Artist’s Bluff is one of the most popular short and easy hikes in NH. Located in Franconia Notch, this out and back or loop hike features stunning views of the notch, Echo Lake, Cannon Mountain, and the surrounding peaks. This trail is a perfect quick family trek.
Distance: 1.5 miles (2.41 km)
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 1-2 hours
Elevation Gain: 387 feet (118 meters)
Height: 2,340 feet (713.2 meters)
Pets Allowed? Yes
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Trails | Trail Map | Hiking in Winter | Directions | Nearby Hikes
Many hikers will just want to quickly do an out and back hike to Artist’s Bluff. This short trip has a few steep sections, but is still a great family friendly spot. There are some steep sections that parents may need to help smaller children navigate. If you have a little extra time, we recommend doing the full loop and summiting Bald Mountain as well.
This route, hikers will park at the parking area across Route 18 from the Peabody Base Area (directions below). They will hike shortly to a junction, left towards bald mountain, and to the right, directly to Artist’s Bluff.
Most hikers will do the entire loop hike to vary the terrain and also summit the appropriately named Bald Mountain. This is considered an easy hike, but there are some steep sections.
Hikers can head to Artist’s Bluff first, or to Bald Mountain. The recommended path is to head counter clockwise, especially in winter to avoid the steepest icy sections on the way down.
Artists Bluff Trail Map
You can view and online map with a downloadable GPX file of Artist’s Bluff here.
This is a very frequented winter hike due to ease of access and trail difficulty. In winter months, the steep sections can get icy, so we highly recommend utilizing microspikes for traction. Hikers often say counterclockwise is the better direction in winter.
This is one of the best and most packed fall foliage spots. The trees in Franconia Notch get incredible colors, and reflections off of Echo lake can be stunning. The surrounding peaks tower over hikers on either side of the notch.
Artist’s Bluff is located in Franconia Notch. Directions to the trailhead are located below:
Cannon Mountain
Mount Lafayette
Franconia Ridge
Mount Lincoln
Mount Flume
Mount Liberty
Overnight
Isolated rain showers before 2am, then patchy fog. Cloudy, with a low around 54. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday
Patchy fog before 9am, then scattered rain showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 64, with temperatures falling to around 56 in the afternoon. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday Night
Isolated rain showers before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday
A chance of snow between 8am and 3pm, then a chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Sunday Night
A chance of rain and snow before 8pm, then rain and snow. Cloudy, with a low around 36. Northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Monday
Rain and snow before 5pm, then rain and snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Monday Night
Rain and snow likely before 8pm, then a chance of snow showers between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
