NH Road Trip: Hiking The Franconia Ridge Loop

welcome sign Franconia Ridge, rocky trail between trees, trail along ridge of mountains

One of the best things to do in New Hampshire in the summer or fall is hiking the Franconia Ridge Loop. It’s a challenging trail, but also one of the most fun and unique hikes in New England. The 360-degree views you’ll get as you walk along the ridge of three mountains are spectacular!

But since this is a long hike, if you’re planning your trip around it or hoping to cross it off your New Hampshire bucket list, you might as well make a full weekend out of it.

So here’s a ready-made New Hampshire Road Trip Itinerary, featuring the incredible 8-mile hike that makes up The Franconia Ridge Loop!

black shepherd dog standing on rock with mountain ridge in background — Lincoln in front of ‘Mount Lincoln’ on the Franconia Ridge. You can see the trail along the ridge in the background.

While we were staying in Campton, New Hampshire (about 28 minutes from the parking lot for the Franconia Ridge Loop), we recommend staying in Lincoln, NH, which is only about 10 minutes from the trailhead.

Check into your rental once you arrive, then grab your itinerary below to spend an amazing weekend in New Hampshire, crossing the epic Franconia Ridge Loop off your bucket list.

Table of Contents Hide

Friday Afternoon/PM: Scenic Drive + Dinner at Cheese Louise

If you arrive before sunset, drive the Kancamagus Highway and grab dinner at Cheese Louise.

The Kancamagus Highway is a well-known 34-mile stretch of road between Conway, NH, and Lincoln, NH. It’s most well-known for its fall foliage, but the drive is beautiful year-round.

RTL Tip: There are many overlooks and trails varying in length along this scenic drive. If you have time, consider adding a trail along the Kancamagus Highway to your drive.

Looking for somewhere to sit down and enjoy a meal instead? Skip to Saturday PM for great restaurant options in both Lincoln and Campton, NH.

Saturday AM: The Franconia Ridge Loop

This is what you’re here for! You’ll spend the majority of the day hiking the Franconia Ridge Loop.

This is a full-day affair, and you’ll want to plan for your hike to take longer than you’re expecting. Our recommendation is to make this day all about the Franconia Ridge Loop, and then end the evening with dinner, dessert, and maybe a celebratory drink!

Where to Park to hike the Franconia Ridge Loop

If you’re driving from Lincoln, NH, you’ll drive North on 93 and follow the signs to park at the Old Bridle Path (on the East side of I93-N). This lot is across the highway from the Lafayette Place Parking lot if you’re looking for it on the map. You’ll have access to many hikes from this lot, including the Franconia Ridge Loop (which starts on the Old Bridle Path Trailhead).

You’ll find free parking at the Old Bridle lot (you may find it by plugging in ‘Old Bridle Path Trailhead, Franconia NH’), and depending on the time of your visit, you may also see a few rangers with information about conditions on the mountain once you arrive.

As seen in the image below, the Old Bridle Path Trailhead is the start of the Franconia Ridge Trail. Most people recommend walking up the Falling Waters Trail (taking a right at the fork).

When to Arrive

The best recommendation for parking and an enjoyable hike is to arrive early. Unless you feel comfortable completing the hike quickly (and opt for an afternoon arrival after some other hikers have already come and gone), we recommend arriving to the trailhead by 8am.

We arrived around 7:50am on a Sunday in September and the parking lot was about 30% full. (I was actually surprised by this as we had read others arrived at 8am on weekend days to a parking lot about 90% full.) Depending on the time of your visit, arrive early to be sure you get a spot and avoid having to take the shuttle or add additional mileage to your trek.

Arriving early also makes for a more enjoyable hike. The Franconia Ridge Loop Trail is a challenging hike, and you don’t want to feel rushed getting back down the mountain. (It’s steep and rocky the entire way.) Our recommendation is to give yourself more time than you think you’ll need.

Jon, Lincoln (our dog), and I are relatively quick hikers who expected to finish the hike in about 5 hours, but we didn’t actually make it off the mountain and back to our car until 2:10pm (6 hours and 20 minutes later). All Trails says this hike takes an average of 6.5 hours, a quick google search says 7, and the trailhead sign averages 8 hours for hikers.

Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need to safely descend the mountain before the sun sets, and arrive early!

welcome sign with trail conditions at Franconia Ridge

What to Bring

To hike the Franconia Ridge Loop, you’ll want to bring your usual hiking gear, including plenty of water, good shoes or hiking boots, and a backpack. You’ll also want to consider bringing additional layers (it can get windy along the ridge), lunch/snacks (this is a long hike, so pack a PB&J, trail mix, energy bars, etc.), and hiking poles if you have them (the descent is steep and rocky almost the entire way).

You also want to bring your phone, charger, and camera so you can take plenty of pictures! If it’s a clear day, your view from the ridge will be gorgeous.

trail along mountain ridge with mountain peaks in distance — View of the trail along Franconia Ridge

How to Hike The Franconia Ridge

You’ll have two options for hiking The Franconia Ridge: you can stay right on the Old Bridle Path to ascend via Falling Waters, or you can veer left to ascend past the Greenleaf Hut.

