Hiking To Champney Falls in Winter in New Hampshire

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Champney Falls is a popular hike in New Hampshire, but seeing it in winter is a completely different experience. Snow-covered trails, frozen sections of the falls, and quiet views make this hike feel calm and peaceful. I hiked to Champney Falls in winter to see what the trail is really like in colder conditions. Keep reading to hear all about my hike.

Hiking Champney Falls in Winter

The out-and-back trail is about 3.3 miles long with roughly 692 feet of elevation gain.

Making it a manageable hike for most people in good conditions. In winter, the trail feels very different.

The Champney Falls trailhead off the Kancamagus Highway, covered in snow at the start of our winter hike.

Snow and ice add an extra challenge, turning what is usually an easy hike into a more moderate one.

While the distance stays the same, winter footing and packed snow slow things down and require a bit more effort.

I also hiked the Albany Covered Bridge in New Hampshire before this hike!

My Winter Hike to Champney Falls

Parking and Hitting the Trail

We parked in the small lot near the trailhead, which had packed-down snow when we arrived.

Before starting the hike, we put on microspikes and headed onto the trail.

The quiet, snow-packed forest trail made for a peaceful winter hike in the White Mountains.

The first part of the hike led us through a quiet, snow-covered forest.

It felt calm and peaceful, with fresh snow on the trees and very few people around.

Crossing the Brook

Not far into the hike, we reached a brook that needed to be crossed by walking over rocks.

Crossing the frozen brook along the Champney Falls Trail during a winter hike in New Hampshire

This is one spot where good winter boots really matter.

The rocks were icy and slick in places, so having solid traction and waterproof boots made a big difference.

The Uphill Section

After crossing the brook, the trail started to climb. This section includes most of the elevation gain on the hike.

We also came across a few small streams that required stepping through shallow water, which made waterproof boots a must.

Frozen waterfall during our winter hike along the Kancamagus Highway

The uphill was steady but manageable, especially with microspikes on packed snow.

Read my entire guide on Driving the Kancamagus Highway in Winter: Everywhere I Stopped.

Reaching the Frozen Waterfalls

As we continued, we spotted a sign for Champney Falls and kept left to reach the viewpoint.

About ten minutes later, we arrived at the frozen waterfalls.

A close-up look at Champney Falls, completely frozen over during a winter hike in New Hampshire.

The falls were completely iced over and absolutely stunning.

We even saw a group ice climbing the falls, which was incredible to watch.

Watching ice climbers take on the frozen waterfalls near Champney Falls was an unexpected highlight.

If you didn’t see them, you wouldn’t have known anyone else was out there.

I also recommend booking the Conway Scenic Railroad Snow Train in New Hampshire.

Hiking Back to the Car

We took our time on the way back, stopping to watch the ice climbers and enjoy the winter scenery.

The quiet, snow-covered forest along the Champney Falls Trail made the winter hike feel calm and peaceful.

The return hike was mostly downhill and took about half the time.

Looking up at the winter trees on the hike back, one of those moments that makes a cold day on the trail great.

Overall, the hike took us around two hours, including time spent at the falls and watching the climbers.

After our hike, we made our way over to the New Hampshire Ice Castles!

Winter Hiking Tips

Wear microspikes or traction. Packed snow and icy sections make them necessary, especially on the uphill.
Waterproof boots are a must. You’ll cross a brook and walk through small streams along the trail.
Dress in layers. The uphill warms you up quickly, but it gets cold when you stop near the falls.
Take your time on rock crossings. Snow and ice can make them slippery.
Expect the hike to take longer in winter than in warmer months.
Download the offline map ahead of time, since cell service can be spotty.
Bring warm gloves and a hat, especially if you plan to stop and watch ice climbers.
Start earlier in the day to allow plenty of daylight for the hike back.

For another awesome winter hike in New Hampshire, HikeThe Flume Gorge Trail In Winter!