Discover One of Franconia Notch’s Best-Kept Secrets: The Eagle Cliff Ridge Loop

Sometimes pint-sized adventures pack the biggest punch. This Eagle Cliff Ridge loop is about three hours and combines trails, bushwhacks, and scrambles along a route that rewards with unique views of one of our most cherished landscapes and brings you face-to-face with geologic wonders.

Originally published in Basecamp: The Adventure Annual of Holderness School, Issue 1.

The Route

View the route and more information on the Holderness School Strava.

 

LEG 1

A roughly 1 ¼-mile hike on the Greenleaf Trail warms you up as you hike through a beautiful northern hardwood forest, punctuated by talus that has rolled off the cliffs above or slid down from previous landslides. The trail leads to Eagle Pass, a narrow, cliff-bound notch where you can explore boulder caves and marvel at the differences in plant communities on either side.

LEG 2

Immediately after Eagle Pass, turn left and bushwhack up the forested south flank of Eagle Cliff. This bushwhack is laughably, absurdly steep and dense, and will have you pondering what to name this newfound activity. Moss climbing? Vertical hiking? You’ll gain almost 450 feet in under 2/10ths of a mile before hitting the open summit with spectacular views at 3,400 feet.

LEG 3

A small herd path follows the ridgeline north along an abandoned trail corridor that was never officially opened. Follow this until the trail comes to the edge of a steep gully and move about until you find the exact spot where, looking down the gully, you can see the profile of The Watcher.

Legend has it that The Watcher, also called the Old Woman of the Mountains, was the Old Man of the Mountain’s lover and that the peregrine falcons that live on the cliffs in Franconia Notch would carry messages back and forth between them. Once you’ve taken in this unique view, continue south on the trail for a hundred feet or so to the wide-open top of Hounds Hump and enjoy the spectacular views.

LEG 4

Backtrack a few hundred feet to a gully and carefully pick your way down through hobblebush and loose scree. Stop along the way to admire the view of the Eaglet, often touted as the tallest freestanding rock spire east of the Mississippi.

Once under the Eaglet, pick up a climber’s trail and follow this through talus, scrub, and eventually back to the Greenleaf Trail, where you’ll hike out to your car.

 

 

 

 

Know Before You Go

The Eagle Cliff Ridge Loop is best suited for experienced hikers who are comfortable with off-trail navigation, steep terrain, and scrambling. Portions of the route are unmarked, making navigation skills and a reliable map or GPS essential.

Before heading out:

• Wear sturdy hiking footwear with excellent traction.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks.
• Download the route before leaving cell service.
• Allow approximately three hours, though many hikers will want extra time to enjoy the views.
• Avoid attempting the route in wet or icy conditions.

A Hidden Adventure Worth the Effort

The Eagle Cliff Ridge Loop offers something increasingly rare: the feeling of discovering a place that still feels wild. Between hidden caves, dramatic ridgelines, local legends, towering rock formations, and unforgettable views of Franconia Notch, this short adventure packs an incredible amount into just a few miles.

If you're ready to trade the ordinary for something a little more adventurous, grab a hiking partner, load the route, and experience one of New Hampshire's most rewarding hidden hikes.