Mount Lincoln is a gorgeous mountain with exposed ridge-line views, conveniently located right off of I-93. A part of Franconia Ridge. Lincoln is often hiked with the entire or a piece of Franconia Ridge. Mount Liberty is another common peak for hikers to summit on the same day.
Height: 5,089 feet (1,551.1 meters)
Length: 7.8 miles (12.6 km)
Duration: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation Gain: 3,645 feet (1,111.0 meters)
Video by Joseph Getts: View the rest of Getts Wild YouTube channel here
Trail Map
Trails
Falling Waters Trail | 7.8 Miles Round Trip | 3,645 Feet Elevation Gain
The falling waters trail is a very popular trail for good reason. It features gorgeous waterfalls as you ascend up the trail. This is a 3 mile trail to Little Haystack Mountain. Mount Lincoln sits .7 miles away from the summit of Little Haystack. Views are stunning as hikers ascent to Little Haystack and traverse the ridge between the two peaks.
The falling waters trail features long steep sections of large rocks, making for a more difficult than average trail. Due to the rocks, hikers should take a little extra caution while descending.
Old Bridle Path | 8.9 Miles | 3,900 Feet Elevation Gain
The old Bridle Path is a 2.9 mile trail that quickly ascends up to Greenleaf Hut. It connects with the Greenleaf Trail 1.1 miles from the summit of Lafayette. Hikers will continue to ascend to the summit of Lafayette before traversing south across Franconia Ridge towards Mount Lincoln. If hikers wish to do this loop, they should look at our guide on the Franconia Ridge Loop.
Along the Falling Waters Trail
Directions and Parking
There is a lot of parking space on both sides of I-93 at Lafayette Place Parking area and Lafayette campground. Arrive early as this is the most busy section of the White Mountains. Overflow parking on I-93 is illegal and strictly enforced. Overflow parking is now located at Cannon Mountain where there is a shuttle to take hikers to the trailheads.
Camping/Overnight Options
There are some nearby camping and overnight options. The trailhead is located right across 93 from Lafayette Campground, but there is also the AMC hut located along the Old Bridle Path just before the summit of Mount Lafayette. If hikers are combining this hike with Mount Liberty, the Liberty Springs tent sites are located along the Liberty Springs trail. Take a look at our Mount Liberty post to learn more about this.
Weather Forecast
Lincoln, NH
This Afternoon
A chance of rain showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 47. South wind 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Rain showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. West wind 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday
A chance of rain showers before 9am, then a chance of rain showers and patchy fog. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Thursday Night
A chance of rain showers before 2am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Friday
A chance of rain showers before 7am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday Night
A chance of rain showers before midnight, then a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday
A chance of snow showers before 8am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about