Manchester, NH: Falling Waters-Old Bridle Path
Climb past cascading waterfalls, alongside rocky ledges, and over three exposed summits on this 7.8-mile loop, which offers some of the best views in the White Mountains.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 12.1
Waypoints
FWT001
Location: 44.141815, -71.681564
Start SE on white-blazed Old Bridle Path
FWT002
Location: 44.1399, -71.679901
Hard R over bridge (Walker Brook) onto blue-blazed Falling Waters Trail
FWT003
Location: 44.136749, -71.673615
Cascading Stairs Falls, followed by 60-foot Swiftwater Falls and 80-foot Cloudland Falls (rocks can be slippery)
FWT004
Location: 44.140385, -71.65097
Sidetrip: Turn R and go .1 mile to Shining Rock Spur, a granite ledge 200 ft. high and 800 ft. long; retrace route back to Falling Waters Trail and continue straight
FWT005
Location: 44.140434, -71.64595
Summit of Little Haystack Mtn.; turn L onto Franconia Ridge Trail for exposed hike on boulder and scree trail
FWT006
Location: 44.148849, -71.644569
Mt. Lincoln; continue straight on Franconia Ridge Trail
FWT007
Location: 44.160831, -71.644447
Mt. Lafayette; turn L onto Greenleaf Trail and descend
FWT008
Location: 44.1605, -71.653069
Dirt clearing in boulder field and short scrub
FWT009
Location: 44.160282, -71.660332
Greenleaf Hut sits near glacial tarn; bear L onto Old Bridle Path
FWT010
Location: 44.155384, -71.665482
Fabulous high-peaks views and rest stops for next .5 mile
FWT011
Location: 44.1437, -71.677254
Rest spot: Gnarled roots form a natural seat; continue S then turn R back to trailhead
