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:Â 387 feet (118 meters)
Height: 2,340 feet (713.2 meters)
Pets Allowed? Yes
Quick Navigation:
Trails | Trail Map | Hiking in Winter | Directions | Nearby Hikes
Trails
Artist’s Bluff – Out and Back Route (Quickest Route) – 1 Mile Round Trip
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.
Artist’s Bluff & Bald Mountain Loop – 1.5 miles round trip – 387 feet of elevation gain
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.
Artist’s Bluff & Bald Mountain Hiking Trail Map
Artists Bluff Trail Map
You can view and online map with a downloadable GPX file of Artist’s Bluff here.
Hiking Artist’s Bluff in Winter
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.
Artist’s Bluff in the Fall
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.
Directions
Artist’s Bluff is located in Franconia Notch. Directions to the trailhead are located below:
Bigger Hikes in Franconia Notch
Cannon Mountain
Mount Lafayette
Franconia Ridge
Mount Lincoln
Mount Flume
Mount Liberty
Weather Forecast
Bethlehem, NH
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 51. South wind 0 to 5 mph.
Wednesday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. South wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 8pm, then patchy fog between 3am and 5am, then a chance of rain showers and patchy fog. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday
Rain showers and patchy fog before 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 66. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Thursday Night
Showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Juneteenth
A slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Max DesMarais is the founder of myoutdoorbasecamp.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, completed multiple ultra marathons, including the 100 mile Run Rabbit Run, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about
