Want to start hiking in New Hampshire but have no idea where to begin? If you need to build up strength and stamina before tackling one or many of the State’s higher peaks it can be challenging to know where to start. There are a plethora of mountains in New Hampshire of varying heights to help you reach your goals, or, if you live in a city or out of state there are ways you can utilize your own yoga mat or gym membership to get into mountain shape.
The following plans are suggestions and serve as a place to start but by no means are the only way one can go about getting in hiking shape. They were put together to provide an experience where each mountain you climb is, in some way, more difficult to the last until you are tackling the higher summits of New Hampshire like a pro. Repeating any of the listed mountains will also help maintain your fitness levels even after you’ve reached your hiking goals. Using these lists in concert to more incrementally increase your hiking fitness is another helpful method to ease into the mountains. Climbing mountains though is not the only way to get in hiking shape. The stepwise series of mountain plans is followed by a list of other worthy activities that will help you acclimate to hiking in New Hampshire. As always, be sure to consult with a doctor or fitness professional before endeavoring into a new physical regiment.
Plan 1 – Begin on the Seacoast.
This plan is tailored for folks who are starting their NH hiking journey and live on or by the NH seacoast.
| Hike | Mountain |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mt Agamenticus |
| 2 | South Mountain Lookout Tower Trail |
| 3 | Lockes Hill |
| 4 | Mt Rowe |
| 5 | South Piper Mountain |
| 6 | Mt Gunstock Orange Trail |
| 7 | South Moat Mountain |
| 8 | Mt Kearsarge North |
| 9 | Mt Jackson* |
| 10 | Mt Eisenhower* |
Plan 2 – Begin in the Lakes Region
This plan is tailored for folks who are starting their NH hiking journey and live in or near the central lakes region of the state.
| Hike | Mountain |
|---|---|
| 1 | Knight’s Pond Loop |
| 2 | Bridle Path to Turtleback Mountain Trail |
| 3 | Lockes Hill |
| 4 | Mt Rowe |
| 5 | South Piper Mountain |
| 6 | Mt Major |
| 7 | Red Hill |
| 8 | Mt Israel |
| 9 | Mt Tecumseh* |
| 10 | Mt Passaconaway* |
Plan 3 – Begin in the White Mountains
This plan is tailored for folks who are starting their NH hiking journey and live in or near the White Mountain National Forest.
| Hike | Mountain |
|---|---|
| 1 | Upper Greeley Pond Trail |
| 2 | Artist’s Bluff Trail |
| 3 | Champney Falls Trail |
| 4 | Welsh Mountain Rock Ledge |
| 5 | Mt Hedgehog via UNH Trail |
| 6 | Mt Avalon |
| 7 | Mt Kearsage North |
| 8 | Mt Pierce* |
| 9 | Mt Tremont |
| 10 | Mt Moosilauke* |
Plan 4 – Begin in the South
This plan is tailored for folks who are starting their NH hiking journey and live in the souther most part of the state, west of the seacoast.
Plan 5 – Begin in the North
This plan is tailored for folks who are starting their NH hiking journey and live North of the White Mountain National Forest.
* Denote listed 4000 footers
If you are from out of state and need a similar hiking plan, begin with AllTrails. Find hikes near you and utilize the elevation gain and difficulty, as well as scrutinizing the topographical maps to make a step wise plan for yourself in your home state.
If you live nowhere near these mountains or if you’d like to mix in other exercises in the week to keep up your progress here are some suggestions that will help work similar muscles and skills as hiking. Working with a fitness professional would also be beneficial because they can help create tailored plans for you to help further strengthen the parts of your body most used on a hike such as legs, calves, and core.
| Activity | How does this help me be a better hiker? |
|---|---|
| Stair Climber | Climbing stairs is a lot like climbing a mountain. This will help exercise many of the same muscles |
| Long walks | Building up the amount of time you’re comfortable on your feet is key for hiking |
| Jogging / Running | These aerobic exercises will help build your lung capacity |
| Lifting Weights and Bodyweight Exercises | Muscles from your abs to your calves are used during a long hike so training those muscles in other ways can also be beneficial |
| Cycling | Cycling not only builds lung capacity but also works out your quads and glutes, both major muscle group used for hiking |
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