The Flume is a natural gorge in Franconia Notch State Park stretching 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty. The walls, made of Conway granite, rise 70 to 90 feet high and are 12 to 20 feet apart. The Flume Trail is a 2-mile loop that begins and ends at the check-in booths in front of the Flume Building. The loop takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete and includes uphill walking and many stairs. A boardwalk along the trail allows visitors to closely observe the area’s flora and fauna.
Points of interest as you hike the Flume Gorge –
- The Flume Covered Bridge
- Table Rock
- Flume Gorge Trail
- Avalanche Falls
- Bear Cave
- Liberty Gorge Cascade
- Sentinel Pine Bridge and Pool
- Wolf Den
- Glacial Boulders
The Flume Covered Bridge – This covered bridge built across the scenic Pemigewasset River, is one of the oldest in the state and is located near the beginning of the Flume Gorge trail, serving as a picturesque start to the journey through the gorge. You’ll cross it soon after starting from the Visitor Center, and it’s a highlight before you delve deeper into the gorge itself. The bridge was built in 1886 and has been restored several times. Such bridges were often called kissing bridges because of the darkness and privacy they provided.
Flume Gorge, Table Rock – After passing the covered bridge, the path follows alongside an area called Table Rock. The water in the river passes thinly over a wide, smooth expanse of granite. It is 500 feet (150m) long and 75 feet (20m) wide and can be slippery.
Flume Gorge Trail – After passing the Table Rock area, a sign announces the beginning of the Flume Trail. The scenic and beautifully laid out trail on a boardwalk takes you through stunning waterfalls, rock walls, and caves.
Flume Gorge, Avalanche Falls – At the top of the Flume, you’ll be greeted by the thundering 45-foot (13.6 m) Avalanche Falls. This dramatic waterfall roars as Flume Brook enters the gorge. It was created during the great storm of 1883, which washed away the hanging boulder.
Flume Gorge, Bear Cave – is located near the top of the Flume Gorge, past the main boardwalk and close to the Avalanche Falls. You can squeeze through the narrow, ancient rock formation for a somewhat fun and tight experience.
At the top of the Flume, after checking out the Avalanche Falls and Bear Cave, the trail has two options – one returns people to the starting point, the other follows a trail for a little over a mile back to the main entry. We followed the longer route to see Liberty Gorge Cascade, the Pool, The Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge, the Wolf’s Den.
Flume Gorge, Liberty Gorge Cascade – On the Ridge Path, look for a turnoff that leads you to Liberty Gorge, a beautiful cascading mountain stream that flows through the narrow valley.
Flume Gorge, Sentinel Pine Bridge and Pool – The Pool is a deep basin in the Pemigewasset River. It was formed at the end of the Ice Age, 14,000 years ago, by a silt-laden stream flowing from the glacier. The Pool is 40 feet deep and 150 feet in diameter, and is surrounded by cliffs 130 feet high. A cascade rushes into it over fragments of granite that have fallen from the cliffs above.
Flume Gorge, Wolf Den – This was the abode of wolves at some point of time. You can enter from below and exit at the top, crawling all the way.
Glacial Boulders – As you walk through this area, you will notice many boulders. Some are quite large, weighing over 300 tons. During the glacial period over 25,000 years ago, a great ice sheet more than a mile thick moved over this area. The mass of ice was so powerful, it moved both large and small boulders. As the ice sheet retreated, these boulders were left behind. They are called glacial erratics.