Lincoln, New Hampshire
Franconia Ridge Loop
A 1.7-mile alpine ridge linking three of New England's 4,000-footers.
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Length
- 8.9 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 3,900 ft
- Duration
- 6–8
- Best Season
- Jun–Sep
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
- Features
- Above treeline ridge, 4000-footers
About the trail
Franconia Ridge is widely considered the finest ridge walk in the eastern United States. The loop climbs Falling Waters Trail past three waterfalls to Little Haystack Mountain, then traverses the exposed ridge over Mount Lincoln (5,089 ft) and Mount Lafayette (5,260 ft). Descend the Greenleaf Trail past the AMC Greenleaf Hut and the Old Bridle Path.
Trailhead map & directions
Trailhead: 44.1605, -71.6450Get directions →
Turn-by-turn route
- Park at the Lafayette Place trailhead on I-93 (exit between exits 34A and 34B).
- Take Falling Waters Trail (south side) to Little Haystack.
- Traverse the ridge north over Mount Lincoln to Mount Lafayette.
- Descend Greenleaf Trail to Greenleaf Hut.
- Continue down Old Bridle Path to the parking lot.
Parking
Lafayette Place lot — both sides of I-93. Fills by 8 AM on summer weekends.
Tips from the trail
- Check the Mount Washington higher summits forecast — weather hits Franconia first.
- No bailout once on the ridge. Turn back at Little Haystack if storms threaten.
- Counterclockwise (Falling Waters up) gets the steep climb done first.