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Best Hikes with Dogs in New Hampshire & Vermont

May 9, 2012 by DailyPuppyCharm

 

vermont dog
 Hiking with Your Dog encourages both the dog and owner(s), perhaps even a friend or two to get out and take a hike! But before you run off to the nearest trail (where dogs are allowed) please follow these safety precautions because there is nothing better than a well-behaved dog and prepared owner on the trail.

1) Your dog should be trained to walk well and quietly on a leash.

2) You should be able to control your dog if any circumstances arise.

3) Pick-up after your dog’s poop and dispose of it properly.

4) Bring water for both you and your dog.

5) Plan ahead! Do your research or ask park officials if pets are allowed, if it’s an on-leash or off-leash trail and if trail conditions are suitable.

las vegas dog hikes

Lisa Densmore hiked more than 300 miles in New Hampshire and Vermont mostly with her faithful trail companion Bravo, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, but also with other dogs, while researching this book. Here she shares her favorite trails of easy day hikes to overnight backpacking trips, presented through canine-centric eyes. These hikes will delight both you and your pet with panoramic views, long ridge walks, lush forests, and pristine lakes. Advice is given on topics such as proper canine trail etiquette, wildlife encounters, and weather concerns. Additional features include what to pack for your pooch, including the Ten Canine Essentials, a doggy first aid kit, and a Trail Finder chart that lists hikes by length, terrain, difficulty for dogs, and more.

 

 

 Lincoln Gap - Appalachian Gap Trail (Warren, VT) This hike is a peak-bagger’s dream, crossing at least four summits - Mount Abraham (elevation 4006 feet), Lincoln Peak (elevation 3972 feet), Mount Ellen (elevation 4083 feet), and General Stark Mountain (elevation 3662 feet) - Depending on how you count them. Some maps also recognize Nancy Hanks Peak on the north side of Lincoln Peak and Cutts Peak on the south side of Mount Ellen, which would give you six summits in one trip. Others consider the entire ridge to be only two peaks - Lincoln and Stark - with prominent points like Mount Abraham to be part of the other two. Regardless of how you count them, this is one of the classic ridge-walks in Vermont, and a dog’s delight, except for the last section between the top of General Stark and Appalachian Gap. For this reason, ending your hike down a ski trail at Mad River Glen is recommended if you are hiking with a smaller or less agile dog.

Camels Hump Trail (Huntington Center, VT) Camels Hump is a Vermont landmark, a bald peak with a distinct shape. In the late 1700s the mountain was dubbed “Camels Rumpâ€Â by Ira Allen (Ethan Allen’s brother), which was later changed to the more socially acceptable “Camels Hump.â€Â The Hump is sizable in looks and in effort,, but well worth the challenge. It is a popular climb, so save this one for midweek, especially with a dog. The summit has a noisy reputation on weekends and holidays due to barking dogs and occasional dog fights, but midweek you may have the only pooch on the peak.
 
Burnt Rock Mountain Trail (North Fayston, VT) Burnt Rock Mountain is an impressive rocky dome, located along the Long Trail just north of Huntington Gap. Its summit was cleared of trees in a forest fire about a century ago. Today, a few scrub spruce and fir dot the multiple ledges and humps of rock, having little impact on the 360- degree view but creating a number of private perches on the rare day other hikers are on the summit with you. Burnt Rock Mountain is not at the top of many hikers’ lists outside the Mad River Valley. It should be, especially with a dog! When approached via the Hedgehog Brook Trail (blue blazes), it is a reasonable half-day outing and a shorter alternative to neighboring 4000-footers with equally spectacular views in all directions.

Bridal Veil Falls Trail (Franconia, NH) Bridal Veil Falls is a scenic cascade on the northwestern side of a ridge between Cannon Mountain and The Cannon Balls. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in New Hampshire. Coppermine Brook pours through a narrow spot in a high ledge, then widens as it plummets, resembling the shape and color of a bride’s long, lacy veil. The approach to the falls is a pretty hike. It follows Coppermine Brook most of the way, which has numerous pools that will delight your dog.

Mount Lafayette Trail (Franconia, NH) Named for the French soldier and Revolutionary War hero, the Marquis de Lafayette, Mount Lafayette is the crown jewel of Franconia Ridge and the highest peak outside the Presidential Range. It is the sixth highest mountain in the White Mountains, but perhaps the most magnificent for hiking. There are several approaches to Lafayette. The classic route crosses the dramatic ridgeline between Mounts Lincoln and Lafayette via the Falling Waters Trail and Old Bridle Path Trail. However, if Mount Lafayette is your goal and if you are willing to drop a car a mere five minutes from your starting point, the Greenleaf Trail (blue blazes) is an uncrowded, direct route to the summit, and the Skookumchuck Trail (blue blazes) is the most paw-friendly way down. The combination also offers the most varied combination of terrain and scenery, including cascading water and a long ridge-walk.
 
Mount Percival - Mount Morgan Loop Trail (Holderness, NH) Morgan and Percival are the mountain version of Siamese twins, connected at the shoulder. Both have open, rocky tops. Both can be hiked alone or together as a loop. If opting for the loop, the only argument for going up Percival and down Morgan is that the descent to your car is less steep, and shorter because the parking lot is at the base of Morgan.

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