The bonus itinerary is off the beaten path so be aware that Pemi Trail is not as heavily trafficked and may be a bit overgrown in spots. However, this route takes you up the Appalachian Trail to Basin Cascade Trail where Kinsman Falls is located (another great place to propose, hint, hint).
Sample Itineraries:
Option 1 (Out-and-Back)
Seasonality - Four season availability but these trails are not wheelchair accessible in winter unless you have special wheels for snow.
Parking - $5.00 per vehicle, per day to park at The Basin West parking
Route - The Basin West parking, Franconia Recreational Path, The Basin Spur (Out-and-Back Hike)
¼ Mile
30’ Elevation Gain One-way
Option 2 (Out-and-Back)
Seasonality - Four season availability but these trails are not wheelchair accessible in winter unless you have special wheels for snow.
Parking - $5.00 per vehicle, per day to park at The Basin East parking
Route - The Basin East parking, Franconia Recreational Path, The Basin Spur
¼ Mile
30’ Elevation Gain One-way
Option 3 (Out-and-Back)
Seasonality - Four season availability but these trails are not wheelchair accessible in winter unless you have special wheels for snow. Be aware that Franconia Recreational Path is used as a snowmobile path in winter but can still be walked on.
Parking - $5.00 per vehicle, per day to park at Lafayette Place Parking Lot
Route - Lafayette Place Parking Lot, Franconia Recreational Path, The Basin Spur (Out-and-Back Hike)
1.8 Miles One-Way
300’ Elevation Gain
This route offers stunning views of Franconia Notch and is still accessible to all.
Option 4 Bonus Itinerary (not wheelchair accessible) (Loop Hike)
Seasonality - Four season availability but these trails may need to be broken out in winter and are less used in winter.
Parking - $5.00 per vehicle, per day to park at The Basin West parking
Route - The Basin West parking, Pemi Trail, Cascade Brook Trail, Basin Cascade Trail (Loop Hike)
3 Miles
700’ Elevation
Franconia Ridge, Franconia, New Hampshire
8.5 Miles Total
4,000’ Elevation Gain
$5.00 per vehicle, per day to park at Falling Waters or Lafayette Place parking lots
This loop hike has the reputation for being one of the most beautiful hikes in the northeast and rightly so. But don’t underestimate the difficulty of this loop. Despite being really close to a major highway and one of the most popular places to visit in the White Mountains, this hike packs a punch. Although it’s only 8.5 miles in length, over the course of those 8 miles you will be gaining 4,000’ of elevation (that’s roughly 1,000’ per mile average) and will be above treeline for 1.8 miles exposed to the elements. This loop is usually done clockwise however in winter it is recommended that you complete the hike counterclockwise, ascending Falling Waters Trail rather than descending it, due to the amount of ice that forms on this waterfall-strewn trail.
From the ridge you have 360 degree views of the entire White Mountains National Forest as well as the spine of the Long Trail in Vermont and on very clear days you can see all the way to Canada or the Adirondacks. There are three major mountains that make up this loop hike and from the summit of any of the three you have an infinite number of optional spots to ask your partner to marry you.
Sample Itinerary:
Seasonality - This is a four season hike and is heavily trafficked in all four seasons however prior to setting out on this loop be sure to check weather and trail conditions and carry proper gear especially in winter where exposure along the ridge can be fatal.
Parking - $5.00 per vehicle, per day to park at Falling Waters or Lafayette Place parking lots
Route - Old Bridle Path, Greenleaf Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Falling Waters Trail
(It’s recommended that this loop is hiked in reverse in winter, starting up Falling Waters Trail and descending Old Bridle Path)
8.5 miles total
4,000’ elevation gain
Sabbaday Falls, Campton, New Hampshire
½ Mile One-way
200’ Elevation Gain
$5.00 per vehicle, per day to park at Sabbaday Falls parking lot
This short hike is another stunning place to visit for the perfect proposal. Although it is wheelchair accessible, it should be noted that the grade ranges 6% to 25% and gains around 200’ in elevation over the ½ mile stretch of trail to the falls. There are railings, wooden stairs, and walkways leading down to and around the falls and a few benches placed along the trail near the falls for you to sit and enjoy the scenery.
The water feature consists of a series of falls cascading down Sabbaday Brook. The falls end at a large pool of water that is formed by an eroded traprock dike (according to the White Mountain Guidebook). This short hike is optional in all four seasons however the trail can become very icy in winter so be sure to keep that in mind if you require a wheelchair to access the falls.
Sample Itinerary:
Seasonality - Four season hiking is an option unless you require a wheelchair to access the falls. It should be noted that anyone who is completing this hike in winter conditions needs to be prepared for ice and wear proper traction on their feet.
Parking - $5.00 per vehicle, per day to park at Sabbaday Falls parking lot
Route - Sabbaday Brook Trail (Out and Back)
½ Mile One-Way
200’ Elevation Gain
Lonesome Lake, Franconia, New Hampshire
3 - 3.5 Miles Out-and-Back
1,100’ Elevation Gain
$5.00 per vehicle, per day at Lafayette Place Campground
Our last recommendation for proposals is the very popular Lonesome Lake in Franconia, New Hampshire. This 3-mile out-and-back hike is heavily trafficked in all four seasons and the AMC hut is open year-round as well, making it the perfect destination for a romantic night in the woods while still having access to amenities. Reservations to stay at the Lonesome Lake hut should be made in advance here.
From Lonesome Lake there are views of Franconia Ridge and in the summertime you can go swimming in the lake if you so choose. There is also a really nice loop around the lake where you can take in the scenery. This loop is less traveled, offering you some privacy with your new fiance.
Sample Itineraries:
Option 1 (Out-and-Back)
Seasonality - This popular out-and-back hike is heavily trafficked all four seasons. If you intend on staying overnight at the hut be sure to make reservations in advance.
Parking - $5.00 per vehicle, per day at Lafayette Place Campground
Route - Lonesome Lake Trail, Cascade Brook Trail, Fishing Jimmy Trail
3 Miles
1,100’ Elevation Gain
Option 2 (Out-and-Back with loop around lake)
Seasonality - Lonesome Lake is a popular hike in all four seasons however this optional itinerary includes an additional ½ mile of hiking around Lonesome Lake and not all of the trails will be broken out in winter so be sure to check trail conditions before heading around the lake. If you intend on staying overnight at the hut be sure to make reservations in advance.
Parking - $5.00 per vehicle, per day at Lafayette Place Campground
Route - Lonesome Lake Trail, Cascade Brook Trail, Fishing Jimmy Trail, Around Lonesome Lake Trail, Lonesome Lake Trail
3.5 Miles
1,100’ Elevation Gain
Additional Popular Hikes Worth Noting:
Mount Washington via Tuckerman Ravine Trail
Lakes of the Clouds Hut via Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail
Kearsarge North Observation Tower via Kearsarge North Trail
South Moat Mountain via Moat Mountain Trail
Diana’s Baths via Attitash Trail (wheelchair accessible)
Glen Ellis Falls via Glen Ellis Falls Trail
Rocky Gorge Scenic Area via Lovequist Loop (wheelchair accessible)
Whether you’re looking for a long day in the woods or a quick stop at a pretty view before heading out to eat, the White Mountains have something for you. This post highlights just a few of the most popular places to propose to your significant other and should be part of the planning process for your hike, not the only source you rely on to plan your hike. Be sure to read the guidebook, check weather and trail conditions, and carry proper gear on all hikes.