Lonesome Lake, Franconia Notch NH

• 4-star hike
• 3 mile out-and-back
• Medium difficulty | Gain 1,030 feet
• Lincoln, NH | White Mountains Region
. The image shows a peaceful natural scene with a calm lake surrounded by dense green forests and mountains in the background. The sky is partly cloudy, reflecting on the water’s surface. It’s a serene and picturesque landscape

The image shows a peaceful natural scene with a calm lake surrounded by dense green forests and mountains in the background. The sky is partly cloudy, reflecting on the water’s surface. It’s a serene and picturesque landscape

Expand ↓ Map

Trailspotting Map:

4★ Lonesome Lake Trail
3.0 mi loop, medium, gain 1,030 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

Hike just a-mile-and-a-half from the hustle and road noise of Franconia Notch to enjoy the tranquility of Lonesome Lake among panoramic mountain views. The trail begins by Lafayette campground and climbs a thousand feet on a gently inclined trail with terrain that should be comfortable for most people. The trail on our map terminates at the AMC Lonesome Lake Hut, but you can continue to hike around the perimeter of the lake to enjoy all the views this spot has to offer. We visited on a summer weekday and found it not too busy, though this area can become packed, particularly on weekends and holidays.

The AMC Lonesome Lake Hut offers overnight accommodations as well as breakfast, dinner and naturalist programs. All visitors can use the facilities bathrooms, water refill stations and can buy snacks, hot drinks and soup at lunchtime. In addition to hanging about the lake or taking a swim, the hut is a great base from which to explore neighboring mountain peaks and to have snowshoeing adventures in the winter months.

Driving directions linked above lead to the large Old Bridle Path parking area on the east side of Interstate 93, and the Lonesome Lake trail is accessible by a trail under the freeway. This is the first parking opportunity if you are driving up from the South and the one with the greatest chances of finding an available spot. There are two other parking areas across the interstate (directions) and both are closer to the trailhead, but there is no connecting road under the freeway at this location and driving between the two sides requires four to five miles of additional driving.

Lake views towards Mounts Lafayette and Lincoln.

The image shows a trailhead with two wooden signs. The sign on the left indicates “Lonesome Lake Trail” with an arrow pointing right and mentions that it is part of the Appalachian Trail. Below, there is a symbol indicating wheelchair accessibility and text stating “Lonesome Lake Hut 1.6M.” The sign on the right says “Lonesome Lake” with an arrow pointing straight ahead and below it states “Public Welcome.” There are stone steps leading into a forested area, suggesting the beginning of a hiking trail.

Lonesome Lake Trailhead, near Lafayette Campground.

The image shows a natural forest scene with dense greenery. There are various trees, some with thin trunks and others thicker, with a mix of evergreen and deciduous foliage. A small wooden footbridge crosses over a narrow stream or wetland area, which is surrounded by grasses and other wetland vegetation.

Cascade Brook Trail boardwalk by the lake.

The image shows the interior of a rustic wooden building with a high ceiling and exposed beams. There is a central wooden pillar with several hanging lamps. The space appears to be a shop or visitor center, as indicated by the presence of shelving with various items, informational posters on the walls, and a counter where transactions could occur. Multiple individuals are present; one is seated on the left side, another stands near the counter in the middle, and two others are standing towards the right side of the image.

Inside the AMC Lonesome Lake Hut

Tangents:
• Official: AMC Lonesome Lake Hut
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Lonesome Lake
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article

Trailspotting Nearby
5★ Flume Gorge (2 mi) · 4★ Kinsman Mountain (10 mi) · 4★ Pemigewasset Mountain (4-5 mi) · Show Map

New England Lake Trails
Find trails that feature lakes along their journey.

New England Fire Towers
Discover our map of fire towers and the trails to find them.