Mt Willard Crawford Notch, NH
What a beautiful hike—fairly easy and absolutely stunning! We rolled in around 7:30 am, only to discover that the bathroom in the parking lot had decided to sleep in. But fear not! A quick stroll over to the AMC revealed a bathroom that was actually open, plus a store for any last-minute snack emergencies. Because, let’s face it, no one wants to hike on an empty stomach!
We hit the trail shortly after 7:30 am, and by 8:30 am, we were already basking in the glory at the peak of Mt. Willard. The climb is a steady incline, starting with a charming little stream to cross—no rock climbing or scrambles here, which I definitely appreciated. As you near the top, the views of Crawford Notch hit you like a beautiful postcard.
The elevation gain is about 895 feet, so you can impress your friends by saying you conquered a mountain while still getting your morning cardio.
Ratings:
Difficulty: 3/10
Views: 10/10 (bring your camera and your jaw for all the dropping!)
The After the Hike-
After our invigorating hike, we hopped in the car and zoomed over to Littleton, NH, for lunch and some retail therapy. First up: a much-needed coffee at Crumb Bum Bakery. We strolled around town, trying to kill time until Schilling Beer Co opened for lunch—because who doesn’t want to combine carbs and hops?
Littleton is home to a few delightful shops that we absolutely adore and can’t wait to raid again. We had fun picking out our own 4 pack at Little Town Brews local New England brews. It’s a fantastic little store that’s like a treasure chest for beer lovers—offering everything from local favorites to NA options for those who prefer their fun sans alcohol.
We also stumbled upon Shaun Terhune Fine Art Photography, which is basically an Instagrammer’s dream. His incredible photography and rustic pieces would make any mountain home feel like a cozy retreat—or at least help you pretend you’re in one while you binge-watch reality TV.
In short, I’d return to Littleton, NH, just to hit up these spots again. And maybe to revisit Crumb Bum for more treats & coffee. Who’s with me?
