Are you looking for a fun, easy hike for the whole family? Look no further than the Flume Gorge Trail in Lincoln, New Hampshire. This beautiful, well-maintained trail will lead you around a breathtaking gorge and the amazing scenery at the base of Mount Liberty. With something for everyone, this short 2.2-mile hike will surely be a hit for kids and adults alike. When it comes to New Hampshire waterfalls this hike has an epic and beautiful one right in the gorge as well as plenty of other historic and natural places to witness all along the way.
Early in your hike, you’ll come across this beautiful, historic covered bridge. Built over the scenic Pemigewasset River in 1886, the Flume Covered Bridge is one of the oldest covered bridges in New Hampshire.
We found so many pieces of history and natural beauty hidden all throughout this trail that time flew by without even a thought. If you like hikes, and nature walks with alot of points of interest this is one of the best ones in the White Mountain region.
This 800-foot gorge at the base of Mount Liberty has stunning rock walls that tower 70 to 90 feet above you. The gorge was formed many years ago and was discovered in 1808 by 93-year-old “Aunt” Jess Guernsey while she was out doing some fishing.
Gorges like this are a blast to hike through with plenty of waterfalls, babbling brooks, pleasant streams, stunning overlooks, and beautiful forests. If you slow things down on your hike you can really appreciate the way the water flows, or just stand in awe of the towering mountains. We are truly blessed by having this majestic spot in the midst of the White Mountain National Forest.
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Overall, the hike will take approximately 90 minutes, but if you take your time you can easily spend longer. The trail does have a boardwalk section and through the gorge and that ended up being our favorite part. There is quite a bit of stair and uphill walking, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
As you ascend the stairs you will be right in the heart of the gorge with towering rock walls on either side of you. Follow along as the water weaves its way down the slick rocks and pools and falls yet again. The whole place is teeming with beauty but the crown jewel at the end of the boardwalk section is the waterfall.
You will be able to walk right up the this glorious waterfall and it will signal the end of that section of the gorge. You still have plenty to see however as you continue one, including a top-down view of the waterfall on a quick little spur trail.
To help keep your children more involved in the hike, be sure to print out and bring the Flume Gorge Scavenger Hunt from the website. The scavenger hunt will add to your child's adventure and encourage them to learn about and interact with the nature around them. Don’t forget to bring a pencil!
If you loved the first covered bridge you will fall in love with the second one. This historical piece is for pedestrianions only and you get to walk across a big section of the gorge while hearing the creaks of the old wooden bridge.
Flume Gorge Trail has plenty of unforgettable views, including the stunning Avalanche Falls. You’ll want to spend plenty of time enjoying all the sights and sounds surrounding the falls.
A notable stop close to the end of the loop trail is simply titled The Pool. There is a high platform you can walk down and get a grand look at this small body of water with crystal clear water.
This easy hike will definitely not disappoint. The Flume Gorge Trail is a great way to spend a relaxing afternoon enjoying the magnificent New Hampshire scenery. Make sure to plan ahead and get your tickets online ahead of time.
Have you ever hiked the Flume Gorge Trail? It is definitely one of the must-see trails in New Hampshire. If you hike or have hiked this trail, we’d love to hear about your experience! Don’t forget that this hike requires advanced reservations, so be sure to head over to the website to purchase your tickets! We love hiking with AllTrails on our phone so make sure you download the Flume Gorge Trail map and keep track of where you are on the trail as you go. Also before you go check out this Adventuring in the Moment video of when we took our family on this lovely hike.
