White Mountain National Forest

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• Howard
  More than a year ago
  Lincoln Woods Trail, Franconia Falls

  A great, easy walk, much of it alongside growing streams, on a former railroad track that has been converted to a hiking trail. You can opt for very short walks on level trails, or you can extend your hike all the way into the wilderness trails of the park. Dogs need to be on leash in the parking lot, but are allowed to be under voice control once on the hiking trail. There is a small per vehicle parking fee, on the date of this Review being three dollars.

  On this day, I took my cocker spaniel on the Lincoln Woods Trail to Franconia Falls and back, just over 6.75 miles, per my GPS (although the maps indicate that the distance is more like 6.3). The trail is well marked and well maintained. Even for first time hikers, this walk gives a lot of bang for the effort, and it's the kind of place that is friendly to even first-timers.

  We passed several people with dogs, and there were sniffs and greetings exchanged.Dogs on the trail are friendly and used to this interaction. On the other hand, there were plenty of times that we were alone for as far as the eye could see.

  The trail is quite flat for the first three miles or so. The turn-off to the falls gets a little narrower and somewhat steeper for the last third of a mile, but it is still easy enough that small dogs will have no problems negotiating the short climb.

  This last part may be a time to consider leashing dogs that tend to run ahead. The narrow trail approaches some overhangs above the rushing water below.

  The trail pinches off overlooking the water, and there are big, flat slabs of pollished rock surfaces on which we stopped to rest before reversing course.

  There are several offshoot trails and extensions along the main trail. So, there are several longer or shorter options to this hike. Plus, it is flat for much of the travel, and it is certainly dog friendly. (I passed a ranger with my dog off-leash without issue.)

  I would absolutely go back to this place again.

• David
  More than a year ago
  Dog Friendly Hikes

  All trails along the Kancamagus Highway (NH 112). between Lincoln and Conway are dog friendly. (As well as at Franconia State Park.) $3 a day fee, carry in carry out policy, no dogs in campground and do not leave dogs in car unattened.

  Trails Cali woof hiked.
  Lincoln Woods easy, Pine Brook easy to moderate, UNH moderate to hard

We dug up 5 pictures of dogs at White Mountain National Forest.

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