Kancamagus Highway Hikes - Lincoln Woods Trail

This Hike is accessible via our Kancamagus Scenic Drive Post

Trail beginning : 1157 ft. elev. at Lincoln Woods Trail Parking Lot on the Kancamagus Highway.
Trail Ending : 1450ft. elev. at Pemigewasset Wilderness Boundary.
Length : 2.9 miles.
Access : Lincoln Woods Trail Parking Lot is located on the Kancamagus Highway 5 miles east of 1-93, Exit 28. Parking is available for 160 cars and snow plowing is provided in winter.
Wilderness Trail Trail beginning : 1450ft. elev. at Pemigewasset Wilderness Boundary.
Trail ending : 2060 ft. elev. at Stillwater Junction.
Length : 6.0 miles.
Access : Same as Lincoln Woods Trail.

The Lincoln Woods Trail leaves the parking lot on the north side of the Kancamagus Highway and immediately crosses the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River via a 160 foot long suspension lincolntrail bridge. It then makes a sharp turn to the right and follows the route of the old East Branch and Lincoln Railroad northerly to the boundary of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. At 1.4 miles the Osseo Trail branches to the left (west) and provides a moderately difficult 4-mile hike to Mt. Flume and Franconia Ridge. Just beyond the Osseo Trail junction there is a clearing to the left, which is the site of old, logging Camp 8. The trail comes quite close to the river at 1.7 miles where there is a nice view of Mt. Bond and then crosses Birch Island Brook on a foot bridge at 1.8 miles. Black Pond Trail diverges to the left at 2.6 miles, skirts around the Ice Pond, and provides an easy hike of 0.7 miles to picturesque Black Pond. There are panoramic views of the surrounding mountains from various places around this pond. At 2.8 miles the Franconia Brook Campsite, with 16 tent platforms, is on the left just before a narrow 75-foot bridge crosses Franconia Brook. From here a path leaves the trail to the left and follows the brook upstream 0.3 miles to scenic Franconia Falls, a large rock outcrop about an acre in size with water cascading over it. It is one of the most unique and frequently visited backcountry falls in the mountains, being especially popular with day hikers. After crossing the footbridge Lincoln Woods Trail ends and becomes the Wilderness Trail as it enters the Pemigewasset Wilderness. After going about 50 yards, Franconia Brook Trail branches to the left and climbs a short embankment. This trail provides an easy 5-mile hike to picturesque 13 Falls. The Wilderness Trail continues to follow the railroad grade in an easterly direction. At Camp 16 the Bondcliff Trail diverges to the left (north) and provides a moderately difficult hike to the Bondcliffs. One of the most spectacular and panoramic views of the Pemigewasset Wilderness can be observed from the Bondcliffs. After passing Camp 16, the Wilderness Trail crosses Black Brook on a footbridge, which is adjacent to the last remaining old logging railroad trestle in the White Mountains.