Beaver Brook Out and Back

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

This strenuous route is a New Hampshire classic. Though incredibly strenuous, especially at the start, this route exemplifies everything that a tough, New England hike should be.

The Beaver Brook Trail begins with a steep climb alongside the Beaver Brook Cascades. There are occasional stairs and hand rungs, but most of the first mile is unassisted 34% grade with no switchbacks and steep drop-offs. At the top of the cascades is a shelter put together by the Dartmouth Outing Club that offers fantastic views of the Franconia and Kinsman Ridges.

From that point, the trail softens to a much more manageable 13% grade through a stunning evergreen forest. The last quarter mile of the trail is above tree-line, and visitors will move almost imperceptibly onto the Benton Trail for the last push to the top. The summit has incredible 360 views of New Hampshire and Vermont.

The trail is mostly in evergreen forest, but it offers excellent views of the deciduous forests down below. The trailhead is by a pond in Kinsman Notch, and animals are often seen there.