Echo Lake
Echo lake is a stunning, glassy pond, encircled by sandy beaches, and residing in the shadow of Cathedral Ledge, a popular facade for climbing. The trail around the lake is one mile in length but there are other, more difficult trails which branch off of this one as well. Echo Lake State Park and its lake loop trail are worth visiting in any season. Being a popular destination, parking does fill up fast but there is extensive road side parking available. Parking fees are levied via a self serve station or a park ranger. Pit toilets are available at the park entrance during the in-season. After your loop (or several), take advantage of the day at this location by convening at a picnic table for lunch, taking a dip in the pond, or launching a paddle board.
Diana’s Baths
The cascading falls and pools that make up Diana’s baths are accessed via a wide gravel path. The falls, once powering a mill whose remnants can still be seen, are sourced by crystal clear mountain runoff which cuts into the granite slabs as it gains speed down the mountain. This results in natural pools and granite rocks softened and smoothed by the endless torrent of water. Hikers can walk along the falls and out onto the granite rocks to get a million different vantage points of the landmark.
The path to Diana’s Baths also has turn off points for popular mountains in the area so the small parking lot fills up fast especially in peak season.
Dahl Sanctuary
You could visit North Conway a thousand times and never know this was here. This small trail head leads to a path that winds through marshy grasslands, fields of wildflowers, and ultimately to a rocky beach on the Saco. It’s a paradise for birds who perch in the trees overhead and make their nests in the tall grass. The vantage point from the beach not only allows for scenic river views but of the White Mountains in the distance. The trailhead is right next to the lot for the LLBean outlet in North Conway which does allow for more than just the two lucky visitors that park in the dirt lot that day. In the summer, this is a popular launching spot for people looking to float down the Saco since it is not too deep or fast where the trail meets the river.
The Wild East 