With a name like the Artists Bluff Trail, you can probably already guess just how impressive the views are from this storied hiking trail in Franconia Notch State Park. Sweeping views of the Notch and breathtakingly vibrant fall colors spread out at your feet on the Artists Bluff Trail, which is arguably one of the best places to enjoy fall foliage in New Hampshire.
Not only is the Artists Bluff Trail stunning, but it’s also easy to access – especially when you stay with us at our Bed and Breakfast in New Hampshire! Sugar Hill Inn is just ten minutes from Franconia Notch State Park, where you’ll find some top things to do in the White Mountains, including the Flume Gorge and the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. There’s a host of adventures waiting for you in the White Mountains this fall – but it’s also one of the most popular times of year to visit.
From great hiking and biking to gorgeous train rides and scenic drives through some of the most talked-about destinations in the country for fall foliage, there’s no shortage of things to do in the White Mountains this fall. It’s all at your fingertips when you stay with us at our top-rated Bed and Breakfast in New Hampshire. Whatever you do and wherever you go while here, it will be beautiful. But first, book your room at our Bed and Breakfast in New Hampshire!
Your Guide to the Artists Bluff Trail
There are so many great hikes in the White Mountains worth talking about – but on the brink of another fantastic season of fall foliage, there’s one on our mind more than others. That’s the Artists Bluff Trail, located in Franconia Notch State Park. The Artists Bluff Trail is one of our favorites, and it’s a popular choice among our guests, too. Though the view from the top of the trail, overlooking Franconia Notch and Echo Lake below, is beautiful any time of year, there’s something extraordinary about it during fall foliage season.
In part, the popularity of the Artists Bluff Trail is because it’s relatively easy. It’s a fairly short hike, coming in at just about 1.5 miles, compared to many of the multi-mile loop trails and challenging mountain terrain of other hikes in the area. The short and easy nature of the hike has no bearing on the view you’ll enjoy at the end, though. It’s just as breathtaking as those big mountain peaks!
The easiest path to the Artists Bluff Trail is via the Bald Mountain trailhead. The trail is short but has steep sections, especially toward the end. When you reach the top, you’ll find yourself on a rocky overlook with panoramic views of Franconia Notch State Park. It’s a great hike to take any time – and is even popular on snowshoes during the winter. This is also an excellent option for sunset hikes, given the short distance. You can reach the peak, enjoy the sunset, and return to your car before it gets too dark to see the trail.
Though the Artists Bluff Trail is one of our favorite things to do in Franconia Notch State Park, you should find the time to explore other reaches of this magnificent park. It’s one of the top attractions in the White Mountains and for a good reason. A few highlights of Franconia Notch State Park include:
- Besides hiking to Artists Bluff Trail, the Flume Gorge will be the highlight of your visit to Franconia Notch State Park. The gorge is open from May – November. You’ll walk through a beautiful, lush, narrow gorge with steeply rising granite walls. The walls are 70-90 feet, and the gorge is only 12-20 feet wide.
- Enjoy even more breathtaking fall foliage views in New Hampshire from the top of the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. This was the first passenger aerial tramway in North America and has been operated since 1938. It takes 8 minutes to get to the top of the 4,080-foot summit of Cannon Mountain, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
- After you ride to the top, visit The Basin, a large pothole in the Pemigewasset River. A glacier formed this fascinating geologic feature around 25,000 years ago, and is easily accessible just off the main highway.
- Paddle around on Echo Lake, where you’ll be surrounded by gorgeous fall hues. From the water, you’ll enjoy views of Lafayette and Cannon Mountain.
More Things to Do in the White Mountains in Fall
Though the Artists Bluff Trail and the remaining attractions at Franconia Notch State Park truly offer some of the best views of fall foliage in New Hampshire, there’s far more to explore while you’re in the White Mountains. You don’t even have to leave the grounds at our Bed and Breakfast in New Hampshire to enjoy stunning fall views!
Whether you’re here for a few days or an entire week, you’ll never run out of things to do in the White Mountains – especially in the fall! Fall colors will peak sometime in late September through mid-October, depending on the conditions this year. Below, we’ve listed a few more of our favorite ways to enjoy fall foliage in New Hampshire.
- Scenic drives are one of our favorite ways to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage in New Hampshire. Everywhere you drive will be beautiful, but some stretches of road are better than others. Two of the most popular drives in the fall are the Mt. Washington Auto Road and the Kancamangus Highway.
- You can also enjoy scenic trail rides through the magnificent fall foliage in New Hampshire. Choose the steep inclines of the Mount Washington Cog Railway, the Hobo Railroad, or traverse Crawford Notch on the Conway Scenic Railroad.
- The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway in Franconia Notch State Park is great, but it’s not the only way to take in high mountain views of fall foliage in New Hampshire. You can also take scenic gondola rides at Loon Mountain.
- Add a little adrenaline into your New Hampshire getaway this fall, and go ziplining through the colorful treetops with Alpine Adventures.
- There’s no better time to tour New Hampshire’s covered bridges than in the fall.
Of course, you can enjoy plenty of beautiful New Hampshire fall foliage right here at our Bed and Breakfast in New Hampshire – where you can relax and unwind in style. Between our comfortable accommodations, exceptional service, and award-winning restaurant, you’ll want for nothing during your time with us. Book your room today!
