New Hampshire’s Inner-Pemi Loop is located right outside Lincoln, New Hampshire, on the Kancamagus Highway. The majority of this loop is located on old railroad beds from the logging operations in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. This trail is moderately difficult, best hiked in summer / fall, and can be done in two days.
Region: New England (White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire)
Distance: 23 Miles, 2 days
Physical Difficulty: (Moderate)
- ~3,800 feet elevation gain
- Unmarked herd path to summit of Owl’s Head
- Up to 15 stream and river crossings
Logistical Difficulty: (Moderate)
- No cell phone service
- Plentiful water sources (filtering recommended)
- Only one designated tent site (fee Memorial Day to Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day)
- Fee to park at trailhead
Season: Fall, Summer
Elevation (average): 2,000-3,000 feet
Total Elevation Gain: ~3,800 feet
How to get to the Inner-Pemi Loop Trailhead
Nearest City: Lincoln, New Hampshire (5 miles)
Parking is one of the benefits of the loop. The parking lot at Lincoln Woods Trailhead is five miles from Lincoln, directly off Interstate 93. There is a fee per night to park at the trailhead through a self-serve box at the trailhead. Although the parking lot is large, it can fill up quickly on weekends during peak season. There are bathroom facilities and the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center at the trailhead where you can buy last-minute supplies.
If you fly into Manchester or Boston, there are shuttle services offered through Concord Coach Lines to Lincoln.
Ali’s Rides (603) 348-3914 and Priority Transportation (603) 631-6242 are particularly reliable.
Hiking the Inner-Pemi Loop
This loop is one of my favorite hikes in the White Mountains. I like it so much I did the loop two times in one summer and both times it was the perfect length and difficulty. The Inner-Pemi Loop has up to 15 water crossings and should not be attempted in high-water years or in late spring when snowmelt could make for treacherous conditions. The majority of this hike is located within the Pemigewasset Wilderness and additional regulations should be followed for camping in a wilderness location. There is a caretaker fee to camp at Thirteen Falls Tentsite during peak season (Memorial Day to Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day) and camping is first come, first serve for parties under six people. Additional information can be found here.
The Inner-Pemi Loop starts and finishes on a heavily trafficked trail known as the Lincoln Woods Trail outside Lincoln, on the Kancamagus Highway. The majority of this loop is located on old railroad beds from the logging operations that took place in the Pemigewasset Wilderness in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The trails pass by the sites of five old logging camps and artifacts from the old logging operations can also be found along the trail. Please do not remove any artifacts from the sites.
The first 3 miles of trail are heavily trafficked, wide, and flat. Upon crossing the second bridge, the trails are still easy to follow, but less maintained. Don’t be surprised if the trails are muddy and wet, even during fall. Shortly after the second bridge crossing bear left onto the Franconia Brook Trail, and about 1.7 miles later take another left onto the Lincoln Brook Trail. This is where the water crossings begin. There will be several crossings that will require either rock hopping, getting your feet wet, or both.
As you near the herd path to Owl’s Head, the trail will be unavoidably wet. Prior to the herd path, there is one flat spot where people set up camp. There are also several spots near the trail at the junction with the Owl’s Head herd path where people camp. Make sure to follow wilderness camping regulations if you choose to camp along this stretch of trail.
The junction where the Owl’s Head herd path starts is marked by two cairns, one on the left and one on the right side of the trail. Owl’s Head, once a seldom-visited mountain, has become just as popular as many of the other peaks on the New Hampshire 4,000-footer list. Although the trail is unmaintained and considered a path, it is pretty easy to follow. The trail leads through the woods and then pops out onto a slide, which is where the majority of the elevation gain (1,450 feet in one mile) is achieved. After re-entering the trees, the trail continues at a steep pitch and using tree branches to pull yourself up is required in some spots. Eventually the trail levels out at the top of the ridge that leads to the summit of Owl’s Head. Bear left and follow the path for an additional quarter mile along the ridge, climbing over and going around several blowdowns, until you reach a small cairn marking the wooded summit. Although the summit is wooded, there are a few spots along the herd path where you can see up toward Franconia Ridge.
Upon completing the climb to and from Owl’s Head, the remainder of this loop is less traveled and less maintained. Passing the cairns marking the herd path, you will begin the 3.5-mile trek deep into the Pemigewasset Wilderness. The trail becomes muddy with some mild climbs as you pass along the side of Owl’s Head and the banks of Lincoln Brook. There are a few spots where views of the Franconia Ridge can be seen through the trees.
Eventually the trail descends toward Thirteen Falls Tentsite. There is a stream crossing as you reach the final stretch of the Lincoln Brook Trail that requires getting your feet wet as you cross Franconia Brook and rejoin the Franconia Brook Trail. Be aware that this crossing may be impassable during high water. Upon crossing Franconia Brook, bear left toward Thirteen Falls Tentsite. Bearing right, there are several beautiful waterfalls along the first stretch of the Franconia Brook Trail, heading back toward the Lincoln Woods Trail. The trail continues a gradual descent and eventually levels out, following old railroad beds where the railroad ties are still visible at times. The final section of the Franconia Brook Trail, prior to the junction with the Lincoln Brook Trail, flanks wetland that may spill over into the trail, making keeping your feet dry impossible. Once past this wetland the trail continues on a straight and level path until it meets back up with the Lincoln Woods Trail and thus the loop is complete.
When to Hike the Inner-Pemi Loop
The Inner-Pemi Loop is best hiked after Memorial Day weekend through early-to-mid October. The best time is August to September to avoid the buggy season while still having longer days and warmer nights. I wouldn’t recommend hiking this loop in winter unless you are prepared with winter gear and prepared to break trail for several miles. Additionally, hiking this loop in early spring would mean contending with rotting monorails and higher water, along with damage to the trails by having to navigate around seasonal wet stretches and mud.
Inner-Pemi Loop Terrain
The majority of this loop is within a wilderness boundary and is heavily forested. There are several areas where the trails are muddy due to beaver dams or simply because of the overabundance of water in and around the trail corridor. The herd path to the summit of Owl’s Head is an unmaintained trail and has no trail markers. There is a section of this path on a slide, meaning that the trail is covered in scree and loose rock and is at a pitch that may require scrambling rather than hiking. The majority of this loop has minimal changes in elevation, with the majority concentrated in a few steep climbs. There are at least 15 water crossings ranging in difficulty from minimal (rock hoppable) to requiring fording (knee-high water on a 5’5” hiker).
Logistics: Camping, Permits, Land Management
Camping and Permits: Camping at Thirteen Falls Tentsite requires a caretaker fee from Memorial Day to Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend. There are plenty of spots along the loop for stealth camping as long as you follow regulations for camping in a wilderness corridor. Camping at Thirteen Falls is on a first come, first serve basis for parties under six.
Land Management: Almost the entirety of this loop is situated in a wilderness boundary and wilderness camping rules apply.
Water: Water is plentiful along the entirety of the loop, but it should be filtered.
Know Before You Go
This is a loop that shouldn’t be attempted by hikers who are not experienced in navigating in wilderness boundaries where there are fewer trail markers and the trails are less groomed. The herd path leading to the summit of Owl’s Head shouldn’t be attempted by those who are not able to navigate on unmarked herd paths. Additionally, this trail may be more difficult to navigate in wetter conditions, and the river crossings may be difficult during high water.
Resources
White Mountain Guidebook & Maps
Wilderness Regulations
4,000-Footers List
Mountain Forecast
Hike Safe Card
New England Trail Conditions
