Introduction
Winter transforms the Flume Gorge in New Hampshire into a wonderland of snow-covered bridges, frozen waterfalls, and serene landscapes. We ventured out to explore Flume Gorge Loop trail’s scenic winter beauty on a crisp Sunday in March. Located in Franconia Notch State Park, the Flume Gorge stands as one of New England’s most spectacular natural wonders. The narrow, moss-covered granite ravine stretches 800’ long, up to 90’high, and 20’ wide at the base of Mount Liberty.
While the Flume is an incredible place to visit in the summer and fall. Visiting during the winter brings a different experience, offering quiet solitude, untouched blankets of snow, and opportunities to see climbers scaling the ice-covered walls of the gorge. Join us as we share our journey through this winter wonderland.
Route Details
TRIP DATE: March 9, 2025
DISTANCE: 2-mile loop
TIME: 2 hours
ELEVATION GAIN: 600 feet
TRAILHEAD: Flume Gorge Visitors Center
TRAIL MAP LINK: Flume Gorge Trail Map
DIFFICULTY: Moderate in winter (Easy in summer)
WEATHER: 29 F°, Cloudy
As you explore Flume Gorge Loop trail, you find paths, boardwalks, and some stairs that wind through the heart of Franconia Notch State Park. In summer, wooden boardwalks hug the sheer granite walls of the gorge, providing safe passage above the rushing waters. In winter, these same boardwalks transform into snow-covered pathways guiding hikers through a frosted landscape. You’re not able to hike through the gorge, but you’re able to hike up to the gorge and then take the trail around to the other side of the gorge.
There are incredible architectural and geological features throughout the trail including covered bridges, waterfalls, table rock, and large glacial erratics (also known as large boulders 😉).
Winter Hiking Experience - Explore Flume Gorge Trail
Bus Route Trail
We headed out from the Flume Gorge visitors center around noon on cloud Sunday morning. The temperature hovered around 29°F (-1°C), providing perfect conditions for winter hiking. It was cold enough to maintain pristine snow conditions but warm enough to be comfortable with proper layering.
While the visitor center is closed for the winter, the parking lot is still open and clearly marked. The parking lot was filled with groups hiking in the White Mountains of NH before the dreaded Spring mud season. While there were a fair number of groups, we experienced relative solitude on the second half of the hike. Most groups just hiked up and back to the gorge rather than completing the full two-mile loop.
After leaving the visitor center, the trail takes you through the covered Flume Bride over the Pemigewasset River. The bridge, built in 1886, is over 50 feet long and 20 feet wide. Looking down at the Pemigewasset River gave us a glimpse of the forces of Mother Nature that formed the gorge.
If you visit during the summer and fall there is a shuttle that you can take from the visitor parking up to the Boulder Cabin at the start of the Flume Path trail. When it is open the Boulder Cabin has exhibits and information on how the Flume Gorge was formed. These exhibits include a photo of the huge 10-foot by 12-foot rock that was suspended between the walls of the gorge. The giant boulder was dislodged by a landslide during a heavy rainstorm in June of 1883. The boulder was never found and the same storm is the force that formed Avalanche Falls. Sadly, Boulder Cabin was closed, for the season, and we couldn’t see the incredible exhibits.
Flume Path Trail
The climb up the Flume Path to the gorge revealed the next incredible site we came across was Table Rock. This is a large section of exposed granite in Flume Brook that measures over 500’ long and 75’ wide. In the solitude of nature, the only sounds were water flowing over Table Rock under the snow and ice pack.
The landscape began to transform as started to hike between the walls at the start of the gorge. Ice formed over the top of the rock at the top of the gorge and flowed down the walls.
The view got even more incredible as we entered the gorge. If you are lucky, you may be able to see the climbers scaling the ice walls of the gorge.
Rim Path Trail
The most challenging part of the hike was hiking up the Rim Path around the gorge. Thankfully this is also the last section of significant elevation gain.
Even when we reached the top it was difficult to hike out onto the viewing point at Avalanche Falls due to the amount of snow and ice pack. While our microspikes allowed us to safely hike out onto the viewing point we couldn’t hike down to the bear cave. The view from the top of the gorge was stunning. As we took in the view Mother Nature gifted us with a few snow flurries adding to the beauty.
Downhill Ridge Path Trail
From here on out, the rest of the hike was mostly downhill. As we hiked down the Downhill Ridge Path, some incredible viewpoints would be even better on a clear day. At Liberty Gorge, there wasn’t much to see since Cascade Brook was covered under the snow and ice pack. At this point, the trail led us down to the stunning views of the Sentinel Pine Bridge and pool.
The Sentinel Pine Bridge was the second covered bridge of the hike. While newer, built in 1939, than the Flume Bridge, it has a more remarkable story. During a hurricane in September of 1938, one of the largest white pine trees in the state was uprooted. A 60’ section of the pine, known as the Sentinel Pine, was used to create the base of the bridge. From the bridge, you can get a direct view of the 40’ deep pool basin that sits below the bridge.
Woodland Path Trail
To wrap up the hike, the Wildwood Path trail took us through a field of large glacial erratics. These erratics are large boulders that were left behind when a mile-thick sheet of ice retreated through the area during the glacial period 25,000 years ago.
Reflections & Final Thoughts
Hiking the Flume Gorge Loop in winter provided a completely different experience than our previous summer visits. The transformation was so complete that at times it felt like discovering an entirely new trail. For those willing to venture out, this frozen wonderland awaits, promising memories that will last long after the spring thaw. Check out the video of our winter hiking adventure as we explore Flume Gorge Loop trail!
