Spring is here and we are more than excited about sharing some of our favorite places to hike during one of the most difficult times of year to hit the trails. Between the mud and the deteriorating monorail, spring can be a trying time to get outside at higher elevations. But have no fear, we compiled a list of 5 of the best hikes to do during the springtime where you won’t be dealing with treacherous trail conditions.

While this is by no means a comprehensive list of all the hikes you could do in spring under 5 miles, it’s a great place to start. We have two very popular hikes and three less popular ones to choose from. If you’re looking for something with more advanced navigation, we’ve got you covered. Maybe you’re in the mood for 360 views for a sunset hike, or a quiet morning hike to watch the mist rise off the river. Regardless of your taste in trails, this short list will have something to satiate your springtime hiking sweet tooth. So without further ado, let’s get into the recommendations!

Spring Hikes Under 5 Miles

Mount Major via the Brook (yellow) Trail, Alton, New Hampshire

4 Miles
1,100’ Elevation Gain
Parking: Free (Donations accepted)

First on the list is one of our all-time favorite places to hike. Mount Major in Alton, New Hampshire is one of the most popular summits in New Hampshire, for good reason. At less than 2.5 miles one-way and under 1,200’ of elevation, this peak has stunning, 360 degree views all the way north to the presidential range on a clear day. We recommend taking the Brook Trail (which is yellow blazed) during spring because it is less steep and will likely be free of ice. The blue trail is the more popular trail to the summit however it is often still icy even as late as May.

Pack Monadnock via the Wapack Trail, Peterborough, New Hampshire

3 Miles
800’ Elevation Gain
Parking: $4.00

Pack Monadnock is a beautiful peak in southwestern New Hampshire located within Miller State Park. Miller State Park is the oldest state park in New Hampshire. This peak is the perfect place to spend the afternoon. The summit is heavily wooded and has some nice amenities including a fire tower that you can climb to get beautiful panoramic views. Furthermore, there is a short summit loop that you can add to your itinerary which is beautifully maintained. This hike will require a fee, refer to this link for further information.

Bald Rock, Monadnock State Park, Jaffrey, New Hampshire

4 Miles
1,200’ Elevation Gain
Parking: $15.00

This out and back hike starts at the Mount Monadnock Old Toll Road parking lot and requires a bit more navigation than our previous two routes. We recommend downloading a copy of the Monadnock State Park trail map here because you will need this to navigate this hike. Starting at the toll road, we recommend ascending the Old Halfway House Trail. Next, you will hop onto the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail for 2/10s of a mile before descending for a tenth of a mile on White Arrow Trail. From here you will hop onto Side Foot Trail for a tenth of a mile, then continue onto Do Drop Trail for 2/10s of a mile, before making the final ascent via Cliff Walk. Return to the trailhead via the same route. Bald Rock is a much less busy summit and at a lower elevation than Mount Monadnock. From this summit you have expansive views in all directions and won’t be inundated with crowds. Additionally, these trails lose their snowpack and ice much earlier than Mount Monadnock.

Mount Stanton via Mount Stanton Trail, Conway, New Hampshire

3.4 Miles
1,100’ Elevation Gain
Parking: Free

Mount Stanton is a beautiful smaller peak in Conway, New Hampshire that is less trafficked than some of the other local peaks. This mainly wooded summit is reached by the Mount Stanton Trail. There is a short, steep section on this trail but it is not likely to have snow or ice in springtime due to being at a lower elevation and facing east. Views towards Mount Attitash and the Saco River are stunning in the morning hours, when mist and fog hovers over the riverbed.

Mount Jasper via Mt. Jasper Trail, Berlin, New Hampshire

2 Miles
500’ Elevation Gain
Parking: Free

Our final hike is the short Mount Jasper in Berlin, New Hampshire. This hike starts in the parking lot of Berlin High School and the trail has been continuously worked on by students as part of their curriculum, which we love. Furthermore, the outlook at the top offers a stunning view of Berlin, New Hampshire and a peak at the northern presidential range. This south facing trail should be snow free much earlier in the season than other trails in this area. However because Mount Jasper is much further north than the previous four recommendations, be sure to check the local forecast for Berlin before heading out.

For all of the above hikes we recommend using the Appalachian Mountain Club’s guidebooks (White Mountain National Forest and Southern New Hampshire) to read about the trails prior to setting out. Another helpful and reliable online tool for navigation is Gaia GPS which is a free app you can use to build routes, record hikes, and review the hikes we have outlined in this post.

We’d love to hear from some of you about favorite spring hikes under 5 miles, so be sure to comment below!

Spring Hikes Under 5 Miles in New Hampshire