If you’re looking for a hike in the White Mountains that’s short but incredibly rewarding, the Mt Willard hike is it.
New Hampshire’s Mt Willard Hike
New Hampshire’s White Mountains are a hiker’s paradise, but most of the summit trails here are either too difficult or too long for the more casual tourist. The hike up Mt. Willard, however, is both relatively short and incredibly rewarding. Though surrounded by much taller mountains, the view overlooking Crawford Notch from Mt. Willard’s southeast cliff is one of the best vistas in the entire state.
Things to Know Before Hiking Mt Willard
- Length: 3.2 miles roundtrip
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Time to Complete: 2-2.5 hours
- Elevation Gain: 900 ft
Where to Park and Trailhead location:
- There is ample parking along Route 302 at the Crawford Depot in Carroll, NH. However, if the parking lot is full (which happens frequently), there’s are other lots nearby or you can park along the side of Route 302 itself. There is no fee to park here.
- The Mt Willard hike trailhead itself is across the tracks from the depot, on the west side of the road.
- The Crawford Depot itself has both restrooms and a gift store run by the Appalachian Mountain Club. It’s a great place to for a pit stop before or after your hike.
What to bring:
- Jacket – even if it’s not a cold day, the summit of Mt Willard is exposed and prone to being extremely windy.
- Hiking boots – the trail is very rocky, so you’ll want shoes with good traction.
- Water – even though it’s a short hike, it’s all uphill to the the summit, so you’ll want a fully stocked water bottle.
- (Check out my full hiking packing list for more tips!)
Mt Willard Hike
Both my friend and I are avid hikers, but we have different fitness abilities. So on a weekend trip to the White Mountains, I was looking for hikes that we’d both enjoy – ones that were enough work to be considered a hike, wouldn’t take all day, and had a view that made it worth doing. The hike up Mt Willard sounded like something that would check all those boxes, so I added it to our itinerary. And boy am I glad I did!
The Mt Willard trail begins as part of the Mt Avalon trail for a short way into the forest until it reaches a junction where the trail to Mt Willard branches off to the left. There’s a wooden billboard and a little sign with Mt Willard carved into it that makes it clear which way you need to go.
Wooden sign marking the right trail
The trail begins going uphill almost immediately, following a lovely stream through thick pine groves for almost half a mile. At that point, it reaches a waterfall with a pool at the bottom of it called “Centennial Pool.” It’s small but we saw a number of people swimming in it. I thought it was too cold the day we did the hike, but I bet it would be refreshing on a hot summer day!
Waterfall and “Centennial Pool”
From there, the trail leaves the stream and gets steeper and rockier. This section of the trail use to be a carriage road to the top of the mountain, an amenity for the long-gone Crawford House hotel complex that used to sit where the gift shop is today. As a result, the trail itself is almost straight up the mountainside and fairly wide with several concrete culverts that cross it.
The trail finally levels out about a tenth of a mile from the end, just before it leaves the woods and leads out on a cliff face where you’ll be rewarded with absolutely epic views of Crawford Notch.
Overall, I thought this was an excellent hike. It’s certainly popular – we started our hike around 10AM, and by the time we were on our way down, it was absolutely packed. But I understand why! It’s short enough that just about anyone can do it, tough enough to get in a nice workout, and the view is stunning. It’s a perfect addition to any White Mountains itinerary!
Where to Stay in the White Mountains
We stayed in a lovely AirBnB cabin in Bartlett, but the area is full of lodges, B&Bs, and ski resorts.
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This sounds like a great, easier hike that you can combine with other activities to make a day of it. Is it dog friendly?
Yes, there were tons of dogs on the trail the day I went!
We have not yet spent much time in New Hampshire. But we love finding new hiking spots when we travel. Good to know that the roundtrip hike at Mt Willard would be a good one for us to do. But also to be prepared for crowds if you start later in the day.
Thanks for the info. I haven’t spent much time in New Hampshire and have wanted to get to know the state a little better. The hiking looks perfect.
I love a good hike, this one sounds amazing! The waterfall is beautiful!
This looks like a great hike, the perfect middle ground for abilities in hiking, and I often appreciate an easier hike. Especially one with a view.
I like how you have mentioned that the hike is short enough that just about anyone can do it, and tough enough to get in a nice workout. That makes the hike sound so worthful.
Sometimes this kind of hike is just what you need – not too long or hard, BUT you get to see those amazing views. No wonder it is popular, especially at this time of year as the leaves are starting to change colour. Goorgeous.
I enjoy hiking and this looks like a beautiful place to hike in. The waterfall is so pretty.
Mt. Willard looks like such an amazing hike! Both short and rewarding trails are not easy to find indeed, so this one definitely goes on my bucket list!
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful description of the Mt. Willard hike! It sounds like the perfect trail for anyone looking for a rewarding yet manageable adventure. The combination of stunning views and a relatively short hike is ideal for a day trip. I especially appreciate the tips about the trail’s history and the waterfall along the way—it sounds like a peaceful spot to take a break. Your detailed guide, with practical advice on what to bring and where to park, makes this hike sound even more accessible and enjoyable.
I enjoy hiking and this looks like a beautiful place to hike in. The waterfall is so pretty.