Franconia Notch Bike Path
Franconia Notch Bike Path
Franconia Notch Bike Path is one of my favorite rides. Bicycling Magazine has called it the most challenging Bike Path in the US. But reviews of this Bike Path seem to be all over the place. Some calling it a meandering novice ride and other saying it is not safe to ride. How can a bike path have so many personalities. Let’s take a look at the Franconia Notch Bike Path and see why.
Cannon Cliffs
First, this is not a novice ride and definitely not for children. This path has very steep accents and descents. If you didn’t come with Mountain Gearing unless you are quite strong there are climbs that you will be walking. This is no flat, straight Rail Trail. This trail climbs steeply and has many sharp turns. Many riders have called it not a bike path but a paved hiking trail.
Franconia Ridge from Lafayette Campground
This is definitely not a path that you would bring your children to ride on. You also won’t see many strollers. You will see some hikers and on the weekends a lot of people by The Basin. This is great September ride during the week when there aren’t many walkers around.
The return ride from the end of the bike path by Route 3 has a few climbs but once you get to Profile Lake it is a Roller Coaster Ride back to the Flume Parking Lot and a nice down hill to Lincoln. You will have earned this ride on the way up. The path has some sharp turns and a few walkers so keeping under the 20 MPH speed limit makes a lot of sense. Even at that s peed with the sharp turns you will find the ride exciting.
Mt. Garfield Near End of Bike Path
I think, paved hiking path is a very apt description and that is what makes this bike path unique. Most riders will find it challenging. It also has beautiful mountain views and the feeling of being in a special place.
Route Map
Ride Profile from Lincoln to End of Franconia Notch Bike Path and Back to Lincoln
Resources:
Filed under: Favorite Rides, Favorites, Rides, Tour Planning
You need to put directions to the Franconia Gap park (list the state and closest city)
Take a look at the Resources listed at the end of the article. There is a link to the Franconia Notch State Park Website in that list. They have everything you mentioned.
[...] I have ever ridden on and maybe the best set of urban paths anywhere. Not the rugged beauty of the Franconia Notch Trail but great riding with good food and wine along the way (excellent beer and cider also). The Montreal [...]
[...] actually have a fairly nice set of bicycling routes and the best Bike Path anywhere, the Franconia Notch Bike Trail, in New Hampshire but unlike Maine we don’t mark our bicycling routes or publish them. Good [...]