This New Hampshire North Country destination is still a best-kept secret among outdoor adventurers.
By Dan Mathers
When you drive north in New Hampshire—WAY up north—past the White Mountains up toward the Canadian border, you leave behind more than just the region’s tallest peaks. You leave behind crowds and the familiar trappings of civilization—strip malls, chain restaurants—as you head toward a place where words like “wild,” “remote,” and “pristine” carry an authenticity they don’t have elsewhere.
The last stop in the Granite State before you cross into Quebec, the town of Pittsburg and the surrounding area offer visitors uncrowded mountains and forest trails. Home to the four beautiful Connecticut Lakes and the source of the mighty 400-mile long Connecticut River, the region has seemingly endless miles of wilderness, gorgeous ponds and streams, and several stunning waterfalls. Here, moose seem almost as plentiful as squirrels. It’s why New Hampshire’s North Country is a land of outdoor adventure that few other places in the Northeast can rival.
Despite its amazing hiking, quiet inlets and ponds for paddling, plenty of wildlife, mountain bike opportunities, snowshoeing, and more—not to mention world-class fly fishing, ATVing, snowmobiling, and hunting—Pittsburg is still kind of a best-kept secret.
Maybe it’s because of the drive time to get there from New England’s more populated cities. Maybe it’s because the White Mountains act as a filter, pulling in those most interested in peak bagging and maybe less interested in remote nature. Whatever the reason, Pittsburg offers a lot to love; outdoor experiences visitors can still enjoy without the crowds—for now.
If you’re looking to escape crowds or you seek that authentic wilderness experience you can’t find in other places, here’s what to know about planning your ultimate Pittsburg getaway.
Hiking In The North Country
For many hikers, a sense of solitude is just as important as scenery and climbing mountains. In the North Country around Pittsburg, miles of trails through remote wilderness and up scenic mountain peaks offer a rewarding hiking experience without the crowds of the White Mountains.
Dixville Notch is home to several fun hikes with beautiful scenery. They include Sanguinary Ridge and Table Rock, one of the most iconic and rewarding hikes in all of New Hampshire. The views from Table Rock—a narrow ledge rising several hundred feet over a cliff face—are purely breathtaking.
The region’s mountain peaks might not be quite as tall as some others in the state, but they offer challenges and views that are every bit as rewarding. Mountains such as Percy Peaks, Monadnock Mountain (not that famous Monadnock in southern New Hampshire), Brousseau, Sugarloaf, and Magalloway provide challenging climbs and sweeping summit views.
Mount Magalloway might be the best kept hiking secret in New Hampshire. Its remote, northern location keeps it from becoming overcrowded like many White Mountains peaks. If it was farther south, it would be packed, because the short climb makes the summit accessible to all hiking levels, and the views from the top are as breathtaking as any you’ll find in New England.
Standing 3,383 feet high, Mount Magalloway is located to the east of First Connecticut Lake. Atop its summit is a fire tower where hikers can enjoy expansive views over the pristine wilderness below and gaze into the distance at the White Mountains, Vermont, Maine and Quebec.
For hikers looking for a long-distance challenge, the North Country is home to the Cohos Trail, a roughly 160-mile trail connecting the northern and southern ends of Coos County. Those looking for a fun short hike will enjoy the hike to Fourth Connecticut Lake. The scenic trail is a little more than a half-mile long and runs along the Canadian border to the source of the Connecticut River.
Paddling Pittsburg
If you enjoy paddling, the North Country offers plenty of beautiful lakes, ponds, and rivers to canoe or kayak.
Scenic East Inlet is a jewel of the North Woods. It is one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the Northeast and it has one of the region’s last stands of virgin forests. It’s also a popular place to see wildlife such as moose and loons.
At 2,800 acres, First Connecticut Lake is one of the largest lakes in New Hampshire. It features an undeveloped shoreline and gorgeous mountain views.
Among paddlers, Second Connecticut Lake is one of the favorite big lakes in northern New England. It features 11 miles of diverse shoreline, and paddlers love exploring its islands and marshy inlets. It is also home to lots of wildlife, including bald eagles and loons.
The headwaters of the Connecticut River are often too shallow and rocky for paddling. But below nearby Stewartstown, the river has enough water year-round for canoeing and kayaking. Here the river alternates between fast and quiet stretches. This area of the river treats paddlers to stunning wilderness scenery, and it is a great place for bird watching.
Nearby, Lake Umbagog has miles of scenic shoreline, remote islands you can explore, and cabins and campsites to stay in.
For an exciting adrenaline rush, try whitewater rafting along the Androscoggin River.
Land of Waterfalls
Pittsburg and the surrounding area is home to some of New England’s most spectacular waterfalls. These falls are a sight to behold in the spring when they become super-charged by melting snow and spring rains. But even in the summer, these waterfalls make ideal spots to enjoy a picnic or even a swim. Several are in parks filled with fun, scenic hiking trails. All are inspiring and beautiful.
Beaver Brook Falls are towering falls on Route 145 in Colebrook that stand an impressive 80 feet high. A picnic area near the base of the falls makes a great place to enjoy lunch while appreciating Beaver Brook’s scenic beauty.
