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Bristol, New Hampshire

Looking for the best hiking in Bristol? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Bristol. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Bristol

  • Lincoln, New Hampshire

    Hike to Bondcliff

    5.0
    18 mi / 3110 ft gain
    Park at the Lincoln Woods Visitors Center off the Kancamagus Highway where the Lincoln Woods Trailhead begins. Because of such a long hike, it's best to start at daybreak, or as early as possible to make it back before dark. The trail starts at the beginning of a suspension bridge crossing the Ea...
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  • Lincoln, New Hampshire

    Franconia Falls

    6.77 mi / 459 ft gain
    Franconia Falls Trail, starting at the Lincoln Woods Trailhead, features natural waterslides, a swimming hole, and fun for all ages. The Franconia Falls Trail is located in White Mountain National Forest, allows dogs, and is a perfect day trip year round! This trail is also frequently used in th...
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  • Lincoln, New Hampshire

    Franconia Brook Trail

    15.94 mi / 1122 ft gain
    The Franconia Brook Trail is a 16 mile out and back trail in White Mountain National Forest. The trail features a river, and is primarily used for hiking. This trail is also great for cross country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter. The trailhead is approximately eight miles from Thirteen Fall...
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  • Lincoln, New Hampshire

    Hike the Flume Gorge

    4.8
    2 mi / 300 ft gain
    The Flume Gorge in Franconia State Park is beautiful year round and every season has it's unique benefits. During the summer, the Flume is a highly frequented tourist destination and is usually crowded with groups of kids and families. Technically, the Gorge is closed during the winter and there ...
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  • Albany, New Hampshire

    Champney Falls - Bolles Chocura Loop

    5.0
    9.18 mi / 2904 ft gain
    Champney Falls - Bolles Chocura Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Lincoln, New Hampshire.
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  • Lincoln, New Hampshire

    Hike Mt. Liberty and Camp at Liberty Springs Tent Site

    7 mi / 2870 ft gain
    Liberty Springs Trail is a moderately trafficked out and back trail in the heart of Franconia Notch State Park and the White Mountains. The trail is a part of the Appalachian Trail, which allows it to remain very well maintained throughout the year. The trail is listed as difficult and strenuous ...
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  • Albany, New Hampshire

    Rocky Gorge Scenic Area Loop

    2 mi / 266 ft gain
    A beautiful area of the Kancamagus Highway, the Rocky Gorge section is home to rushing rapids and scenic lakes. When visiting in the fall the colors are amazing however be ready for traffic and more crowds. This location has a parking lot and walking trails along the river to multiple viewpoints. 
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  • Lincoln, New Hampshire

    Explore the Basin in Franconia Notch

    4.0
    1 mi / 300 ft gain
    The Basin is just one stop on the Pemigewasset Recreational Trail that follows along I-93 through Franconia Notch. The parking lot for the Basin is easily accessible from either north or south on I-93, and it has it's own exit sign which can't be missed.Park in the lot and follow the signs toward...
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  • Lincoln, New Hampshire

    Kinsman Pond via Basin Cascade

    7.25 mi / 2215 ft gain
    Our hike began at the Basin, which is a clearly marked exit directly off 93. If you are coming from the Northbound side, walk under the bridge beneath 93 to get to the beginning of the trail. We enjoyed the Basin for a while before hiking 1.0 mile to the Cascade Brook Trail where we took a right....
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  • Bartlett, New Hampshire

    Hike Mt. Carrigain

    5.0
    10 mi / 3250 ft gain
    Park on Sawyer River Road at the Signal Ridge Trailhead. Trail starts out as a mild climb and meanders with the Whiteface Brook. When you arrive at the Carrigain Notch Trail junction, turn left. Enjoy three miles of steep uphill along the mountain's edge. When you reach the the apex of Mt. Carrig...
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  • Franconia, New Hampshire

    Lonesome Lake

    4.5
    3.05 mi / 1027 ft gain
    The Franconia Notch area of New Hampshire has many roadside adventures to go on, bringing in thousands of visitors every year, but my favorite place in the notch is Lonesome Lake. At 3 miles, the hike is easy enough for the whole family, but most people visiting the notch stick to the roadside a...
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  • Franconia, New Hampshire

    Hike to Greenleaf Hut via Old Bridle Path

    5.0
    5.5 mi / 3772 ft gain
    To hike to the Appalachian Mountain Club's Greenleaf Hut, the best route for a day hike there and back is the Old Bridle Path. This hike is certainly doable in a day if you're interested in just hiking to the Greenleaf Hut. You have a lot of options when hiking this trail. I am going to focus spe...
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  • Franconia, New Hampshire

    Hike Falling Waters Trail

    4.0
    3 mi / 1100 ft gain
    Falling Waters Trail takes you up to the summit of Little Haystack Mountain, and Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette if you continue to the Franconia Ridge Trail / Appalachian Trail, then over to Old Bridle Path.Also along Falling Waters Trail are stunning waterfalls. The most popular one is Cloudl...
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  • Franconia, New Hampshire

    Snowshoe to Lonesome Lake

    3.1 mi / 1013 ft gain
    The best place to park when doing this hike in the winter is at the Lafayette Campground. The campground and parking lot are typically empty in the cold winter months, aside from occasional cross-country skiers on the Pemigewasset bike path. The Lafayette campground parking lot is directly access...
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  • Franconia, New Hampshire

    Winter Hike up Mount Lafayette

    9 mi / 3900 ft gain
    To start this hike, you can park right at the trailhead in a parking lot off of 93. This is a hike up a mountain so the entire hike is pretty challenging. There is a total elevation gain of 3900 feet in about 4.5 miles. A couple miles in you break through the treeline and then from there the view...
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  • Franconia, New Hampshire

    Hike the Franconia Ridge Loop

    5.0
    8.9 mi / 3600 ft gain
    Starting from the parking lot, the two trails initially begin together. Less than a mile in the trails split into Old Bridle Path to the left, and Falling Waters Trail to the right. Most people choose to go up and down on the same trail. To those doing to loop, most choose to hike up Falling Wate...
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