Grafton VermontHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Grafton, Vermont.
1. Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center
DIVERSE TRAIL NETWORK
Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center offers a network of hiking trails right in the town of Grafton with varying difficulty levels from relatively flat and easy to steep and technical. Visitors can explore scenic overlooks, discover an old cabin, or take a refreshing dip in the pond after their hike. The area is rich in history, featuring the Turner Family Homestead and several original stone wall boundaries that add historical interest to the natural beauty.
2. Mount Watatic Loop
SCENIC WAPACK TRAIL LOOP
Mount Watatic Loop via Wapack Trail is a popular 4.1-mile loop trail near Grafton that offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. The moderate difficulty trail rewards hikers with panoramic vistas from the summit after a steady climb through mixed forest. Hikers particularly enjoy the well-maintained paths and the opportunity to connect with other trails in the Wapack range.
3. Gile State Forest Loop
FORESTED MOUNTAIN TRAILS
Gile State Forest Loop combines the Barlow Trail and Winslow Trail for a comprehensive hiking experience within reach of Grafton. This moderately challenging loop takes hikers through dense forest with occasional glimpses of the surrounding valleys and mountains. The trail features interesting rock formations and a diverse array of plant life that changes dramatically with the seasons.
4. Mount Cardigan Loop
BALD SUMMIT VIEWS
Mount Cardigan Loop via Manning Trail offers hikers a rewarding ascent to a distinctive bald granite summit. The moderate to difficult trail provides increasingly spectacular views as hikers approach the 3,155-foot peak with its historic fire tower. From the summit, hikers can enjoy a 360-degree panorama that includes the White Mountains, Vermont's Green Mountains, and on clear days, even Maine's Mount Washington.
5. Franconia Ridge Loop
ICONIC WHITE MOUNTAIN TREK
Franconia Ridge Loop is an 8.3-mile challenging hike that traverses the exposed alpine ridge connecting Mount Lafayette and Mount Lincoln. The strenuous trail rewards hikers with breathtaking above-treeline views and a unique experience of walking along a knife-edge ridge with panoramic vistas in all directions. This iconic White Mountain trek is considered one of New England's most spectacular day hikes, featuring dramatic elevation changes and diverse alpine ecosystems.
6. Pemi Loop
CHALLENGING WILDERNESS CIRCUIT
The Pemi Loop is an ambitious 30-mile trek through the heart of the White Mountain's Pemigewasset Wilderness, accessible as a multi-day adventure from Grafton. This challenging circuit traverses multiple 4,000-foot peaks including Bondcliff, Bond, South Twin, and Garfield, offering some of the most remote and spectacular mountain scenery in New England. Hikers navigate rugged terrain with significant elevation gain, passing alpine zones, pristine forests, and cascading streams along this bucket-list backpacking route.
7. The Presidential Traverse
LEGENDARY ALPINE CHALLENGE
The Presidential Traverse is a legendary 19-mile route crossing the Presidential Range of New Hampshire's White Mountains, conquering several summits including Mount Washington, the Northeast's highest peak. This extremely strenuous hike features extended periods above treeline, exposing hikers to alpine environments with fragile ecosystems and potentially extreme weather conditions. The traverse rewards determined hikers with unparalleled views across the Northeast, dramatic alpine terrain, and the satisfaction of completing one of the region's most challenging and respected hiking routes.
8. Welch-Dickey Mountain Loop
LEDGES AND VIEWS
The Welch-Dickey Mountain Loop is a popular 4.2-mile circuit offering exceptional views from open ledges and two distinctive summits. This moderate hike features interesting rock formations, open ridge walking, and panoramic vistas of the surrounding White Mountains that far exceed what might be expected from its modest elevation. The trail is known for its variety of terrain, from forested paths to exposed granite slabs that require careful footing but provide outstanding photographic opportunities.
9. Turner Family Homestead Trail
HISTORIC WOODLAND PATH
The Turner Family Homestead Trail in Grafton takes hikers through scenic woodland to visit the site of one of the area's original settlements. This easy to moderate trail combines natural beauty with historical significance as it passes several original stone wall boundaries dating back to early Vermont settlements. Hikers can appreciate both the tranquil forest environment and glimpses into the region's past, making it an excellent choice for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
10. Grafton Pond Hiking Path
REFRESHING WATERSIDE WALK
The Grafton Pond Hiking Path offers a relaxing walk around the swimming pond at the Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center. This easy, family-friendly trail provides scenic water views and access to a floating dock in the middle of the pond where hikers can take a refreshing swim during summer months. The path connects to the broader trail network, allowing visitors to extend their adventure into more challenging terrain if desired.