Franconia Notch Bike Path Fun Ride-15 Mile Bike Ride

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Lincoln, NH, US

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Route Overview

All Day Adventures

Hiking, Cyclo-Cross, MTB, Fat Bike, Road Bike: in Eastern Mass, and New England www.AllDayAdventures.org

14 mi.

1,091 ft.

Lazy day to explore a few of the sights on the Franconia Bike Path.

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Route Details

**The Franconia Notch Fun Ride** is a great side destination on any trip up North.  Although it is Small in miles, it is Big in entertainment value.

[**www.AllDayAdventures.org**](https://www.alldayadventures.org)

This fully paved bike path works its way 5 miles up to Franconia Notch. Along the way are many scenic tourist stops, and ends at Echo Lake sitting in the shadow of Cannon Mountain.

**About the Ride:** Total ride is about 15 Miles, out and back.  5 Miles up hill, mostly at a gentle angle. 4 miles flat riding (flatish) then return with a 4 mile down-hill on the same path.  While I do consider this a “Family Ride”, or a “Fun Ride”, I must issue this:

**Extreme Caution:**  This down-hill return is very fast. Anyone can easily reach riding speeds over 40 MPH for over 4 miles.  Very easy to lose control and hit a tree. Very easy to hit people hiking, and sometimes there are animals. On wet surfaces you should use extra caution.

**Children under 12,  NOT recommended to use this route.**  Knowing from experience a direct hit on a tree can cause serious injury at only 12 MPH.  The 4.5 mile hill climb maybe too much young folk too.

**Helmets are a MUST for EVERYONE**.  Even if you are in control of your bike, other folks are also riding their bikes down the hill at 40 MPH, and you can not count on them being in control of their bike.  BEARS, MOOSE and many other dangerous animals are in this forest. Always be careful of your surroundings.

Nuff of that.. just be careful…

**Ride Equipment:**  Road Bike, Cyclo-cross, Hybrid, Mountain Bike. All are welcome. Pack some food, a camera is a must, maybe a towel. Echo Lake has a Public beach. Access for $4.00.  Bring a bike lock. Spend the afternoon.

**Riding the Route:**  Starting at “@photo[The Flume](1889402)” parking area on Rt. 3 North.  There are many signs to denote this location.    The trail access is at the North side of the parking lot. Not very well marked, but it is a paved walkway heading up the hill.

You will be following the @photo[Pemigewasset River](1889404) along the way.  The first 2 miles is just a climb.  You are in forest the entire way, so the sun will not beat you down.  But it is still a long climb.

Your first stop at **Mile 2** will be “The Basin”.  @photo[The Basin](1889403) is an area where the Pemigewasset River pools up on exposed NH granite.  There will be a lot of tourist here and a few other locations, as there is a parking -area within walking distance of the Basin.  Get off your bike and walk the dirt paths along the bike trail.  You can rejoin your original route at the top of the dirt path.

From the top of the Basin area, you rejoin your original route and continue your climb to the Lafayette Campground.  This is also the trail head to climb Mt Lafayette, so can see up to @photo[hundreds of hikers](1889407) on a busy day.  Be alert for other people.  Some @photo[great views](1889405) here.  While you can not see the summit of Lafayette, you can see its sister peak on the same ridgeline, Mt Lincoln.

Past the campground area, at **Mile 5.5** you will be at the former sight of Old Man on the Mountain.  A viewing area of a rock formation that no longer exist.  At this location is a poster-board explaining it.

From here the trail flattens out as you approach the lakes in the shadow of @photo[Cannon Mountain](1889409). At the end is @photo[Echo Lake](1889410). Strongly recommend paying the $4.00 put a towel out and go for a swim.  Best mountain view swim you could wish for.

The ride back is down-hill. Be careful and have fun.

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Franconia Notch Bike Path Fun Ride-15 Mile Bike Ride

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