Garfield Falls might seem a little out of the way, but this spot’s stunning beauty makes it well worth the trip. From Route 3 in Pittsburg, you’ll travel more than 12 miles down Magalloway Road before coming to the trailhead. A short hike through scenic woods takes you to Garfield Falls, which stands nearly 40 feet high. Bring a swimsuit so you can enjoy the falls while swimming in the cool, clear water below.
The Falls in the River is an attractive, stepped waterfall located in Pittsburg along the upper Connecticut River between First and Second Connecticut Lake. It’s an enjoyable 1.5-mile hike to the falls from Second Connecticut Lake Dam. Keep an eye out for moose, as they’re especially common in this area.
Little Hellgate Falls are beautiful falls with a dark history. Located deep in the woods, these falls are exceptionally attractive. But they are named “Hellgate” because many loggers died there trying to break up log jams. T
Huntington Cascades are attractive falls in nearby Dixville Notch State Park made up of two distinct sections. The segmented lower falls stand 18 feet high and are surrounded by thick, green moss. The upper falls stand 50 feet high and drop steeply.
Snowshoe Trails in Pittsburg
With reliable, deep snow each winter, Pittsburg is truly a wonderland for those who love spending time outdoors when the mercury dips below freezing. The area’s vast network of hiking trails transform into some of the region’s best snowshoeing trails come winter.
Among the area’s best snowshoeing trails, the Falls in the River Trail begins at Second Connecticut Lake Dam and is an easy walk along the Connecticut River.
The Deer Mountain Firetower Trail to the summit of Deer Mountain features moderate climbs, stream crossings, a narrow waterfall, and beautiful views.
The short, scenic Fourth Connecticut Lake Trail at the headwaters of the Connecticut River features a circuit surrounded by boreal forest. The trail is steep in places and at times follows the international boundary.
The Johnson Memorial Forest located across from the Pittsburg Fire Station is a great place for an easy walk in the woods. And the Washburn Family Forest includes more than six miles of pristine shoreline along the Upper Connecticut River.
Moose and More
This part of New Hampshire has so many moose, visitors are nearly guaranteed to see one.
Known as “Moose Alley,” the area stretching along Route 3 between Pittsburg and the Canadian border is home to most of the Granite State’s roughly 4,000 moose, making it one of the best places in New Hampshire to spot one of these impressive, gigantic animals.
You don’t have to venture deep into the wilderness to find one. In fact, so many moose are seen along Route 3 that the roadway is dotted with bright yellow signs warning drivers “Brake for Moose. It Could Save Your Life. Hundreds of Collisions.” A leisurely drive up scenic Route 3, and you’re likely to see a moose crossing the road or getting a drink in a roadside pond.
When looking for moose, your best chance to spot them is around dawn or dusk, which is when they are most active. If you’re cruising the area’s roads searching for moose, look for roadside wallows where moose come to drink from ponds and puddles flavored with salt from runoff. They also enjoy dining on roadside vegetation.
For an adrenaline rush, rent an ATV and cruise the Ride the Wilds trail system, the largest ATV trail system in the Northeast.
With more than 1,000 miles of interconnected ATV trails, the Ride the Wilds trails offer something for every kind of rider, whether you’re a novice looking to enjoy a gentle ride or an experienced driver seeking the adrenaline rush of challenging trails and rugged climbs.
The trails are open each year from Memorial Day Weekend through the end of September.
With so many miles of trails in the Ride the Wilds system, riders can cruise for days on end without getting bored or having to ride the same trails over again. The trails weave through the vast wilderness of the North Country, providing ATV riders with breathtaking views of mountains, fields, forests and waterways. The riding continues in winter, when the North Country offers a massive network of groomed snowmobile trails.
Several businesses in the area offer ATV and snowmobile rentals. Among them are Bear Rock Adventures and Lopstick.
Food, Drink, and Lodging
Despite its remote location, New Hampshire’s North Country offers a surprisingly diverse and high-quality selection of dining options.
If it is fine dining you want, enjoy high-quality meals at the Rainbow Grill and Tavern, or head down to nearby Colebrook for The Porch on Main.
If you prefer pub food and a brew, check out a local tavern like the Buck Rub Pub or Black Bear Tavern. If you enjoy craft beer, make sure to visit the Coös Brewing Company.
Visitors who want to camp will find many public and private campgrounds in Pittsburg and the nearby area. Among them are Deer Mountain Campground, a scenic campground in Pittsburg just south of the Canadian border that has 25 primitive campsites. Also, Lake Francis State Park Campground in Pittsburg is located on beautiful Lake Francis and offers 45 sites.
For perhaps more comfortable accommodations, the area also features many lodges and cabins where visitors can stay. Among them are Bear Rock Adventures, Lopstick, and Tall Timber Lodge.
Want to learn more about visiting Pittsburg and the rest of New Hampshire’s North Country? Check out the film “Seeking the Source” from our New England Outdoors Media sister site, Explore New England.
