Take a Hike

Whether you and your group are trying to check mountains off of your list, or you are looking for a little exercise outside, there are a number of hikes near our rentals. (You can find a few of our favorites in “5 Scenic Hikes Near North Conway & Bartlett.”) Apart from those, there’s Cathedral Ledge, a moderate 2.9 miles out and back, and North Moat Mountain Trail, a challenging 9-mile hike, which takes about six hours to complete.

One very helpful resource is New Hampshire’s 52-With-A-View (’52 WAV’). It is a list of 52 hikes all under 4,000 feet in elevation with beautiful views. The list was created and is still maintained by Over the Hill Hikers, an experienced group of locals. You’ll see that many hikes are near our rentals!

If you are staying at Mountainside Retreats and Sunset Over Stanton, there are trails that connect directly to the backyards of these properties.

Fly Through a Zip-Line Course

Looking for a bird’s-eye view of the area? Zip-lining is about as close as you can get, plus it provides a good rush for the adrenaline junkies in your group. It takes over three hours to complete the 10 zipline course at the Omni Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods. The intense course has parts where you descend 1,000 feet in elevation and cross high-flying suspension bridges. Alpine Adventures Outdoor Recreation in Lincoln offers three different zipline courses. They also have the Thrillsville Aerial Park, which includes bridges, rope ladders, a climbing tower, and the BigAirBag Stuntzone. Other options include Cranmore’s Aerial Adventure Park, Gunstock Mountain’s ZipTour ZipLines, and Wildcat Mountain’s four-person Zipliner.

Go for a Bike Ride

In “Family-Friendly Activities,” we list a few bike trails that are easy. If your group is looking for something a little more challenging, try the expert-level Crawford Notch Street Loop or the intermediate Jackson Falls Loop. The owners of the local bike shops (Red Jersey Cyclery, Great Glen Outfitters, Stan & Dan Sports, Sun & Ski Sports, and Bob & Terry’s Ski & Sports) always have great suggestions on where to ride.

For those who are looking to leave the road and take to the mountain bike trails, head to Attitash Mountain Resort for more than 20 miles of trails. Another option is Cranmore, where there are six miles of lift-access trails. (Local Flavours has some good tips as well.)

Paddle Through the Wilderness on Kayak or Canoe

On warmer days, you may want to head to the rivers in the area where you can canoe or kayak. Many of the companies in the area will rental everything you need, and coordinate your drop-off and pick-up locations: Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, Northern Extremes Canoe and Kayak, Outdoor ESCAPES, and Saco Canoe Rental. If you just feel like floating around, Saco River Tubing is a fun, relaxing option. The Saco River is one popular destination for all of the local companies and chances are you will spot wildlife along the way.

Drive Up Mount Washington

Want a view but don’t want to work for it? Drive the Mount Washington Auto Road to reach the tallest peak east of the Mississippi River. From the top you will have unparalleled views of the mountains. This road is best traveled during summer, late spring, and early fall since bad weather can make it pretty dangerous.

Go Fly Fishing

If you are staying in one of our rentals that means you are in the heart of New Hampshire’s fly-fishing scene. Rip-Rap Run and The Glade are two popular spots to cast a line. If you are looking for more intel, stop into North Country Angler, where they can provide recommendations, and you can stock up on supplies, such as fly lines and reels as well as “hot flies.” North Country Angler and Fly Fish NH offer guided trips too.

Play a Round of Golf

One of the best parts about golfing in the White Mountains is the constant views from the green. There are a few different options for golfing, but you will want to schedule your tee time before your trip. Eagle Mountain House and Golf Club has nine holes, is family friendly, and runs along the Wildcat River. Hale’s Location Golf Course has nine holes as well as a pro-shop, rentals, lessons, and tournaments. If you are looking for an 18-hole course, try the semi-private North Conway Country Club or Mount Washington Resort.

Try Rock Climbing

You are in the Granite State, so why not try rock climbing? Just a few minutes from our rentals, you will find a number of places to rock climb. The routes range from beginner-friendly to the more steep and challenging paths. The most popular spots are Cathedral and Whitehorse Ledges. If you are looking for an in-depth guidebook, purchase North Conway Rock Climbs, where you will find loads of good advice and information on the sport. If your group is needs more hands-on guidance, Cathedral Mountain Guides, International Mountain Climbing School, 57 Hours and Eastern Mountain Sports School offer guided climbing tours and lessons.