Are you ready to hike one of the best trails in New Hampshire? In this guide, we’ll show you how to hike the Franconia Ridge Loop in the White Mountains.
A few years ago, I discovered New Hampshire’s White Mountains and quickly added them to our hiking wish list. The rugged peaks i saw in the pictures were amazing and surprised us—New Hampshire didn’t look like what we expected! The mountains reminded me more of the hikes i’d done out west.
When I finally visited in fall 2022, the Franconia Ridge Loop was at the top of my list. Rated the #1 hike in New Hampshire on AllTrails, I had high hopes—and it didn’t disappoint!
With waterfalls, a stunning forest, and tons of mountain views, this hike definitely earns all the praise it gets. Plus, there are even spots to stop for snacks! I had an awesome morning and afternoon on this trail. Even though I’ve hiked amazing trails in places like Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming, this one easily became one of our favorites of 2022.
In this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about hiking the Franconia Ridge Loop, like where to start, where to park, what you’ll see along the way, and what to bring.
About the Franconia Ridge Loop
New Hampshire’s White Mountains cover about 25% of the state and have some of the toughest mountains in New England. They include most of the state’s 48 peaks called “4,000 footers.” These are mountains that are over 4,000 feet tall and have a prominence of at least 200 feet.
Climbing all the 4,000-footers is kind of like climbing Colorado’s 14ers (mountains over 14,000 feet). If you manage to hike all of the NH48, you’ll even earn a cool patch! Not sure where to start? The Franconia Ridge Loop is a great choice. It takes you to the top of two 4,000-footers: Mount Lafayette (5,260 ft) and Mount Lincoln (5,089 ft). You’ll also summit Little Haystack (4,725 ft), which isn’t officially a 4,000 footer since it doesn’t rise enough from the surrounding mountains.
Along the way, you’ll see amazing views from the summits and the ridgeline, plus plenty of waterfalls as you climb steeply through the forest. On the way down, you’ll pass the Greenleaf Hut, which is located near Eagle Lake and below Mount Lafayette.
The Appalachian Mountain Club runs the hut, and it’s open for full service from June to mid-October. They offer bunk rooms for overnight hikers and hot meals, but if you’re just hiking for the day, you can still buy some yummy snacks and drinks!
With its waterfalls, mountain views, and tasty treats, the Franconia Ridge Loop might just be the best hike ever!
Franconia Ridge Loop Stats
- Distance (round trip): 9.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 3,809 feet
- time: 7 hours, including stops
The Franconia Ridge Loop is made up of several trails: the Falling Waters Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail (which is part of the Appalachian Trail), Greenleaf Trail, and Old Bridle Path Trail.
You can hike this loop both ways clockwise or counterclockwise. We chose to go counterclockwise by starting with the Falling Waters Trail so we could save the tallest peak for last and stop by the Greenleaf Hut on the way down. We recommend this route if you want the full experience!
Even though this is a popular hike, it’s not an easy one, so it’s probably not the best choice for your very first hike. The trail climbs steeply, gaining 3,809 feet, with most of that elevation in the first 3.6 miles as you make your way up to Little Haystack (if you go counterclockwise). We were definitely out of breath, and our legs were burning by the end of this stretch!
Once you reach Little Haystack, though, the trail flattens out along the ridgeline, making it much easier as you hike to the next two summits. This section of the hike is the best part! You get amazing views in every direction, and unlike other hikes where you only see the view from the top, this ridgeline gives you 1.5 miles of stunning scenery.
Another thing we loved about this hike is that it’s a loop, so the way down is different from the way up. Be prepared though, because going down is also steep, especially if you go counterclockwise. You’ll be descending from the highest peak back to the trailhead.
Thankfully, the Greenleaf Hut is there to give you a break, and the Old Bridle Path trail also has a few extra views as you head down!
Way of the Franconia Ridge Loop
The Franconia Ridge Loop starts at the Old Bridle Path Trailhead, which is in the White Mountains of north-central New Hampshire. The location is south of Littleton and north of Lincoln. While it’s not near any big cities, there’s a lot to do in the area, and it’s also close to other cool spots in Vermont and Maine.
Flying to the White Mountains
The best airport to fly into if you’re visiting the White Mountains is Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). It’s a big airport with flights from all over the U.S. Once you land, it’s a 2 to 2.5-hour drive from Boston to the trailhead. So, rent a car and get ready for your adventure!
Driving to the White Mountains
If you’re driving to the White Mountains, here’s how long it takes to reach the trailhead from a few nearby cities:
- Stowe, VT: 1 hour, 45 minutes
- Portsmouth, NH: 2 hours
- Burlington, VT: 2 hours, 10 minutes
- Portland, ME: 2.5 hours
- Acadia National Park: 4 hours, 45 minutes
When to hike the Franconia Ridge Loop
The Franconia Ridge Loop can be hiked all year long, and each season gives you a unique experience. In this guide, we’ll focus on summer and fall since that’s when most people hike (and when we did too), you’ll get the full Greenleaf Hut experience during these seasons.
