Combine the Mount Lafayette, North Lincoln, and Little Haystack summits, and what do you get? The Franconia Ridge Loop! And boy, is it a beauty. It's about a 10-mile hike, depending on where you start. It's one of my absolute favorite hikes in all of New Hampshire, if not New England. Objectively, it really is one of the White Mountain's most iconic and breathtaking hikes. You start by heading up the Falling Waters trail past several beautiful cascades, before emerging above the treeline onto the Franconia Ridge, itself, where you're rewarded with spectacular 360-degree views of the Whites.
You snag 3 of the 4000-footers along the route. Little Haystack sits at 4,760’, Mount Lincoln is 5,089’, and Mount Lafayette at 5,260’. With a dramatic, open ridgeline that stretches for miles, the steep ascent is more than worth it. The descent follows the Greenleaf Trail, passing the historic Greenleaf Hut, a great spot to rest before taking the Old Bridle Path back down.
It's a fairly challenging hike with steep ascents and a rocky (often slippery) descent. But you really will find some of the most stunning alpine scenery in the Northeast here. On a clear day, you can see the Presidential Range, Mount Washington, and even into Vermont. If you’re looking for a true New Hampshire hiking classic, this loop is a must.