Crawford Notch cuts a dramatic gap through the White Mountains, its steep walls rising 2,000 feet on either side. For nearly two centuries, this pass has been the gateway to the Presidential Range—first by horse, then by rail, now by car and boot.
The hiking here is remarkably diverse. You can walk to New Hampshire's tallest waterfall in an hour, climb to one of the best viewpoints in the state in under two miles, or tackle multiple 4000-footers in a single ambitious day. History buffs will find some of the oldest trails in America, while families will find gentle paths through spectacular scenery.
Crawford Notch doesn't get the crowds of Franconia or Pinkham, but the hiking is just as good—maybe better. Here's everything you need to know.
Getting to Crawford Notch
Crawford Notch State Park straddles Route 302 between Twin Mountain and Bartlett. The main visitor facilities cluster around Crawford Depot, about 20 minutes from either end of the notch.
Key Trailheads
- Crawford Depot: Starting point for Mount Willard, Crawford Path, and Avalon Trail
- Arethusa Falls Parking: 2 miles south, for Arethusa Falls and Ripley Falls
- Webster-Jackson Trailhead: At the top of the notch, for Webster Cliff and Jackson
- Ethan Pond Trailhead: South end, for Ethan Pond and Willey Range
Parking
Most trailheads require a $5 day-use fee (NH State Parks pass or America the Beautiful pass accepted). Crawford Depot has the largest lot but fills on summer weekends by 9 AM.
Best Easy Hikes
Mount Willard
- Distance: 3.2 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 900 feet
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
- Time: 1.5-2.5 hours
Mount Willard might be the best bang-for-buck hike in all of New Hampshire. In just 1.6 miles of gentle climbing on an old carriage road, you reach a cliff-edge viewpoint overlooking the entire notch—dramatic walls, the highway ribbon far below, and peaks stretching to the horizon.
The trail follows the historic Willard carriage road, built in the 1840s to serve the grand hotels. The grade rarely exceeds 10%, making this accessible to almost anyone. Kids, dogs, and hikers of all abilities can handle it.
Pro tip: Go early or late for the best light and smallest crowds. Sunrise from Willard is spectacular.
Arethusa Falls
- Distance: 2.6 miles round trip (via Arethusa Falls Trail)
- Elevation Gain: 800 feet
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
- Time: 1.5-2 hours
At 140 feet, Arethusa Falls is the tallest single-drop waterfall in New Hampshire. The hike follows a pleasant woodland path with some rocky sections near the top. The falls are most impressive in spring when snowmelt swells the flow.
You can combine this with Ripley Falls (via Ripley Falls Trail) for a 4.8-mile loop that bags two major waterfalls.
Ripley Falls
- Distance: 1.0 mile round trip
- Elevation Gain: 300 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 30-45 minutes
A quick out-and-back to a beautiful 100-foot cascade. The trail is short and relatively flat, making this a good option for families with young children or anyone looking for a quick nature fix.
Moderate Hikes
Mount Avalon
- Distance: 3.7 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,550 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time: 2.5-3.5 hours
Avalon offers outstanding views for moderate effort. The summit looks directly at the southern Presidentials, with Mount Washington dominating the horizon. The trail passes several viewpoints on the way up and can be combined with a loop over Mount Field and Mount Tom.
Frankenstein Cliff
- Distance: 3.8 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time: 2-3 hours
Named for an artist, not the monster, Frankenstein Cliff offers dramatic views of Crawford Notch and the surrounding peaks. In winter, the cliff face becomes a popular ice climbing destination. The hiking trail approaches from the south, with several viewpoints along the way.
Challenging Hikes: The 4000-Footers
Webster-Jackson Loop
- Distance: 6.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Time: 4-6 hours
- Peaks: Mount Webster (3,910'), Mount Jackson (4,052')
This classic loop bags one 4000-footer and one almost-4000-footer with dramatically different characters. Webster offers exposed cliff walks with stunning views down into the notch; Jackson has a wooded summit with a rock outcrop viewpoint.
Most hikers go counterclockwise (Webster first), tackling the steep Webster Cliff Trail while legs are fresh and descending the more moderate Jackson Trail. The Webster Cliffs section has some exposure—not technical, but attention-grabbing.
Mount Tom, Field, and Avalon Loop
- Distance: 8.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,800 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Time: 5-7 hours
- Peaks: Mount Tom (4,051'), Mount Field (4,340'), Mount Avalon (3,442')
A longer day that bags two 4000-footers and crosses the beautiful Zealand Valley. This loop follows the Avalon Trail up, traverses the Willey Range Trail, and descends via the A-Z Trail or back over Avalon. The views from Field's summit are excellent, and the ridgeline walking is pleasant.
The Willey Range
- Distance: 10+ miles (various options)
- Elevation Gain: 3,500+ feet
- Difficulty: Very Strenuous
- Peaks: Willey (4,285'), Field (4,340'), Tom (4,051')
For peak baggers, the full Willey Range traverse hits three 4000-footers in one day. Start from Ethan Pond Trail and work north over the summits. This is a full-day endeavor requiring good fitness and route planning.
History and Heritage
The Crawford Path
The Crawford Path, which climbs to Mount Washington from Crawford Depot, is the oldest continuously maintained hiking trail in America—first cut in 1819 by Abel Crawford and his son Ethan Allen Crawford. Walking this trail connects you to nearly 200 years of mountain history.
The full Crawford Path to Washington is 8.5 miles one way with 5,000+ feet of gain—a serious undertaking. But you can sample it by hiking partway to views, turning back whenever you've had enough.
The Grand Hotels
In the late 1800s, Crawford Notch hosted grand resort hotels that drew wealthy vacationers from Boston and New York. Fire and time have claimed most of them, but the Crawford Depot building (now an AMC facility) and the cog railway base preserve echoes of that era.
The Willey Slide
In 1826, a massive landslide swept down Mount Willey, killing the entire Willey family as they fled their home. The house itself was untouched—the slide split around it. This tragedy made national news and helped cement Crawford Notch's reputation as a place of sublime natural power.
Planning Your Visit
When to Go
- May-June: Waterfalls at peak flow, muddy trails higher up
- July-August: Prime hiking season, crowds on popular trails
- September-October: Fall foliage, cooler temps, fewer crowds
- Winter: Many trails become snowshoe routes, Arethusa Falls freezes spectacularly
Where to Stay
- AMC Highland Center: Lodge and hostel accommodations at Crawford Depot with educational programs
- Dry River Campground: State park campground within the notch
- Twin Mountain or Bartlett: Hotels and vacation rentals nearby
Combining Trails
Crawford Notch's central location makes it easy to combine with other areas:
- Franconia Notch is 20 minutes north
- Pinkham Notch (Mount Washington) is 40 minutes east
- Zealand Falls is 15 minutes northwest
Quick Reference: Crawford Notch Hikes
| Trail | Distance | Gain | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Willard | 3.2 mi | 900' | Easy | Views, families |
| Arethusa Falls | 2.6 mi | 800' | Easy | Waterfall |
| Webster-Jackson | 6.5 mi | 2,500' | Strenuous | 4000-footer |
| Avalon | 3.7 mi | 1,550' | Moderate | Views |
Crawford Notch offers the full White Mountains experience without the overwhelming crowds of the more famous destinations. Whether you want a quick waterfall stroll or an all-day peak-bagging mission, you'll find it here—wrapped in centuries of mountain history and some of the most dramatic scenery in the Northeast.
