Old Bridle Path
On the way up Mount Lafayette, Mount Lincoln · New Hampshire
Old Bridle Path is a trail on and around Franconia Ridge, climbing about 2,400 ft from Lafayette Place to the Greenleaf Trail junction.
Map length
2.7 mi
Climb from the low end
2,422 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
2 h 33 min / 1 h 21 min
High point
4,202 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
1,758 ft/mi
Stream crossings
0
Low point
1,789 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
HikerNerd routes on this trail
Old Bridle Path
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Lafayette Place (the lower end) to Greenleaf Trail junction.
- 0.0Lafayette Place
- 0.2Junction with Falling Waters Trail
- 2.7Greenleaf Hut
- 2.7Junction with Greenleaf Trail
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Falling Waters Trail junction
0.17 mi (total 0.17) · ↑89 ↓0 ft · 8 min / 5 min
To Greenleaf Trail junction
2.51 mi (total 2.68) · ↑2,329 ↓15 ft · 2 h 25 min / 1 h 16 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette Place | Falling Waters Trail junction | 0.17 | 0.17 | 89 / 0 ft | 8 min / 5 min |
| Falling Waters Trail junction | Greenleaf Trail junction | 2.51 | 2.68 | 2,329 / 15 ft | 2 h 25 min / 1 h 16 min |
↑ walking from Lafayette Place; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Lafayette Place
Off Franconia Notch Parkway (I-93) · Parking fee · About 150 spaces
Weekends (all seasons): Full in 3 of 11 reports, as early as 6:30 am; others found space as late as 9:30 am.
Fall weekdays: Had space in all 5 reports, as late as 4:30 pm.
Latest report, Thu, Sep 24: Plenty of room at 6:30 am, then filling up.
Summit conditions
Today's conditions reportRecent trip reports
5 reports on this trail in the last 30 days: snow or ice in 0, microspikes recommended in 0, mud in 5. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Thu, Sep 24MudDry
Water crossings: Only one on Falling Waters, no issues
Full report on NETC - Tue, Sep 22MudWetDry
Water crossings: Water flows still remain low, so we had no crossing issues. Waterproof footwear always simplifies this - hunting for dry rocks was a non-issue.
Full report on NETC - Tue, Sep 22MudWetDry
Water crossings: All easy rock hops today.
Full report on NETC - Tue, Sep 15MudWetDry
Water crossings: Easily rock hopped.
Full report on NETC - Sat, Sep 12MudDry
Water crossings: Very low water levels, easy water crossings
Full report on NETC
Connecting trails
What to bring
From the summit forecast, Sat to MonPaid links. Backcountry.com pays me if you buy. Prices are Backcountry's, checked twice a day.
67 mph
Summit gusts
Plan a below-treeline hike
Daytime gusts near 67 mph above treeline. Pick a sheltered route or another day.
28°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 28°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
11h 13m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 6:08 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.