Winter
The White Mountains get a lot of snow—over 70 inches each year! Mount Washington, the highest point in the state, gets an incredible 23 feet of snow! If you love snowy adventures, you can hike the Franconia Ridge Loop in winter. Some people even hike all the 4,000-footers during this season, but you’ll need microspikes or snowshoes to do it safely.
Spring
Spring in New Hampshire is called “mud season” because the melting snow makes the trails wet and muddy. If you want to avoid crowds, late spring is a great time to hike and enjoy some peace and quiet before the summer rush. Just be sure to check trail reports ahead of time and bring microspikes, just in case!
Summer
Summer is a beautiful time to visit the Franconia Ridge Loop, but it’s also the busiest season, so expect to see more hikers. The trees will be lush and green, making the views even more stunning, and the weather is usually perfect with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s or 80s. However, it will feel colder at the top, so don’t forget to pack layers!
The Greenleaf Hut opens for full service in June, so if you want to experience this cool feature, summer is a great time to hike!
Fall
We hiked the Franconia Ridge Loop in early October, right around peak foliage, and it was amazing to see the fall colors from the top! Fall foliage changes every year, so we found a helpful website to check the current conditions.
During our fall visit, the weather was a bit unpredictable. It rained nonstop in the days leading up to our hike, so we waited for a clear day—and we’re so glad we did! We ended up hiking on a super clear, sunny day with temperatures over 70 degrees. It was perfect! We highly recommend waiting for a clear day to hike this trail so you don’t miss out on the beautiful views.
One more thing to remember if hiking in the fall: the Greenleaf Hut is open until mid-October. I suggest planning your hike before then so you can enjoy the Greenleaf Hut during your adventure.
Best days and time to hike
This hike can get really busy, especially in the summer, during fall foliage, and on weekends. To avoid the crowds, we suggest hiking on a weekday if you can and starting before sunrise. We hiked on a Friday in October, just before a holiday weekend, and started right before sunrise. While we did see some people, it wasn’t too crowded. Starting early really helps!
Things to know before visiting the Franconia Ridge Loop
Before you head out for your hike on the Franconia Ridge Loop, here are a few important things to know to be prepared and have a great time!
Parking
The trailhead has 133 parking spots, which may seem like a lot, but it fills up quickly! When we started our hike before sunrise, there were already about 40 cars parked, likely from overnight backpackers. By the time we finished, the lot was full. If the lot is full, you may have to park at Lafayette Place across US Highway 93 (there are only 22 spots) or use the overflow lot and take a shuttle (more on that below).
For parking fees, we saw conflicting information online. Some sources said it costs $4 per person, others said $3 per day. However, when we arrived, there was a sign saying payment wasn’t required. We recommend bringing some cash just in case, as fee requirements might change.
Trailhead Shuttle
If the trailhead parking lot is full, you can use the shuttle from the “Peabody Big Lot” at Cannon Mountain. This shuttle runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 AM to 8 PM. It costs $5 for a round trip, and you pay in cash to the driver, who will give you a ticket for your return trip.
The shuttle will drop you off at Lafayette Campground, and you can use a pedestrian pathway under the highway to safely get to the trailhead. Make sure to catch the last shuttle at 8 PM, or you might be stuck!
Dogs are allowed on the shuttle, so feel free to bring your well-behaved furry friend along.
Restrooms
There are restrooms at the trailhead, as well as several portapotties in the parking lot. Once you start the hike, the only restroom is at the Greenleaf Hut. If you need to go along the trail, make sure to do so at least 100 feet away from any water sources. Be responsible and pack out your toilet paper, or bring a towel or wag bag for waste.
Dog-Friendly
Dogs are welcome on the Franconia Ridge Loop, but please keep them on a leash, especially in the alpine zone where the terrain is fragile. While the trail is generally dog-friendly, it does have some steep sections and big rocks to climb. Our dog, Kona, loved every bit of this hike—we think she might be part mountain goat!
What to Bring to the Franconia Ridge Loop
Here are a few essentials you’ll want to pack for your hike on the Franconia Ridge Loop:
Cash
Bring some cash for parking fees and the shuttle, as well as for treats at the Greenleaf Hut. It’s always a good idea to have a little extra on hand, just in case!
Hiking Poles
The trail is steep in parts, and hiking poles can help take some pressure off your knees, especially on the downhill sections. They’re also useful for keeping your balance on rocky terrain.
Winter Gear
Even in the summer, the temperatures at the top can be chilly, so pack layers! If you’re hiking in the colder months, bring winter gear like microspikes or snowshoes to stay safe on the snowy or icy trail.
Enjoy your hike and keep these tips in mind to make the most of your experience!
