Enjoy immersing yourself in nature? The NH Flume Gorge is a spectacular natural wonder and a favorite hiking destination in New Hampshire. Visitors weave through a narrow 800 foot long granite gorge next to a rushing brook with granite walls towering on either side. The lush forest and cascading waterfalls of the Flume Gorge offer a beautiful and picturesque nature trail perfect for beginning hikers and families. Flume Gorge photos do not do this beautiful place justice!
Where is Flume Gorge?
Flume Gorge is located in Franconia Notch State Park in Lincoln, NH. This is a very popular area of New Hampshire for outdoor recreation with the White Mountain National Forest and the Kancamagus Highway.
When Does Flume Gorge Open?
The Flume Gorge trail is open from May to October with their hours listed as 9-5.
How Much Are Flume Gorge Tickets?
In 2024, Flume Gorge tickets are $18 for ages 13 and over and $16 for ages 6-12 when tickets are pre-purchased online. Flume Gorge tickets purchased at the ticket window are $3 more, $21 for ages 13 and over and $19 for ages 6-12. Ages 5 and under are free but must be included in your reservation.
Flume Gorge tickets are reserved for a specific arrival window and popular dates and times could sell out in advance. Visitors who arrive early can access the Visitor Center restrooms, gift shop, and café.
How Long is the Flume Gorge Hike?
The Flume Gorge trail in Franconia Notch State Park is a 2 mile one-way loop that takes about 1.5 hours. Previously, the Flume Gorge trail offered a shorter trail option, but that trail is now closed.
How Difficult is the Flume Gorge Trail?
The Flume Gorge trail in Franconia Notch State Park is described as moderately challenging, but I would rank it on the low-end of moderate as our small children were able to complete the hike. Much of the trail is packed gravel or wooden boardwalk, but there are stairs in the gorge as well as uphill sections throughout the hike. The boardwalk next to the falls and throughout the gorge can be slippery.
How Many Stairs at the Flume Gorge?
The NH Flume Gorge trail has approximately 800 stairs throughout the 2 mile one-way loop.
Is the Flume Gorge Accessible?
No. The Flume Gorge trail is not accessible, but NH State Parks recommends the 8 mile paved trail in Franconia Notch State park or the accessible trail at the Old Man Plaza.
Is the Flume Gorge Hike Kid-Friendly?
Yes! The Flume Gorge hike is one of the best things to do in Lincoln, NH for families. While the hike is not stroller-friendly, it is a great beginner length trail for hiking with kids in New Hampshire. Kids will love walking through the gorge, crossing the covered bridges, climbing in Bear Cave and Wolf’s Den, and watching chipmunks scurry about. We did the trail with our kids when they were 5 and 2, so naturally we expected to carry our toddler periodically throughout the hike. And of course, getting ice cream cones at the end of the trail makes for happy hikers!
Is the Flume Gorge Worth It?
Whether the NH Flume Gorge hike is worth the money is an often debated question. Many visitors enjoy the maintained hiking paths and the amenities offered at the visitor center. While some visitors complain about over-crowded trails that make it more difficult to enjoy being in nature. And others compare the Flume Gorge hike to the many other beautiful waterfall hikes along the Kancamagus Highway and in White Mountain National Forest and cannot justify paying the admission fee for the hike.
When is the Best Time to Visit Flume Gorge?
Summer and fall are both fantastic times to visit the Flume Gorge New Hampshire. The Flume Gorge hike is one of the most popular things to do in New Hampshire during the summer and fall seasons, so we recommend buying tickets online in advance, arriving early, and visiting on a week day if possible.
Tips for Visiting NH Flume Gorge
If Flume Gorge tickets aren’t selling out too quickly, I’d recommend checking the weather before buying tickets, because the stairs and walkways can be slippery in bad weather. Also, if you’d like to enjoy the beautiful blue and green colors of the Pool, you’ll want to visit on a sunnier day.
Wear good hiking shoes and bring a jacket on cooler days. If you visit the Flume Gorge NH on a cooler day, you might consider bringing an additional layer for your walk through the gorge itself. This area of the park is very shaded and the close proximity to the cool water causes the temperature in the gorge to be much cooler than the rest of Franconia Notch States park.
If you want beautiful Flume Gorge photos without other visitors, you’ll want to arrive before opening and be prepared to walk quickly to the gorge to enjoy the most picturesque part of this nature trail without other hikers.
NH Flume Gorge Trail
After walking through the visitor center, follow the path through the Flume Covered Bridge. Stop by the mini museum in Boulder Cabin to learn more about the history of the gorge and see some old photographs. As you walk along the trail next to Flume Brook, you’ll pass Table Rock before entering the flume further upstream.
Surrounded by towering granite walls, you’ll walk along wooden boardwalks through the natural gorge. At its narrowest, the Flume Gorge NH is only twelve feet wide, allowing you to closely experience the rushing water beside and below you. As it threads through the narrow gorge, the boardwalk hugs against the stone walls, which are dappled with moss, ferns, and tiny flowers in the summer. When you reach the top of Flume Gorge, you’ll have a direct view of Avalanche Falls, a 45 foot waterfall.
After exiting the gorge, there’s still quite a bit of trail to go. First, you’ll come across Bear Cave. Continue down the trail and you’ll find a turnoff for Liberty Gorge. Keep your eye out also for a beautiful overlook spot on the left side of the trail.
Later, you’ll cross the Pool on a high wooden bridge called Sentinel Pine Bridge, which offers beautiful views of the colorful water pool below. After the bridge, keep your eye out for the Wolf Den, which is a narrow path through boulders that visitors are welcome to climb and crawl through. When you see Glacial Boulder, you’ll know that you’ve almost completed the Flume Gorge trail.
Other Things To Do in Lincoln, NH
There are so many other fun things to do in Lincoln, NH and in the beautiful surrounding area! A few of our favorites were the Old Man of the Mountain Site and the scenic Kancamagus Highway. Two hikes we really enjoyed in addition to hiking the Flume Gorge New Hampshire were Sabbaday Falls and the Basin trail. Find more things to do in New Hampshire and see our 2 day road trip itinerary here.
See more of our New England series:
3 Day Vermont Road Trip Itinerary
2 Day New Hampshire Road Trip Itinerary
4 Day Coastal Maine Road Trip Itinerary
Ultimate Guide to Acadia National Park
4 Day 3 State New England Road Trip Itinerary
Hiking the Flume Gorge NH Trail with Kids
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New Hampshire’s Flume Gorge Trail
