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Nature|National & State Parks

Hike To A Beautiful View Then Dine At A Small-Town Diner On This Delightful Adventure In New Hampshire

A day hike to Mt. Pemigewasset in New Hampshire followed by a meal at Arnold’s Wayside Diner offers scenic views and classic homemade cooking.

Published May 5, 2023

Written by 

Ken MacGray

In my experience as a hiker, nothing will work up an appetite more than climbing a mountain! And there's no better way to refuel after a hike than classic homemade cooking. If you're looking for both, this day hike in New Hampshire to Mt. Pemigewasset followed by a meal at Arnold's Wayside Diner in Lincoln is the perfect combo.

Starting at the Flume Gorge Visitor Center in Franconia Notch State Park, Mt. Pemigewasset Trail makes a moderate 1.5-mile climb to the top of the mountain.

A large boulder surrounded by trees and rocky terrain in a lush green forest. Sunlight filters through the leaves.
Chris F/All Trails

The summit of Mt. Pemigewasset provides some of the best "bang-for-the-buck" views in the White Mountains.

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A panoramic view of lush green mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
Matthew Roman/All Trails

Hikers with children and pets should keep them close at the top, as the summit cliffs drop off precipitously.

A dog stands on a rocky outcrop, overlooking a valley and distant mountains under a clear blue sky.
Liza Cody/All Trails

During the fall foliage season, the ledges atop Mt. Pemigewasset make for an excellent perch to take in the burst of color.

A panoramic view of vibrant autumn foliage covering rolling hills and valleys under a clear blue sky.
Ken MacGray/Flickr

After the hike, follow U.S. Route 3 south from the trailhead for about four miles to Arnold's Wayside Diner, a classic American diner that dates back to 1958.

A vintage diner with a sign reading "Arnold's Wayside Diner," featuring banners for breakfast and lunch.
Arnolds Wayside Diner/Facebook

The diner was originally located in Dover, New Hampshire before it was moved to the town of Lincoln in 1988.

A retro diner interior featuring a counter with stools, a jukebox, and checkered flooring. Bright and inviting atmosphere.
Stephen K/Trip Advisor

Replenish those lost calories with a hearty lunch. If it's breakfast you seek, you're in luck - Arnold's serves it all day!

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A plate featuring a sandwich with corned beef on rye bread, served with a side of fries drizzled with ketchup.
James K/Trip Advisor

For more details and parking information for this day hike in New Hampshire, visit the White Mountains Visitors Center website. Start thinking about that post-hike meal by checking out Arnold's Wayside Diner's menu on their Facebook page.

Looking for more day hike ideas? Here are ten walks that are under five miles and eight more that lead to some of the state's most beautiful waterfalls. I've had the opportunity to visit these spots and highly recommend them!

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Nature|National & State Parks

The Hidden Nature Park In New Hampshire With Its Very Own Old-Growth Trees, Fire Lookout, And So Much More

Published Jun 18, 2024

Written by 

Ken MacGray

New Hampshire is certainly well-known for its natural wonders, such as the high White Mountains and open landscape vistas. The more popular locations can draw thousands of visitors each year. Personally, I prefer to seek out the lesser-traveled spots, which may not be as impressive on a grand scale but are in no way any less interesting. One natural area in New Hampshire that you may not know about is tucked away off an auxiliary highway in the rural town of Tamworth. Let's take a walk to Big Pines Natural Area - Hemenway State Forest.

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Big Pines Natural Area - Hemenway State Forest lies off State Route 113A in the town of Tamworth. A trail system within the forest spans two-and-a-half miles in total.

Wooden sign for Big Pines Natural Area at Remenway State Reservation, surrounded by trees and autumn foliage.
Private Info/All Trails

A variety of woods walks and longer hikes can be made here, from a 0.3-mile interpretive trail to an approximately two-mile round trip to the summit of Great Hill and back.

A wooden bridge with stairs crosses a stream, surrounded by lush green trees and rocky terrain.
Finley Wetmore/All Trails

Big Pines Natural Area features towering eastern white pine trees as tall as 150 feet and as wide as 15 feet. While "young" at 150-200 years of age, these trees are still growing to their maximum size.

