Fall Photo Bucketlist
Fall is the season of coziness. There's something about vibrant colors, warm sunshine, and cool, crisp evenings that puts you at ease. Fall in Waterville Valley takes that coziness to the next level. Upon arriving at this quintessential New England ski town, you'll be surrounded by breathtaking 4,000-foot mountain peaks and a kaleidoscope of color. There are scenic foliage locales almost everywhere in the Valley, which leaves the best, most awe-inspiring autumnal views mostly secret. Until today! A group of Valley insiders curated a list of the best, most Instagram-worthy spots in Waterville Valley! Check it out below!
Pond Loop
There's no better place to capture the color, coolness, and crispiness of fall than along the Pond Loop. This short 1-mile loop presents a beautiful variety of natural features, from a large meadow to dense forests; from Corcoran's Pond to Snow's Brook. While there is a plethora of incredible leaf-peeping locales along this short jaunt, our favorite is Snow's Brook Bridge. During the fall, this bridge radiates small-town fall coziness, with its rustic wooden guardrails and leaf-covered pathway.
The Scaur
Marvel in the beauty of the vibrant valley by hiking The Scaur. This moderate 4-mile hike traverses up a rocky foothill of Flume Peak, terminating at a vast clearing. From this clearing, you can take in views of the ski trails, admire the immense valley, and appreciate the technicolor foliage blanketing the surrounding mountains.
Welch & Dickey Loop
Welch & Dickey Loop is known among locals as Waterville Valley's hidden treasures - this moderate, 4-mile hike climbs to the rocky summits of Welch and Dickey mountains, offering panoramic views of the surrounding White Mountains. Once you've made it to "Welch Ledge" - the first set of granite ledges - you'll discover a kaleidoscope of vibrant color nestled among the mountains. As you hike from ledge to ledge, you'll be treated with different perspectives of the vast valley, surrounding mountains, and the colorful mosaic of leaves.
Mad River Path
For those of you looking for a variety of natural features, the steppingstones along the Mad River Path offer a fun, interactive photoshoot opportunity. Start from the north end of the trail at the entrance of the trail (along West Branch Road - see map). After a short 5–10-minute walk, you'll arrive at several large steppingstones, spanning across the river. These stones connect the east and west branches of the Mad River Path, offering foliage locales on both sides of the riverbank. These stepping stones also provide the perfect background for a fall-themed reel! Strut your stuff across the river’s steppingstones! The combination of the crystal-clear Mad River, vibrant forest foliage, and interactive steppingstones are sure to be a hit!
Waterville Valley Cemetery
A cemetery may not immediately seem like the ideal place for capturing cozy fall photos. But the Waterville Valley cemetery offers one of the best leaf-peeping locales in Waterville Valley. Once you arrive at the cemetery, walk past the tombstones towards a wooded area on the far side of the cemetery. After following a short trail for about 1 minute, you'll discover The Lookout - a special, quiet viewpoint overlooking Mount Osceola. However, the optimal photoshoot location is the platform leading up to the lookout. Lined with birch trees, this elevated platform offers a magnificently whimsical background for your next fall-themed photo.
CORCORAN’S POND
Hop on a boat from Town Square and experience fall foliage like never before! From the center of Corcoran Pond, you can truly appreciate Town Square in its full autumnal glory. Admire Town Square with the backdrop of gorgeous shades of red, yellow, and orange painted across Mount Tecumseh. From here, the old-school New England charm is palpable. Rent a pedal boat, kayak, or canoe to get the best, most unique shots of Town Square! Boat rentals are open on weekends only and are provided by the Waterville Valley Recreation Department.
SNOW’S MOUNTAIN CHAIRLIFT
Admire the ski trails as they sport their autumnal colors! The top of Snow's Mountain is readily accessible and offers stellar views of Mount Tecumseh and Green Peak. Snow's Mountain Chairlift runs every weekend. You simply have to hop on the chair and within minutes you'll be met with awe-inspiring mountain views. Plus, the chairlift allows you to gain a unique perspective as you float through the canopies of vibrant foliage.
P.S. Think Snow!