New Hampshire is an outdoor wonderland
Whether it’s biking, hiking, canoeing or camping, New Hampshire has a limitless number of ways to enjoy the great outdoors. Take some time to experience what the state has to offer and the best places to do it.
HIKING
Hiking t rails i n New Hampshire are abundant and range from easy walks to challenging grinds, but none of the state’s trails is more iconic than the Appalachian Trail. This world-famous trail cuts across the northern part of the state, in part through the spectacular White Mountain National Forest.
In no other state does more of the trail pass above the tree line, so the mountaintop views are nothing short of breathtaking. The highest point the trail reaches in the state is at the summit of Mount Washington which, at 1,917 metres, is the tallest mountain in the U. S. northeast. For outdoor enthusiasts looking for an easier hike, Hew Hampshire boasts trails for all skill levels. Pitcher Mountain and Mount Kearsarge, for example, are great excursions for the whole family.
BIKING
New Hampshire’s country roads are perfect for bicycle touring, letting you pedal from campground to campground or inn to inn. There are also numerous recreational trails at every level of difficulty for people who want to ride for a few hours or a few days. One popular route is along the Northern Rail Trail, a 77-kilometre path that follows a disused railway line among some of the prettiest scenery in the state.
Mountain bikers love the challenging trails that New Hampshire’s rugged terrain throws at them. Some of the state’s ski areas offer mountain biking adventures in the summertime, like Mount Sunapee Resort and Bretton Woods. As a bonus, these mountains offer lift service to the top so that you can spend more of your time enjoying the ride downhill.
SURFING
A lot of visitors forget that New Hampshire has a sea coast. At only 28 km in length it’s the shortest in the United States, but good things come in small packages. The Granite State boasts some of the cleanest beaches for swimming and excellent spots for surfing.
New Hampshire offers some great surf spots, most notably The Wall near Hampton Beach. It’s a beach break that is large enough to handle a big crowd and is suitable for beginners.
The beach break at Jenness State Beach is also a nice place for people looking for a gentle ride. Experts head out to Rye on the Rocks to carve the waves generated by the rocky reefs that lie off shore.
WHITE- WATER RAFTING
Plunging t hrough t he rapids in a rubber raft or inflatable kayak is a thrill that is hard to beat. New Hampshire’s Androscoggin River is home to some of the state’s most exciting white water.
Numerous outfitters can take families and individuals for day- long outings in the river’s class II and class III rapids, including ELC Outdoors, North Woods Rafting and Raft NH. You will get wet but you will love every minute of it.
ZIPLINING
Flying through the air on a zipline at speeds as fast as a car is probably the closest you’ ll come to feeling like a bird. New Hampshire has several locations for this thrilling experience, like Attitash Mountain Resort and Gunstock Mountain, which boast some of the longest canopy tours in the continental United States. The resorts at Loon Mountain, Alpine Adventures and Cranmore Mountain Resort also offer tree- top zipline tours of their own. Each experience is unique, and zipline connoisseurs will want to sample them all.
No matter what your preferred way to get outside to soak up the sunshine and breathe the fresh air, New Hampshire will have you coming back for more.