Lonesome Lake

Franconia, New Hampshire

4.5/5

based on 4 reviews

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Details

Distance

3.05 miles

Elevation Gain

1027 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Jon Secord

Take this loop hike for incredible views of Lonesome Lake especially at sunset. Head off the tourist path and avoid the crowds on this hike.

The Franconia Notch area of New Hampshire has many roadside adventures to go on, bringing in thousands of visitors every year, but my favorite place in the notch is Lonesome Lake.

At 3 miles, the hike is easy enough for the whole family, but most people visiting the notch stick to the roadside attractions, keeping the crowds at Lonesome down. The views around the lake are incredible, looking out toward Franconia Ridge and Cannon Mountain. There are also many trails connecting to the Lonesome Lake trail, but are generally more difficult. My favorite time to go up is for sunset, but it's also an amazing place for photographing the night sky with very little light pollution.

To get there, drive to Lafayette Place Campground on interstate 93. From the parking lot, you cross over a small footbridge and through the campground to start up the Lonesome Lake trail, which is clearly marked.

If you want to camp and hit the trail as a day hike, you can make a reservation at Reserve America.

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Lonesome Lake Reviews

Emily Holland

Lonesome Lake

06/05/17

Loved having this as part of the hike to Cannon so our group could stop and get a snack.

4.0

Matt Walsh

Lonesome Lake

06/24/16

I love Lonesome Lake. We always stop by on the way back from Cannon Mtn or after a nice hike on Franconia Ridge across the roadway. It's amazing that you can see the reflections of the mountains when the lake is quiet. Also, night time photography is incredible up there - reflections are stunning and you always seem to get a shooting star if you leave the exposure on long enough.

5.0

Ariane Lessard

Lonesome Lake

06/17/16

I discovered this place last may when I was going on a small trip to hike Mt Lafayette. We decided to reach the lake on our second day, when our legs were a bit tired after our previous hike but the ascension is quite easy. We enjoyed the view at the summit and it was a perfect hike to do on our way back to Quebec. Would love to stay in the hut one day !

4.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Snowshoe to Lonesome Lake

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Hike the Franconia Ridge Loop

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Backpack the Franconia Ridge Loop

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Winter Hike North Kinsman

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Falling Waters Trail takes you up to the summit of Little Haystack Mountain, and Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette if you continue to the Franconia Ridge Trail / Appalachian Trail, then over to Old Bridle Path.Also along Falling Waters Trail are stunning waterfalls. The most popular one is Cloudland Waterfall at an 80 foot height, this waterfall is a fan-type horsetail. The beauty of this water...

Lonesome Lake

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Lonesome Lake Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Snowshoe to Lonesome Lake

Hike the Franconia Ridge Loop

Backpack the Franconia Ridge Loop

Camp at Lafayette Campground, White Mountains

Winter Hike North Kinsman

Hike Falling Waters Trail

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