The Flume Gorge is the first attraction you'll find when you enter Franconia Notch State Park from the south. We paid an entrance fee of $16 per adult but we found the price to be absolutely worth it!
Due to the ongoing health crisis this park has been converted into a one way loop. This gravel path includes the famous boardwalk up the flume and is approximately 2 miles total. We completed the trail in roughly 1.5 hours, stopping to take photos and videos constantly. Note that there is currently a 2 hour time limit on your visit!
After passing the visitors center to enter the park you'll be directed onto the one way path that quickly makes it way down into a gorge. You won't get to go onto the large covered bridge as it's for vehicles only, but you will enjoy a view from the pedestrian bridge that's attached to the side of it. After climbing back up the other side of the gorge you'll pass Boulder Tavern which seems to be closed and then the fun begins.
After you pass "Table rock", a very wide cascade, you'll begin heading up into the Flume proper. This is the famous boardwalk section the park is best known for. This gorge has incredible colors of orange and black, and the very green lichen and other plants provide a beautiful contrast to this. There are multiple waterfalls of varying size and numerous cascades and mini falls crashing over the thousands of boulders. Typically this area is SLAMMED with tourists, but a combination of the health crisis and the rain worked wonders to clear it out for us. Just be careful as everything gets wet and slippery here!
While the flume is the main attraction, and it is early on the hike, there are still many other things to see on the way back. At the very top of the gorge is "Bear cave", an awesome little nook to explore, and a view platform for the main water fall of the gorge. Heading south you'll discover a nice view area over looking a random mountain. We were lucky enough to catch the clouds rolling over this peak, a beautiful sight, but there are also picnic tables here if you need a rest.
You'll begin heading down hill towards several other attractions at this point. "Liberty Gorge" is another lovely fall/cascade that you can see from a distant viewing platform, and you'll get to view "the Pool" from several spots, crossing over it's tributary on an amazing covered bridge! You'll finish your journey by walking through a glacial erratic boulder field. These massive stones were moved by glaciers thousands of years ago... just so you can take the perfect photos with them :)
The trail finally leads back to the main building, currently the gift shop is open and small foods are being served. Bathrooms are also open, with separate stalls for people starting and finishing their hikes.
All in all, this is a top tourist spot for a reason. Don't come here expecting a serious hike, it's nothing of the sort. It is, however, beautiful and shouldn't be missed when exploring New Hampshire.
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