The 9 Best Hikes in Franconia Notch
Franconia Notch is a beautiful part of the White Mountains, and one of the best things to do is to hike. The Franconia Notch hikes are beautiful and bring you past waterfalls, through gorges, and to summits.
This guide reviews everything you need to know to hike in Franconia Notch, including hiking tips, the best seasons to hike, what to pack, and the best Franconia Notch hikes to add to your bucket list!
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Tips for Hiking in Franconia Notch
Hiking in Franconia Notch is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the area. Here are some tips and things to consider when you hike in Franconia Notch:
The trails in Franconia Notch are rugged. The Franconia Notch trails have roots and rocks, so it is important to wear supportive shoes with traction. Even the easy hikes have obstacles. If you want more information on the trail and its current conditions, you should read recent trail reviews.
The weather in Franconia Notch can change quickly. The White Mountains weather can be unpredictable, and Franconia Notch is no different. It could be a sunny and warm day in the morning and change into a windy and rainy day within a few hours. It is essential to check the weather before starting the hike. I always recommend checking the Mount Washington Observatory weather.
Consider hiring a guide! If you want to hike in Franconia Notch, consider hiring a guide! They can provide amazing trail recommendations and help ensure you have a safe trip, and you will be supporting the local economy!
The parking lots in Franconia Notch can fill up quickly, especially in the summer and fall. Many of the parking lots in Franconia Notch are small and fill up quickly in the morning, especially on weekends. I recommend arriving at the most popular trails as early as you can to secure a parking spot. For example, the parking lot for Mount Lafayette and Mount Lincoln will fill up on weekends before 8:00 AM, so you should try arriving no later than 7:00 AM.
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
Best Seasons for Hiking in Franconia Notch
Summer
Summer is one of the best times to hike in Franconia Notch because the weather is beautiful, and the trails are free of snow. Because the summer has optimal hiking conditions, it is the most popular time to hike, and the trails will be busy.
Although the mountains tend to be cooler than other parts of the state, they can still be hot and humid. You should pack more water and food than you think you need so you can fuel your body on the hike! Mosquitoes are also an annoyance in the summer, so you should pack bug spray.
Fall
Fall is one of the most beautiful times to hike in Franconia Notch because the fall foliage is stunning! It also has beautiful and cool weather.
Early fall is the busiest time in the White Mountains, so there will be traffic and crowds. The earlier you start your hike, the better! Winter conditions can begin in late fall, so you should read recent trail reviews so you can pack the appropriate layers and gear.
Winter
Winter is a beautiful time to hike in Franconia Notch if you are okay with cold weather and snowy conditions. The trails are less crowded because the trail conditions require much more caution and preparation.
If you want to hike in the winter, you should make sure to pack the appropriate layers and gear. You should also read recent trail reviews and keep an eye on the weather. The weather in the White Mountains can change quickly in the winter, so you want to make sure you don’t get caught in a storm.
Spring
Spring is a great time to hike in the White Mountains as everything begins to bloom! However, winter conditions can last through spring, and as the snow melts, the trails become very muddy. If you want to hike in the spring, you should read recent trail reviews so you can pack the appropriate gear.
Mud season in the mountains makes the trails vulnerable, so please remember to stay on the trail. You want to make sure you don’t create more erosion, damage vegetation, or widen the path. Some trails close during mud season, so you should also check for trail closures.
What to Pack for Hiking in Franconia Notch
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
The Best Hikes in Franconia Notch
The Flume Gorge
Trail: The Flume Gorge Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Note: In the summer and fall, you need to make a reservation online in advance and pay a small fee to enter.
The Flume Gorge is one of the best hikes in Franconia Notch for all levels. The fun 2.2-mile loop brings you into a beautiful gorge that is over 70 feet tall! The Flume Gorge Trail allows you to take in the incredible Flume Gorge and its waterfalls.
One of the best things about the trail is it is open year-round! In the winter, it is free to enter, but the boardwalks in the gorge get removed. You cannot go as far into the gorge as you can in the summer.
The entire trail is open in the summer and fall, but you need to make a reservation online in advance and pay a small fee to enter. The Flume Gorge Trail can be very icy in the winter and wet in the summer and fall, so make sure to bring proper hiker gear.
The Flume Gorge Trail begins at the Visitor’s Center and leads you to the Flume Covered Bridge over the Pemigewasset River. After following along the trail for a few minutes, you will begin your journey through the incredible Flume Gorge on its boardwalks!