After arriving at the trailhead and speaking with a ranger, we were recommended to ascend via Falling Waters, which would take us up a waterfall and eventually summit to Little Haystack Mountain, then Mount Lincoln, then Mount Lafayette following the ridge. (Our research ahead of time also recommended this path, especially with a dog.) What’s great about this route is you’ll pass Greenleaf Hut on your descent, which is a good place to get water, rest, and use the restroom to break up your descent.

Your other option is to veer left on Old Bridle Path to ascend past Greenleaf Hut first. This will have you summit Mount Lafayette, then Mount Lincoln, then Mount Haystack. We did not take this option, but other hikers did, and some have mentioned enjoying the view of the ridge you get from this route (you can see the ridge you’ll soon be walking). Note: If you opt for this route, you’ll be descending Falling Waters, which may be slippery.

tree covered mountain ridge — The view of the ridge from the Old Bridle Path (before Greenleaf Hut if you’re ascending, after Greenleaf Hut if you’re descending)

What to Expect

The Franconia Ridge Loop is a challenging hike with amazing views and a big feeling of accomplishment. Jon, Lincoln, and I hike often and are comfortable with elevation gain, but we are not regularly hiking 8+ miles (we usually prefer 3-6 miles). This hike was more challenging than either of us expected.

In our opinion, this is a trail best for intermediate to advanced hikers, with the most challenging part of the trail being the descent.

As long as you’re comfortable with elevation gain, and give yourself plenty of time, you can ascend gradually at your own pace and use the excitement of what’s to come on the ridge to get you up the mountain. Once you’re at the ridge, you can enjoy the view from Little Haystack Mountain before walking the ridge (and continuing your ascent) to Mount Lincoln and Lafayette Mountain.

RTL Tip: If you ascend via Falling Waters Trail, your uphill climb will not end at Little Haystack Mountain. Mentally be prepared for additional (albeit shorter) climbs to Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette, but know there are plenty of views and great rest stops to get you through.

Once you start your descent, however, your legs (knees, hips, and ankles in particular) will probably feel fatigued. You’ll want flat ground to make your trip back but you won’t ever consistently get it. This was, in our opinion, the toughest portion of the hike because the uneven ground gets tougher and tougher to manage the more mileage you do (and the more tired you get).

That said, if you’re prepared for a challenge and generally feel comfortable hiking, this is a really fun hike with a big reward!

Saturday Afternoon/PM: Celebratory Dinner + Drinks at One Love Brewery

It’s time to celebrate your huge hiking accomplishment (and refuel) with dinner!! Cheers to you! 🍻

You’ll have plenty of options for food in Lincoln, New Hampshire but one of our favorites is One Love Brewery. Everyone we met working here was amazing (even opening the patio after-hours when we arrived late with Lincoln in tow).

Not interested in a brewery? Check out Covered Bridge Farm Table instead. We ate here multiple times during our month-long stay in New Hampshire and loved everything we tried. (Kelly highly recommends a burger and the buffalo tenders. Jon highly recommends the bolognese and mushroom caps. For dessert, try the Apple Cider Donut Ice Cream Sandwich!)

More of a cider fan? Check out Rhythm Cider next door to One Love Brewery. We heard great things about their ‘Honey Cider’, although unfortunately they were sold out during our visit. If you like sweet cider and give this one a try, please leave a comment below letting us know your thoughts!

Rhythm Cider and One Love Brewery are in the same shopping complex in Lincoln, while Covered Bridge Farm table is about 20 minutes from Lincoln, NH near Campton.

Sunday AM: Kayak Lake Winnipesaukee

Have time for one more activity during your road trip? Rent a canoe at Wild Meadow Paddlesports and take in the views of Lake Winnipesaukee. It’s incredible!

RTL Tip: Make reservations in advance if you can. Then once you check in day-of, ask if there have been any recent wildlife sightings.

During our paddle around Lake Winnipesaukee, we learned that earlier paddlers had sighted a bald eagle near One Mile Island. That told us to stop and look once we paddled there and led to an amazing morning + spontaneous photography session!

RTL Tip: You can grab breakfast on your way at Dunkin (which kind of feels like a local coffee shop in New England), or you could opt for something more traditionally local by fueling up at Mad River Coffee House on your way to Lake Winnipesaukee.

Sunday Afternoon: Ice Cream Flight at Ice House Creamery

On your way back to Lincoln from Wild Meadow Paddlesports, stop by the Ice House Creamery for a treat.

If you’re visiting during the summer, consider the ‘Frozen Flight’ summer special for 4 scoops of your choice!

Have time for more? Keep Planning Your Perfect Trip to New Hampshire

Here are 6 more hikes we love in New Hampshire.

Here are 3 of our favorite scenic road trips to take in New Hampshire.

And here’s our pick for the 6 BEST things to do in New Hampshire.

Making your way to Vermont next? Check out this foodie road trip itinerary with 8 fun things to do near Stowe, Vermont.

Your turn! Please leave us a comment below!

We’re always looking for inspiration, and would love to hear about your adventures too! Have you hiked the Franconia Ridge or is it on your hiking bucket list? Please share with us in the comments below!

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