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Franconia Ridge Trail & Mount Lafayette Loop
Hiking Trail
Hard
7.97 mi
3,926 ft
5:10:16
The Franconia Ridge Trail takes you along several stunning ridges to 3 of New Hampshire’s most scenic summits: Mount Lafayette, Mount Lincoln, and Little Haystack Mountain. The trail follows a loop route, and most hikers consider it a hard hike. The most popular routing is to proceed counterclockwise, beginning with the Falling Waters Trail, but the clockwise direction is fantastic as well. This is one of the most popular hikes in the area for Strava members. The trail also has several resources to help you have a great hike including an American Mountain Club hut where you can stop for water and a bathroom break.
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franconia Ridge Loop- Complete | 7.82 mi | -3,986 ft | -0.3% |
| Mt Lincoln--up Falling Waters trail | 3.49 mi | 3,291 ft | 17.8% |
| 05/31/10 Franconia, NH | 0.41 mi | 285 ft | 12.9% |
| Falling Waters to Lafayette past GF hut loop | 7.55 mi | 3,425 ft | 0.2% |
| Little Haystack--up Falling Waters | 2.87 mi | 2,966 ft | 19.5% |
| Falling Waters Trail | 2.78 mi | 2,838 ft | 19.3% |
| Falling Waters Trail Climb | 0.69 mi | 751 ft | 20.4% |
| Falling Waters Trail Climb | 1.92 mi | 2,162 ft | 21.2% |
| Haystack-Lincoln-Lafayette ridge | 1.57 mi | 525 ft | 5.8% |
| CW Pemi Loop 4 - Lincoln | 0.61 mi | 371 ft | 10.1% |
| 05/31/10 Franconia, NH | 0.50 mi | 374 ft | 14.0% |
| CW Pemi Loop 5 - Lafayette | 0.95 mi | 354 ft | 3.0% |
| Lafayette climb from Lincoln | 0.35 mi | 374 ft | 19.7% |
| Greenleaf - Lafayette descent to first firs | 0.47 mi | -692 ft | -27.6% |
| Bridle path decent from GL hut | 2.50 mi | -2,234 ft | -16.9% |