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The lower part of this trail gives access to several scenic cascades on Dry Brook, unfortunately none of the Dry Brook crossings is bridged so access is poor when the falls are running the highest. The sections of the trail near the cascades can be hazardous in rain or snow. The trail ends near the summit of Little Haystack Mountain at the Franconia Ridge Trail, and provides the shortest route to the summit of Mt. Lincoln.
As a loop together with the Old Bridle Path, it is one of the classic hikes in New Hampshire, summer or winter. The loop distance is about 9.0 miles with an elevation gain of about 3800 feet.
Distance: To Little Haystack, about 3.2 miles one-way
Elevation gain: About 3000 feet on the ascent, minor on descent
Maps:
USGS Franconia
AMC Franconia-Pemigewasset or Moosilauke-Kinsman
Franconia Notch State Park hiking map, available at visitor centers
(online version)
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map H-6
DeLorme NHA&G 43-E/F12 - Lincoln/Franconia
The trail is located between exits 34A and 34B of I-93
Trailhead: Lafayette Place, I-93 Franconia Notch State Park Parkway, elevation about 1800 feet
44.1421°N, 71.6810°W (WGS84)
Northbound on I-93, go past exit 34A and exit at "Trailhead Parking" sign after The Basin
Southbound on I-93, go past exit 34B about 2.2 miles, exit at Lafayette Place and walk through underpass to other side of parkway
Currently no fee
Far End: Franconia Ridge Trail at Little Haystack Mountain, elevation about 4780 feet
Owner: About up to the lowest Dry Brook crossing in Franconia Notch State Park, remainder in WMNF
Maintainer: Appalachian Mountain Club
Special regulations: No fires or camping anywhere in state park (except campground) or along trail in WMNF, distance affected varies
From the northbound parking lot, the combined Old Bridle Path/Falling Waters Trail circles R .2 mi. to Walker Brook, where Old Bridle Path continues uphill along the brook. Falling Waters Trail crosses the bridge and continues to circle across a ridge and down to Dry Brook, which it crosses. The trail turns sharply uphill L along the brook, ignore an unofficial path which continues straight ahead.
The trail passes Stairs Falls and soon recrosses the brook at the foot of Swiftwater Falls. It passes Cloudland Falls, crosses the brook for a third time, then soon crosses back. After a section of sidehill above the brook where a glimpse of Mt. Lincoln may be visible ahead, the trail crosses Dry Brook for the fifth and final time about 1.5 miles from the trailhead.
Now the trail follows an old road grade to the far side of the next ridge, ascends to the nose of the ridge, and then begins a long sidehill segment on the N side of the ridge. About 2.7 mi. from the trailhead, a sign indicates a spur trail which leads .1 miles downhill to Shining Rock Cliff, a large outcrop where water glistens in the warmer months. The main trail used to pass by this attractive nuisance, but was relocated after too many people were injured trying to climb it.
From here, the trail makes a more direct ascent through thicker evergreens. A sign warns of the alpine area ahead, but it takes a few more minutes of climb through ever-smaller trees before the trail bursts out in the open and quickly reaches the summit of Little Haystack Mtn. The Falling Waters Trail ends here; turn left on the Franconia Ridge Trail for Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Lafayette or turn right for Mt. Liberty.
Parking lot plowed in winter. Crampons desirable in icy conditions especially near the falls and above treeline. Snowshoes may be necessary higher up even if not at the beginning.
Map Notes: The USGS map was made before parkway construction: the present northbound trailhead is near where the gravel pit is shown. Also, the old route of the Falling Waters Trail is shown between Dry Brook and Shining Rock Cliff rather than the relocation.
Franconia Notch State Park map
Stair Falls
Franconia Ridge Trail from Little Haystack
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