This may be my new favorite mountain range to hike. It's only 1.5 hours from Portland, just outside of all of the shops/restaurants in North Conway, and it offers 360 degree views, waterfalls, swimming holes and three summits - South Moat, Middle Moat and North Moat. There are also a number of ways to do these hikes, with a range of distances.
Recently, I hiked the South Moat Mountain Trail with my friend Meg, then returned a week later to hike the Red Ridge Loop and North Moat Mountain Trail with my family. Both were spectacular, but the second was twice as long as the first. It also included swimming holes at Diana's Baths near the trailhead - well worth the extra mileage.
Wildflowers were exploding on the Red Ridge section, with open ledge and views for miles.
South Moat also has incredible views and some smaller waterfalls. Here are some pics from that hike:
Here are the different options, you get to decide what appeals to you:
SOUTH MOAT MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Distance: 5.8 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 2,132 ft
Difficulty: Challenging
Dogs: Allowed off-leash
Why we love it: Open ledge at summit with expansive views, waterfalls
Maps, directions, etc.: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/south-moat-mountain-trail
RED RIDGE AND MOAT MOUNTAIN TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 10.5 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 2,860 ft
Difficulty: Challenging
Dogs: Allowed on-leash
Why we love it: Expansive views, waterfalls, swimming holes, a loop trail is always good.
Maps, directions, etc.: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/red-ridge-and-moat-mountain-trail-loop
SOUTH, MIDDLE & NORTH MOAT MOUNTAINS
Distance: 10.9 miles out & back. You could also leave a car at Diana's Baths, then drive over to the start at the South Moat trailhead. Then hike the entire thing and keep on going, ending at the baths and only going one way.
Elevation Gain: 3,562 ft
Difficulty: Challenging
Dogs: Allowed on-leash
Why we love it: Summit three peaks with expansive views, waterfalls, swimming holes
Maps, directions, etc.: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/south-middle-and-north-moat-mountains
Reach out with questions and enjoy Moat Mountain!!