Hiking in WOW Trail: trails, map and practical info

Description

The WOW Trail is one of the Lakes Region's most welcoming outdoor destinations — a multi-use recreational path that takes its name from the three lakes it connects: Winnipesaukee, Opechee, and Winnisquam. At 1.6 km with only 61 meters of elevation gain, it's genuinely easy and approachable, making it a go-to option for families, casual walkers, and anyone who wants to get outside without committing to a full-day adventure.

Don't let the short distance fool you into thinking there's nothing to see. The WOW Trail moves through a surprisingly varied landscape for such a compact route, shifting between lakeside stretches with open water views and quieter forested sections where the trail feels more tucked away from the world. That contrast — open and breezy one moment, shaded and woodsy the next — is a big part of what makes it worth doing.

Trail Experience and Terrain

The trail surface is well-maintained throughout, with packed gravel in some sections and natural dirt track in others. Neither is technical or demanding — standard walking shoes or light trail runners are perfectly adequate in dry conditions, though waterproof footwear is a smart call after rain or during spring when some sections can get muddy. The 61-meter elevation change is spread out gently enough that you'll barely notice it underfoot.

What you will notice is how the scenery shifts as you move along the path. Near the lake edges, the canopy opens up and you get those classic Lakes Region views — calm water, distant treelines, the kind of scene that makes you stop and take a photo even if you weren't planning to. Further into the wooded sections, the trail narrows slightly and the forest closes in, creating a more immersive feel. Open clearings along the way offer natural rest spots and broader views of the surrounding landscape.

The multi-use designation means you'll share the trail with joggers and cyclists alongside fellow walkers. The atmosphere tends to be friendly and community-oriented rather than remote wilderness — which is exactly the point. This is a trail that's woven into the fabric of the local area, and that accessibility is one of its genuine strengths.

Wildlife and Natural Interest

The mix of habitats along the WOW Trail — wetland edges near the lakes, mature forest, and open meadow sections — supports a solid variety of local wildlife. Early morning walkers have a reasonable chance of spotting deer, and the proximity to water makes it a reliable spot for waterfowl sightings, particularly during migration. Birders will find the trail worth a slow walk, with songbirds active throughout the warmer months and raptors occasionally visible over the open sections.

Seasonal Highlights

Spring brings emerging wildflowers and clearer lake views through the still-bare branches, along with the sounds of snowmelt moving through the landscape. Summer fills in the canopy and turns the forested sections into shaded green tunnels — welcome on hot days, and the lakes are at their liveliest with seasonal activity nearby. Fall is when the WOW Trail really turns heads: the mixed hardwood forest delivers a strong foliage display, and the colors reflecting off the lake surfaces make for some of the best scenery of the year. In winter, the trail transitions to a snowshoeing and cross-country skiing route, offering a completely different but equally worthwhile experience along the same path.

Access and Connections

One of the WOW Trail's practical advantages is its connection to downtown Laconia, which means you can easily pair your outing with a coffee stop beforehand or a meal at a local restaurant afterward. Multiple access points along the route let you tailor the experience to your available time — start from wherever is most convenient and go as far as you like.

The trail also links into the broader regional trail network, giving more ambitious hikers the option to extend their day or use the WOW Trail as a gentle warm-up before heading somewhere more demanding. For visitors to the Lakes Region who want to sample the area's outdoor character without a major time commitment, it's a natural first stop.

Who It's Best For

With an estimated 30-minute completion time and easy difficulty rating, the WOW Trail is genuinely suitable for a wide range of visitors. Families with young children will find the terrain manageable and the scenery engaging enough to hold kids' attention. Older adults looking for low-impact outdoor exercise will appreciate the well-maintained surface and lack of technical challenges. And for experienced hikers, it makes an ideal recovery-day route or a relaxed evening walk after a bigger day on the region's more demanding trails.

The WOW Trail won't push your limits, but it will give you a genuine taste of what makes the Lakes Region worth visiting — water, forest, and a path that feels like it belongs exactly where it is.