You can get an up-close and personal experience with Avalanche Falls, which is a beautiful 45-foot tall waterfall. The Flume Gorge Trail continues through the gorge and loops around, bringing you to Liberty Falls, Liberty Gorge, and Sentinel Pine Bridge and Pool. The Flume Gorge is one of the best hikes in Franconia Notch and should be on everyone’s bucket list!
Lonesome Lake
Trail: Lonesome Lake Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Lonesome Lake has incredible views overlooking Franconia Ridge, making it one of the best Franconia Notch hikes. This hike is a great hike year-round because, in the winter, you can walk on the lake once the water freezes.
If you are hiking to Lonesome Lake in the summer or fall, you can stay the night at the Lonesome Lake Hut! It has beds, washrooms, and delicious meals.
The Lonesome Lake Trail begins at Lafayette Campground and immediately begins ascending gradually for the next mile. The trail levels out, and it is an easy walk through the woods to Lonesome Lake. If you want to make the loop around the lake, you can continue right at the trail junction and end at the Lonesome Lake Hut.
If you would rather skip the loop and go straight to the hut, you can follow the trail to the left at the trail junction. Once you enjoy the views or take a dip in the lake, you will follow Lonesome Lake Trail back to Lafayette Campground. Lonesome Lake is one of the best Franconia Notch hikes!
The Basin
Trail: Basin Cascade Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.5 miles
Elevation Gain: minimal
Note: Swimming in the Basin is prohibited.
The Basin is a beautiful waterfall that cascades into a 20-foot granite pothole, making it one of the best hikes in Franconia Notch! The Basin Cascade Trail begins in the Basin parking lot and follows a paved path under the highway to a viewing platform overlooking the Basin. It is a beautiful sight and one of the best Franconia Notch hikes for the whole family!
Mount Lincoln & Mount Lafayette
Trail: Falling Waters Trail > Old Bridle Path
Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 8.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,000 feet
I’m sure you have heard of the infamous Mount Lafayette because it is one of the most popular hikes in the White Mountains! Mount Lafayette is commonly hiked with Mount Lincoln, making a loop trail that is one of the best hikes in Franconia Notch.
Although the hike to Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette is one of the most popular hikes, it is not easy. The 8.8-mile hike gains 4,000 feet of elevation, so it is steep. If you have proper hiking gear and the will to take on this strenuous hike, you will be rewarded with waterfalls and stunning views of the White Mountains!
The hike to Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette usually is hiked counterclockwise, starting on Falling Waters Trail. In the first 1.5 miles, you will pass multiple beautiful waterfalls! The constant elevation gain continues for another 1.5 miles to the summit of Little Haystack and the infamous Franconia Ridge!
The trail follows along Franconia Ridge to the summit of Mount Lincoln and then Mount Lafayette. Both mountains offer sweeping views of the White Mountains. The trail turns onto Greenleaf Trail, leading to the Greenleaf Hut, which you can stay at in the summer and fall.
The trail connects with Old Bridle Path and continues back to the parking lot, completing the loop. If you are looking for one of the best Franconia Notch hikes, make sure to add Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette to your bucket list!
Read the full trail review to Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette.
Mount Flume & Mount Liberty
Trail: Flume Slide Trail > Liberty Springs Trail
Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 9.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,600 feet
Another one of the best hikes in Franconia Notch that often gets overlooked is Mount Flume and Mount Liberty. These two mountains are on Franconia Ridge next to Mount Liberty and Mount Lafayette but aren't as well-known!
This hike is one of my favorites, and Mount Liberty has some of the favorite views in the White Mountains! If you are looking for a less crowded version of Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette, this is it!
The hike to Mount Flume and Mount Liberty can begin either in the parking lot past the Flume Gorge exit or in the Basin parking lot. The trail starts on Liberty Springs Trail and brings you to the junction of Flume Slide Trail. If you want to hike this as a loop, you should hike up Flume Slide Trail because it is a very steep trail with many rock slabs that are easier to ascend than descend.
If you want to avoid the Flume Slide Trail, you can ascend and descend the Liberty Springs Trail. If you decide to hike the loop, you will hike the Flume Slide Trail for 3 miles to Mount Flume, which offers stunning views of Franconia Notch.
The trail follows along Franconia Ridge for a mile until it reaches Mount Liberty, which has incredible views of the White Mountains. The trail continues on Liberty Springs Trail for 3.5 miles to the parking lot. If you are looking to spend a night along this hike, you can camp at the Liberty Springs Tentsite! The hike to Mount Flume and Mount Liberty is one of the best Franconia Notch hikes!
