Franconia Loop Trail

I’m currently on the high pointers club which means I’m trying to reach every high point in every single state in the United States. I have all the means of accomplishing this big goal minus Alaska (so 49 of the 50 BRING IT ON). I have absolutely no desire to conquer a a mountain so unpredictable that you have no idea if you’ll be leaving that mountain.

So I had every intention of doing the High Point of New Hampshire. That was the reason of me adventuring there. Mount Washington, 6,288 feet high, here I come. While I was doing research, I saw the magnificence and beauty of Mount Washington. I am not downgrading that beautiful mountain at all.

I did though see a trolly (you can actually ride up to the top of the mountain by train which is pretty cool and get there by road.) Both options cost money. You do have the option though to hike up Mount Washington from the bottom with no cost. And that’s really the point of high pointing. It’s not recommended to cheat. To do it truly, you have to walk up the mountain and start from the trail head even when given the option of driving up to the high point.

But anyway (sorry this isn’t about Mt. Washington), I saw a hike nearby that really Sparked my interest. The Franconia Loop Trail. With the research I read, people said it was the “Best Hike in All of New England” yet alone New Hampshire. So I had to try it!

I can always go back to New Hampshire and finish the high point I said to myself. I love changing my plans last minute anyways. We always have the adventure side in us as a kid. But somehow we let life escape us growing older. So anytime I can add more adventure in my life, I’m all in!

Anyway, the reason this article exists. The Franconia Ridge Loop Trail. Highly recommended for the people who love adventure. This hike is STRENUOUS! It will also take you most of the day to hike it. 8 hours is the average amount of time it takes someone to hike this trail. It took me longer.

This hike is Awesome!!!

You’ll see a trail sign before you head up. You can go in either direction but most people will ascend on the falling waters trail and then descend on Old Brittle Path. Now what’s great about doing it this way is there is a hut about 3 quarters of the way in.

Lets just say you’re a great hiker but may worry about the distance (8 miles) and its strenuousness. You can make this hike shorter and stay at the inn. What’s also nice about the Hut is you can catch a lunch there and / or fill up your water bottles so you don’t necessarily need a water purifier if your day-hiking it.

This hike is Gruesome but also Well Worth the Views!!!! This was probably the most strenuous 8 miles I have ever done. It took me more than an hour each mile I completed and usually I hike between 2-3 miles an hour. It was insane! Mostly due to the rocks. There is pretty much no soil. It is basically putting your foot on a rock after rock after rock. It is pretty intense!

Rocky Trail Indeed :/

So yes! I highly recommend this hike 100%. Just be prepared. The weather can turn very ugly up there very quickly so check the weather. You are very exposed once on the ridge and stay on the ridge for quite some time.

Bring a hefty lunch. You’ll need it from all the energy exertion. And just a precautionary, download maps.me. The trail itself is well-marked so you should be fine but you can never be too careful. This app is the BEST! You download the area while in reception and the app can detect where you are on the trail at any point. You can put your phone on airplane mode to conserve the battery so you can still take pics and also get your exact location from maps.me.

You also might be seeing some through hikers up there hiking the AT (Appalachian Trail.)

Hope you have a great time!!!!! It really was a fantastic hike with viewpoints that were worth every bit of strain :).

Thanks for reading!!!!

Livingonthedirt / Shelly 🙂