Hiking near Franconia and Sugar Hill

Franconia and Sugar Hill sit just north of Franconia Notch State Park: Franconia Ridge, Cannon Mountain and Lonesome Lake are a short drive south.

Hikes near Franconia

Rated for tomorrow, starting 8:00 AM, for a typical day hike. Drive times are rough.

Artist's Bluff and Bald Mountain Favorable1.5 mi · 365 ft climb · 10 min drive · back by 8:55 AM
Cannon Mountain Favorable3.6 mi · 2,173 ft climb · 10 min drive · back by 10:53 AM
Mount Lafayette via the Greenleaf Trail Not recommended6.7 mi · 3,791 ft climb · 10 min drive · back by 1:16 PM
Cannon Mountain via Hi-Cannon and Lonesome Lake Caution5.2 mi · 2,584 ft climb · 15 min drive · back by 11:54 AM
Franconia Ridge Loop Not recommended8.8 mi · 4,009 ft climb · 15 min drive · back by 2:23 PM
Galehead Mountain Caution10.1 mi · 3,096 ft climb · 15 min drive · back by 2:34 PM
Lonesome Lake Favorable2.7 mi · 1,154 ft climb · 15 min drive · back by 9:55 AM
Mount Garfield Serious10.2 mi · 3,232 ft climb · 15 min drive · back by 2:42 PM
North and South Kinsman Serious11.7 mi · 4,914 ft climb · 15 min drive · back by 4:17 PM
Mount Liberty and Mount Flume Caution9.9 mi · 3,984 ft climb · 20 min drive · back by 2:56 PM
Mount Pemigewasset Favorable3.1 mi · 1,115 ft climb · 20 min drive · back by 10:07 AM
North and South Twin Caution11.2 mi · 3,736 ft climb · 20 min drive · back by 3:28 PM
Bondcliff, Mount Bond and West Bond Not recommended23.0 mi · 6,631 ft climb · 30 min drive · back by 10:49 PM
Mount Hale Favorable4.4 mi · 2,224 ft climb · 30 min drive · back by 11:18 AM
Owl's Head Not recommended18.0 mi · 3,530 ft climb · 30 min drive · back by 6:45 PM
Zealand Falls Favorable5.6 mi · 802 ft climb · 30 min drive · back by 11:12 AM
Zealand Mountain Serious11.4 mi · 2,436 ft climb · 30 min drive · back by 2:55 PM
Mount Moosilauke Favorable7.4 mi · 2,701 ft climb · 35 min drive · back by 1:03 PM
Mount Pierce Serious6.4 mi · 2,485 ft climb · 35 min drive · back by 12:26 PM
Mount Tom, Field and Willey Caution9.6 mi · 3,589 ft climb · 35 min drive · back by 2:34 PM
Mount Willard Caution3.2 mi · 954 ft climb · 35 min drive · back by 10:04 AM

After your hike

Our picks, family-owned first. Hours change, so check before you go.

Polly's Pancake Parlor Breakfast · family-ownedPancakes made to order since 1938. Breakfast and lunch only, so it suits an early finish. 672 Sugar Hill Rd, Sugar Hill, NH.
Iron Furnace Brewing Brewery · family-ownedFamily-run brewery with pizza and paninis. 115 Main St, Franconia, NH.
Super Secret Ice Cream Ice cream · family-ownedSmall-batch ice cream from scratch with local dairy; a James Beard Award semifinalist. 2213 Main St, Bethlehem, NH.
Littleton Freehouse Taproom & Eatery Taproom · family-ownedFather-and-daughter taproom in Littleton's River District: 16 taps of New England craft beer and a big pub menu. Closed Mondays. 29 Cottage St, Littleton, NH.
Woodstock Inn Brewery BrewpubBig, busy brewpub in North Woodstock; a post-hike classic. 135 Main St, North Woodstock, NH.
Black Mtn. Burger Co. RestaurantCreative burgers and local beer; expect a wait on weekends. 264 Main St, Lincoln, NH.
The Place Above the Notch CaféSmall coffee roaster in Bethlehem: lattes, tea and kombucha for the drive. 2061 Main St, Bethlehem, NH.
Rooted On Main RestaurantNew on Main Street in 2026: comfort food with a twist, like a Vermont cheddar burger and braised short rib, plus mocktails. 30 Main St, Littleton, NH.
Surf Noodle Bar RestaurantRamen and noodle bowls, with bubble tea. Closed Sundays. 339 Meadow St, Littleton, NH.
Jack & Fin's BakeryCupcakes, some of them vegan, and breakfast sandwiches. Closed Sundays. 42 Main St, Littleton, NH.
Northern Frosty Bar Ice creamClassic ice cream stand with soft serve, shakes and sundaes, plus fried food and lobster rolls. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 356 Union St, Littleton, NH.
Baltic Kitchen RestaurantSmall Polish kitchen: handmade pierogi, kielbasa and stuffed cabbage. Open weekends only. 183 Cottage St, Littleton, NH.

Swim spots

Tap one for its hike's page, which checks the water against the nearest river gauge. Swim where it's allowed, never alone.

Echo Lake Beach 10 min driveMapped in OpenStreetMap as a place to swim, on Echo Lake. Has a fee. Not checked by us: look at the current, the depth and any posted rules before you go in.
Lower Ammonoosuc Falls 30 min driveA large pool below a 15-foot cascade, a quarter-mile flat walk off US-302 near Twin Mountain. Stay well away from the falls and the current right below them.
Swimming hole on the Baker River 65 min driveMapped in OpenStreetMap as a place to swim, on the Baker River. Not checked by us: look at the current, the depth and any posted rules before you go in.

See this weekend's ratings for every hike

Town guides: Lincoln · Franconia · Twin Mountain · North Conway · Gorham