Family Friendly Hikes

With its breathtaking scenery, diverse wildlife, and well-maintained trails, Waterville Valley is a perfect destination for families seeking unforgettable hiking experiences. Waterville Valley boasts a vast network of trails, winding through lush forests, serene rivers, and awe-inspiring peaks. From easy strolls to more challenging hikes, there's something for everyone. The Valley offers a range of family-friendly trails suitable for all ages and stages. 

SMARTS BROOK 

This is a very easy out and back hike that leads to a popular swimming hole just over a mile from Route 49. 

Distance: 2.2 Miles (round trip)  

Elevation Gain: 230 feet  

Time: 40-60 minutes 

The trail begins at the southwestern end of the Smarts Brook parking lot. Smarts Brook Trailhead is located on RT 49, on your left as you drive out of Waterville Valley. From the parking lot, the trail turns left and enters the woods on some log steps, joining with an old roadbed. 

Soon a cross country ski trail with a blue marker bears to the left. Stay right and follow the trail through a stand of hemlocks until you come across an old logging road. Here, the Tri-Town Trail continues straight ahead. Turn left to remain on the Smart’s Brook Trail. After a while, you’ll notice Smarts Brook following the trail on your left. After about 2 minutes, you will come to a forest protection area, where there is a popular swimming hole. From here you can enjoy the cool waters then head back the way you came. 

THE CASCADES 

This is an easy out and back trail to a unique section of Slide Brook with scenic rapids and swimming holes. 

Distance: 3 miles (round trip)  

Elevation Gain: 540 feet  

Time: 1.5-2.5 hours 

Start your hike at the Snow’s Mountain Parking Lot. Park in the north end of the lot, furthest away from the chairlift. From here you will walk across Cascade Ridge Road to begin the trail. There is a sign marking the trailhead. Next you will walk up a grassy hill following the curves of the road. After entering a wooded section there will be a fork in the trail in front of a large house, you will stay right. The trail continues up the hill and crosses the road before joining an old ski trail on Snow’s mountain. 

Continue to follow the trail until it forks again, there will be a Cascade Path sign marking the left path. The trail begins to rise and winds through the forest as you cross the Swazeytown cross country ski trail. From here you will continue uphill for a moment before spending a good distance gently meandering downhill, passing an intersection with the Elephant Rock hiking trail. 

1.2 miles into your hike the trail joins with the Lower Snow’s Mountain trail near a small bridge. Take a right and cross the bridge, following the trail for a couple hundred feet until you come to the next bridge. Just before it you will see another Cascade Path sign where the trail branches off to the right. 

After 0.2 miles you will come to the first in a series of waterfalls and gorges. The trail splits at the first waterfall, you can hike up either side of the brook. Both sides offer unique and fantastic views of the cascades and the pools below. These pools are great swimming spots on hot days. The trails terminate after 0.3 miles, meeting at a large bridge on the Upper Snow’s Mountain trail. 

From here you can continue down the other side of the brook and head back the way you came or you can use the Snow’s Mountain Trail to explore other areas. 

 
 
GOODRICH ROCK 

This is a moderate out and back trail that winds through a field of large boulders. It ends by climbing a ladder to the top of the largest boulder where you’ll find great views of the Valley. 

Distance: 4 miles  

Elevation Gain: 740 feet  

Time: 1:45 to 2:45 hrs 

The hike to Goodrich Rock begins in the Livermore Road parking lot. Walk past the information stand and fee area and turn left down the gravel path. After a short walk you will reach a small meadow with an intersection. You will then continue straight through the meadow, over a bridge, and back into the woods. Almost immediately after crossing the bridge you will take a left onto the Greeley Ponds Trail. 

The straight path, lined with pine trees, gently slopes uphill until joining with the banks of the mad river. Shortly after this, you will see the Goodrich Rock Trail on your left. The narrow trail climbs somewhat steeply up to a set of stone and wooden steps. From there it levels off, crosses a small brook, and leads you to the Davis Boulders. The trail winds through broken-open chunks of granite and under a cave-like passageway. 

After passing through the boulder field, you will re-enter a conifer forest. When Goodrich Rock comes into view, the trail will circle around the backside of the rock leading you to a wooden ladder. Climb up the ladder to the top of Goodrich Rock and enjoy the views of Waterville Valley Ski Resort, Tecumseh, the Sandwich Range and the Valley below. As this is a frequently traveled destination, hikers are asked to be careful of the outcrop communities of lichen and balsam trees growing in this precipitous habitat. 
 
 
 

BIG PINES PATH 

This is a short, easy out and back trail that leads to the banks of the Mad River where there are some enormous White Pine trees. 

Distance: 1.8 miles (round trip)  

Elevation Gain: 30 feet  

Time: 40-60 minutes 

Start your hike at the Livermore parking lot. You will walk past the information stand and fee area and almost immediately take a left onto Livermore Road. Follow Livermore Road as it gently travels through the woods. When you get to a small meadow with an intersection you will continue straight, passing over a couple of small bridges. 

After about 0.6 miles you will pass Boulder Path on your right. Take a quick step onto this trail to see a giant boulder left behind by the receding glaciers. After passing Boulder Path and continuing down Livermore Road you will immediately climb a small hill, then the trail sign for Big Pines Path will come into view on the left. 

Pass the sign and you will be on a small, narrow trail meandering through a pine forest. As you approach the river you will descend two sharp hills. At the bottom of the second drop, you will find the large white pine trees for which the trail was named. From there you can make your way over to the river and enjoy the running water. 
 
 
 

MAD RIVER PATH 

This short, easy trail closely parallels the Mad River, with two stairways up to a height of land offering interesting river views. It also features a footbridge made from large stepping stones. 

Distance: 1 mile (one way)  

Time: 30 minutes 

The trail begins off the Mad River cross-country ski trail. From Town Square, cross the bridge and turn right on the Village X-C Ski Trail. Follow the trail through the tunnel, and then turn right on a bridge over Snows Brook. Continue straight onto a second bridge, crossing over the Mad River. 

You’ll see a sign for the Mad River hiking trail heading into the woods, located to the right of the X-C trail. After a small bridge and a series of steep rock steps up to a plateau, the trail walks along the high and steep-sided glacial riverbank. It soon descends steeply on another long series of steep wooden steps leading down to the riverbank. You will cross a series of small streams and footbridges at the confluence with the West Branch of the Mad River. The final section easily traces the river and ends at West Branch Road