Read the full trail review to Mount Flume and Mount Liberty.
Cannon Mountain
Trail: Hi-Cannon Trail > Lonesome Lake Trail
Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 5.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet
Cannon Mountain is one of the best hikes in Franconia Notch for those who are looking for a short hike with a beautiful view that will kick your butt. There are many trails leading to Cannon Mountain that are around the same mileage and elevation gain.
One of the most popular loops is Hi-Cannon Trail and Lonesome Lake Trail. The hike brings you to the summit of Cannon Mountain and the shores of Lonesome Lake.
The Lonesome Lake Trail begins at Lafayette Campground and arrives at the Hi-Cannon Trail junction at 0.5 miles. You can do the loop either way, but I recommend hiking to Cannon Mountain first. The Hi-Cannon Trail is a relentless climb for 2 miles to the summit of Cannon Mountain. The trail is also prone to erosion, which can make hiking more difficult.
Cannon Mountain has a fire tower that provides incredible views of Franconia Ridge and Franconia Notch. The trail then follows Lonesome Lake Trail to the shores of Lonesome Lake. Lonesome Lake Trail then continues back down to Lafayette Campground. The Cannon Mountain and Lonesome Lake Loop is one of the best Franconia Notch hikes!
Read the full trail review to Cannon Mountain.
North Kinsman Mountain & South Kinsman Mountain
Trail: Lonesome Lake Trail > Fishin’ Jimmy Trail > Kinsman Ridge Trail
Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 9.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,300 feet
North Kinsman Mountain and South Kinsman Mountain are two summits that provide beautiful views overlooking the White Mountains, making the hike one of the best hikes in Franconia Notch! There are many trails to North Kinsman Mountain and South Kinsman Mountain, with the most popular starting in Franconia Notch.
The hike begins on Lonesome Lake Trail at Lafayette Campground and brings you around Lonesome Lake to the Lonesome Lake Hut. At the hut, the trail follows along Fishin Jimmy Trail to Kinsman Ridge Trail. The beginning of Fishin’ Jimmy Trail is easy but quickly turns into a steep climb towards Kinsman Pond.
If you are looking to stay the night, you can camp at the Kinsman Pond Tentsite. Once the trail turns onto Kinsman Ridge Trail, it is a short and steep climb to the summit of North Kinsman Mountain.
The trail then follows for another mile to the summit of South Kinsman Mountain. There is a false summit that many mistake as the real summit, but the actual summit is past it. You can either return to Lafayette Campground the way you came or make a loop by turning onto Kinsman Pond Trail instead of Fishin’ Jimmy Trail.
Although the hike to North Kinsman Mountain and South Kinsman Mountain is strenuous, the views are incredible and make it one of the best Franconia Notch hikes!
Artists Bluff & Bald Mountain
Trail: Bald Mountain-Artists Bluff Path
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Length: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
If you are looking for a short and sweet trail that offers incredible views, the hike to Artists Bluff and Bald Mountain will be one of the best hikes in Franconia Notch for you! This beautiful hike is one of the most popular since it offers stunning views and does not require a strenuous hike.
The Bald Mountain-Artists Bluff Path begins in the overflow parking lot across from Cannon Mountain. The loop can be hiked either way, depending on what viewpoint you want to get to last. Artists Bluff provides stunning views of Franconia Notch, and Bald Mountain has 360-degree views. The hike to Artists Bluff and Bald Mountain is one of the best Franconia Notch hikes!
Mount Pemigewasset
Trail: Mount Pemigewasset Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet
Mount Pemigewasset is one of the best hikes in Franconia Notch for those who want a shorter hike with stunning views. The Mount Pemigewasset Trail begins in the Flume Gorge Parking lot and gradually climbs to Mount Pemigewasset through the forest, up stone stairs, over bridges, and up switchbacks.
Although the trail is in the treeline, there is a lot to see! Before you know it, the trail ends on the summit, providing incredible views overlooking Franconia Notch! The hike follows along the Mount Pemigewasset Trail back to the parking lot. The hike to Mount Pemigewasset is one of the best Franconia Notch hikes!
The hikes in Franconia Notch are incredible and will leave you in awe of the beauty. This guide reviews everything you need to know to hike in Franconia Notch, including hiking tips, the best seasons to hike, what to pack, and the best Franconia Notch hikes!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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