I am an active mom of three boys. To keep us healthy and spend quality time together, we love to get out into our surrounding area by hiking. With mountains, forests, and varied coastlines, New England has so much to offer. Whether you want a long hike in the woods or a short hike along the ocean, these are some of the best hiking spots in New England. Read on to find the perfect New England hike to meet your family’s needs.
My Family’s Favorite New England Hikes
1. Purgatory Chasm, Sutton, Massachusetts
Purgatory Chasm is definitely my boys’ favorite and the hike they ask to take repeatedly. They love that it can involve a fair amount of bouldering! If you aren’t up for the thrill of that, you can scramble over the bottom of the gully. This hike may be scary or too difficult for small kids. Read more about our hiking at Purgatory Chasm.
2. Cape Cod Canal Trail, Bourne, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
This 14-mile round trip, multi-use, paved trail runs along the canal that separates the Cape Cod Peninsula from mainland Massachusetts. Read on for information about the Cape Cod Canal Trail.
3. Lonesome Lake, Lincoln, New Hampshire
Lonesome Lake is a full day hike up to an ATP cabin where you can enjoy lunch on top of the mountain with a gorgeous lake view. I especially enjoy the beauty of the marshes along the lake. Read on for more of our favorite family hikes in New Hampshire.
4. Stepping Stone Falls, Arcadia Management Area, Rhode Island
Although this hike can be tricky to find, the small continuous falls along this short hike are perfect for taking little kids to interact with nature.
5. Talcott Mountain, Simsbury, Connecticut
Climbing up to Hublein Tower provides one of my favorite views of New England in the fall. You can see all the way into Massachusetts! Read on for more of my favorite New England fall activities.
6. Flume Gorge, Lincoln, New Hampshire
Covered bridges, caves for exploring, waterfalls, and mountain views are all found along a natural chasm- the perfect recipe for a New Hampshire family day in nature.
Read on for more hikes around Lincoln, New Hampshire.
7. Tumbledown Mountain, Franklin County, Maine
We are big fans of the granite stone walls and the coniferous beauty of western Maine. It is not easy, but this spectacular full-day hike will give you an overview of what this area of New England has to offer. Read on for all the details about climbing Tumbledown Mountain.
8. Mount Major, New Hampshire
This moderate hike up a mountain will reward you with views of lakes and New Hampshire’s highest peak, Mount Washington. Read on for all the details.
9. Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown, Rhode Island
As the name implies, you can catch a glimpse of some unique bird species, but this family-friendly hike also ends with a view of Second Beach in Newport. It is an excellent blend of forest, wildlife, and coastline.
10. Cadillac Mountain Summit Path, Acadia National Park, Maine
This US National Park is one of my favorites, and the view from this short paved path is unbelievable, so it tops my list!
Read about the best way to spend a fall weekend in Acadia National Park.
11. High Ledges, The Berkshires, Shelburne, Massachusetts
This half-mile walk through a nature conservatory ends with a panoramic view of the Deerfield Valley.
Read on for information about a day in Shelburne Falls.
What are your favorite New England Hikes? Be sure to let me know in the comments.
For more information, check out my hiking category of posts or check out A Local’s Guide to New England.
