I was reading National Geographic’s article about “10 hiking trails that will blow your mind” when I discovered that Franconia Ridge Loop Trail made the list! For those of us living in Eastern North America, this is amazing news – we’ve got one of the world’s best day hikes right in our backyard.
Franconia Ridge Loop Trail sits in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and ranks #1 on AllTrails for the region. Let me share our experience and everything you need to know to plan your hike.
Trail Overview and Getting There
The loop is about 9 miles (14.5 km) total and doable in a day. From Toronto, it’s an 8-hour drive, making it perfect for a weekend trip. You can drive up Friday night, hike Saturday, and head back Sunday. Or take Friday off for a more relaxed pace.
The trailhead of Franconia Ridge Loop Trail is in Franconia Notch State Park, with parking lots on both sides of I-93. Parking is free, but they welcome donations. Fair warning – during peak season and weekends, the lots fill up early. Some hikers end up parking a mile away along I-93. I wouldn’t be surprised if they start requiring permits soon – they get about 700 hikers registering daily during busy times!
Where to Stay for Hiking Franconia Ridge Loop Trail
You’ve got plenty of options here. The whole Franconia area caters to tourists year-round (skiing in winter, hiking in summer and fall colors in autumn). You can:
- Camp at the state park (no dogs allowed)
- Stay at RV sites near Cannon Mountain
- Book accommodation in nearby tourist towns
Our Trail Experience
We started clockwise at 6 AM and finished in about 7 hours, including photo stops and a 15-minute break at Greenleaf Hut. Our actual moving time was 5.5 hours.
The trail is well-marked:
- Old Bridle Path: Yellow blazes
- Appalachian Trail section on the ridge: White blazes
- Falling Waters Trail: Blue blazes
- Above treeline: cairns mark the way.
Pro Tip: Go Counter-Clockwise
Most hikers recommend hiking counter-clockwise on Franconia Ridge Loop Trail. Only two experienced hikers on Alltrails reviews mentioned going clockwise. Here’s why we chose clockwise at the junction:
- We wanted to climb straight to Mount Lafayette, the highest point on Franconia Ridge Loop Trail. From there, it’s mostly downhill (in elevation). We preferred tackling the steepest section going up rather than going down on tired legs.
- The Falling Waters Trail would be cooler in the afternoon heat, with waterfalls keeping temperatures down. Plus, our dog would have constant access to water. Even with no recent rain, the rocks were still wet and slippery – I almost fell during descent.
The early start meant peaceful trails. We didn’t see anyone until Greenleaf Hut, except one middle-aged hiker. He gave our dog a cookie at the parking lot. On the ridge, we only passed 6-7 small groups (1-2 people each). Falling Waters Trail got busier.
Looking back, hiking counter-clockwise on Franconia Ridge Loop Trail would have been easier.
Our Day on Franconia Ridge Loop Trail
Starting early paid off – we had the trail to ourselves until reaching Greenleaf Hut. The ridge walk is incredible, crossing three peaks including Mount Lafayette (White Mountains’ second-highest peak after Mount Washington). Above treeline, you get 360-degree views of endless mountains – quite different from our usual forest hikes like Bruce Trail.
For Mount Washington and Presidential Traverse please check my blog here
At Greenleaf Hut, you can:
- Refill water (free)
- Buy cold drinks and snacks
- Use restrooms
- Stay overnight (book in advance) Note: Dogs aren’t allowed inside
The three-mile ridge walk on Franconia Ridge Loop Trail was the highlight. We only passed 6-7 small groups going the opposite direction. Things got busier on Falling Waters Trail, where we had to frequently step aside for uphill hikers (trail etiquette: downhill yields to uphill).
Other Attractions Close to Franconia Ridge Loop Trail
If you’re bringing family or want easier activities, Franconia Notch State Park has plenty to offer:
- The Basin (easy paved trails)
- Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway for views
- Flume Gorge (no dogs allowed)
- Crawford Notch to the east is the wonderland for outdoor lovers!
