The Franconia Ridge loop hike is located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. There are a variety of ways that you can complete the loop. Depending on how you complete the loop it can range between 8.9 and 15.9 miles. The Franconia Ridge Trail offers some of the best views in the White Mountains with views of Cannon Mountain, the Franconia Notch State Park, and the Kinsman range in to the West and views to the Pemigewasset Wilderness to the west. The following are three variations of how you can complete the Franconia Ridge Loop.
Option #1 – Mt Lafayette-Mt Lincoln-Mt Little Haystack Loop from Layfayette Place Parking Lot
This route includes the summit of Lafayette, Lincoln, and Little Haystakc. To start this route park at the Layfayette Place Parking lot and then follow the route below:
| Option #1 – Mt Lafayette-Mt Lincoln-Mt Little Haystack Loop from Layfayette Place Parking Lot | ||||
| Distance (miles) | Cumulative Distance (Miles) | |||
| Falling Waters Trail to Old Briddle Path Trail | 0.2 | 0.2 | ||
| Old Briddle Path to Greenleef Hut | 2.7 | 2.9 | ||
| Greenleaf Hut to Mt Lafayette | 1.1 | 4 | ||
| Mt Layfayette to Mt Lincoln via Franconia Ridge Trail | 0.9 | 4.9 | ||
| Mt Lincoln to Little Haystack via Franconia Ridge Trail | 0.7 | 5.6 | ||
| Falling Waters Trail to Layfayette Place Parking Lot | 3.2 | 8.8 | ||
Option #2 – Mt Lafayette-Mt Lincoln- Little Haystack- Mt Liberty Loop from Layfayette Place Parking Lot
| Option #2 – Mt Lafayette-Mt Lincoln- Little Haystack- Mt Liberty Loop from Layfayette Place Parking Lot | ||||
| Distance (miles) | Cumulative Distance (Miles) | Summit Elevation (ft) | ||
| Falling Waters Trail to Old Briddle Path Trail | 0.2 | 0.2 | ||
| Old Briddle Path to Greenleef Hut | 2.7 | 2.9 | ||
| Greenleaf Hut to Mt Lafayette | 1.1 | 4 | 5260 | |
| Mt Layfayette to Mt Lincoln via Franconia Ridge Trail | 0.9 | 4.9 | 5089 | |
| Mt Lincoln to Little Haystack via Franconia Ridge Trail | 0.7 | 5.6 | 4780 | |
| Little Haystack to the intersection with Liberty Spring Trail via Franconia Ridge Trail (You have the option of descending the Liberty Spring Trail to the road at this point if you need to cut the hike down due to weather, being tired, etc. This will cut off 0.6 miles from this route and eliminate the ascent and descent of Mt Liberty) | 1.9 | 7.5 | ||
| Continue on Franconia Ridge Trail to Mt Liberty summit | 0.3 | 7.8 | 4459 | |
| Descend back down the Franconia Ridge Trail to the intersection with Liberty Spring Trail | 0.3 | 8.1 | ||
| Descend the Liberty Spring Trail 2.9 miles to the road/bike path. | 2.9 | 11 | ||
| Take a Right on the Bike Path and follow it approximately 2.9 miles to the Lafayette campground. Cross under the highway (93) via the pedestrain tunnel back to the Layfayette Place Parking Lot. | 2.9 | 13.9 | ||
Option #3 – Mt Lafayette-Lincoln-Little Haystack-Liberty-Flume Loop from Layfayette Place Parking Lot WARNING – This is the longest and most strenuous version of the loop. I have listed it in the order that I personally completed it, however I strongly recommend that you reverse the direction and waypoints since the way listed below has you decending the Flume Slide Trail which is not recommended. The Flume side trial includes some slab rock and steep pitches that when wet can be dangerous to decend. If you reverse the route below and begin the loop by ascending the Flume Slide Trail it will be far safer to ascend than descend.
| Option #3 – Mt Lafayette-Lincoln-Little Haystack-Liberty-Flume Loop from Layfayette Place Parking Lot | ||||
| Distance (miles) | Cumulative Distance (Miles) | Summit Elevation (ft) | ||
| Falling Waters Trail to Old Briddle Path Trail | 0.2 | 0.2 | ||
| Old Briddle Path to Greenleef Hut | 2.7 | 2.9 | ||
| Greenleaf Hut to Mt Lafayette | 1.1 | 4 | 5260 | |
| Mt Layfayette to Mt Lincoln via Franconia Ridge Trail | 0.9 | 4.9 | 5089 | |
| Mt Lincoln to Little Haystack via Franconia Ridge Trail | 0.7 | 5.6 | 4780 | |
| Little Haystack to the intersection with Liberty Spring Trail via Franconia Ridge Trail (You have the option of descending the Liberty Spring Trail to the road at this point if you need to cut the hike down due to weather, being tired, etc. This will cut off 0.6 miles from this route and eliminate the ascent and descent of Mt Liberty) | 1.9 | 7.5 | ||
| Continue on Franconia Ridge Trail to Mt Liberty summit | 0.3 | 7.8 | 4459 | |
| Continue on the Franconia Ridge Trail towards Mt Flume Summit. | 1.2 | 9 | 4328 | |
| Continue along the Franconia Ridge Trail and descend a few hundred yards from Mt Flume where you will see the Flume Slide Trail on your right hand side. | 0.1 | 9.1 | ||
| Descend the Flume Slide Trail 3.3 miles to the intersection with the Liberty Spring Trail *** (See Note above – descending the Flume Slide trail should be avoided – it is advised that you reverse this loop and ascend the Flume Slide Trail instead of desending) | 3.3 | 12.4 | ||
| Descend the Liberty Spring Trail 0.6 miles to the intersection with the Bike Path | 0.6 | 13 | ||
| Take a Right on the Bike Path and follow it approximately 2.9 miles to the Lafayette campground. Cross under the highway (93) via the pedestrain tunnel back to the Layfayette Place Parking Lot. | 2.9 | 15.9 | ||