A tall tree viewed from below, surrounded by lush green foliage and a bright sky peeking through the leaves.
Julie Twomey/All Trails

In addition to the giant pines, other trees that can be found here include hemlocks up to 300 years old, sugar maples, red spruce, and yellow birch.

A forest scene with tall trees and a clear sky visible through the leaves, showcasing a natural, serene environment.
Eric Amador/All Trails

The full tour of the forest leads one to the summit of Great Hill, where a fire lookout tower has stood watch since 1934. It remains one of the state's active lookouts to this day.

A tall fire lookout tower surrounded by lush green trees and a clear sky, viewed from a forest path.
Julie Twomey/All Trails

Hikers can climb part of the way up the fire lookout to an observation platform. Here, there is an expansive view of the Sandwich Range to the north.

A scenic view of mountains under a partly cloudy sky, surrounded by trees and a vast landscape.
Zach Prescott/All Trails

In spring, also keep an eye on the ground while exploring here. Trillium, both red and painted, is a common wildflower in New Hampshire.

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A flowering plant with large green leaves and white petals featuring pink stripes, surrounded by forest floor debris.
kristina hale/All Trails

For more information on this interesting natural area in New Hampshire and to download a trail map, visit the Tamworth Conservation Commission. You can also learn more about the trees here by visiting the Old-Growth Forest Network. Now lace up those boots and get out there!

Explore more ancient trees by visiting the Sheldrick Nature Preserve in Wilton.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-hampshire/sheldrick-forest-nh/

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Nature|National & State Parks

The Most Remote State Park In New Hampshire Is The Perfect Place To Escape

Pisgah State Park in New Hampshire offers a remote and beautiful wilderness experience with diverse landscapes and historical sites.

Updated Apr 24, 2024

Written by 

Ken MacGray

This article is a bit timely, as I've been walking a lot of miles recently in Pisgah State Park as part of a book project. Some New Hampshire state parks are easily accessible from major highways, which makes them very popular. Pisgah is different in that it's far away from the allure of the White Mountains but is no less beautiful. You can really feel away from it all here and it is one of the most remote state parks in New Hampshire.

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Pisgah State Park, which spans over 13,000 acres within the towns of Winchester, Chesterfield, and Hinsdale, offers more of a wilderness feel than many other state parks.

A wooden bridge spans a lush, green forest with dense trees and ferns surrounding it.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

We think this makes it one of the best state parks in New Hampshire.

The main summit located within the park is the 1,329-foot Mt. Pisgah. There are wide views in several directions from its ledgy top.

A panoramic view of lush green forests and rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky.
Theresa Koski/All Trails

Part of the charm of Pisgah State Park for me is its variety of ponds, swamps, and wetlands.

A serene wetland scene with calm water, lush greenery, and a blue sky dotted with clouds.
Alex M/All Trails

Kilburn Pond is one of the larger ponds in the park. A loop hike of 6.3 miles can be made around its perimeter.

A serene lake surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky, viewed from a rocky shoreline.
Carolyn Drumsta/All Trails

Several of the main roads through the park are remnants of when this area was used for farming in the 19th century.

A dirt path winds through a forest with colorful autumn leaves and tall trees under a clear blue sky.
Steven Fuller/All Trails

Along these roads are signed historical sites that include old homesteads, mills, dams, and boarding houses.

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A snowy forest scene with a sign for William King Water Mill Site beside a partially frozen stream.
Lisa Belanger/All Trails

Latham-Beal Cemetery along Beal's Road dates back to 1790 and is one of the oldest burial sites in the town of Chesterfield.

A serene forest scene featuring a small, old graveyard with several gravestones surrounded by trees and a stone wall.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

If you are looking for one of the most remote state parks in New Hampshire, Pisgah State Park offers plenty of opportunities for exploration away from the crowds. To learn more and to download a trail map, visit the Pisgah State Park website.

New Hampshire's state parks system has a wide variety of outdoor spaces to explore, and here are nine under-appreciated parks to check out. Before hitting the trails, also check out our ultimate hiking packing list for everything you'll need for a safe trek.

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