The Franconia - Sugar Hill Loop - A Family Bicycling Adventures

Spring Bike Adventure

Biking

The Franconia - Sugar Hill Loop

A Family Bicycling Adventures

By Wayne D. King

Franconia, Sugar Hill & Easton

13.7 Miles Paved (1 mile dirt if you take the Birches St. cutoff)

Intermediate Level based on distance.

There are several appropriate places for beginning this 13.7 mile loop and if you have a map you can also take two other crossroads that allow for some variety or to shorten the route. We recommend beginning in Franconia at the Franconia Inn where there is ample parking in the Franconia Airport parking area. You will begin your trip by continuing on the flats for another 1.6 miles to the Sugar Hill Road on the right.

The Sugar Hill Road eventually becomes the Easton Road on the other end and takes a slight jog at about 2.2 miles where you will turn right, then left in .1 miles onto the Easton Road and follow it to Rte 117.

At this point you will bear right onto Rte 117 into the town of Sugar Hill where you can stop at Harman's General Store for a bit of refreshment. Notice the difference in size between the Sugar Hill Post off and the Sugar Hill Library while you are there – this is a town that has its priorities right!

Freedom of Flight Poster

After your break continue East on Rte 117. It will be uphill for a short while but once you reach the Homestead Inn on the right it will be all downhill from there. This will be the easiest leg of the trip all downhill into Franconia. Families should encourage children to exercise caution because the temptation will be to fly down this section.

Don't miss the best views in Sugar Hill, and the sight of all those award-winning photos.  At the Homestead Inn, turn right onto Sunset Hill Road.  It is only a half-mile long, and has a lookout affording fantastic views, as well as a golf course where you can grab a quick lunch before you begin the second half of your journey back to the car. You will want to make note of your location here in order to return later for an extra special dinner at the Sunset Hill House. Return back to Rte 117 and take a right.

At about 2.3 miles from the Junction of 117 and Easton Road you'll come to Birches Road (also called Bickford Road locally) The Saint Matthews Episcopal Church is at this junction. It is open in summers through September. It seats 150 people and is a popular spot for weddings and among the most photographed churches in the country.

If you'd like to shorten your trip by a few miles this is one road that you can take as an alternative. It passes by the Frost Place where Robert Frost lived and wrote many of his greatest works. There is a small fee to visit the Frost Place but its well worth it.

Dreams of the Trail

If you take Birches/Bickford, you'll end up back on the Church Road (Rte 116) with about a half-mile to go back to your vehicle. If you continue on Rte 117 you'll find yourself winding down toward the town of Franconia.

If you are a history buff take the time to stop at the historic marker just down the road. It was at this location in 1929 that Austrian-born Sig Buchmayr established the first organized ski school in the United States. Sponsored by Peckett's-on-Sugar Hill, one of the earliest resorts to promote the joys of winter vacationing in the snow, the school provided an initial impetus to the ski sport America knows today.

Just beyond the historic marker you'll pass the quaint Sugar Hill Inn and wind your way into the town of Franconia on Rte 18.

This is the section of road likely to have the most traffic. Bear right (south) on Rte 18 and you will almost immediately see the Old Stone Iron Furnace historic site on the right. This is worth a stop to walk into the park and gaze at the kiln across the river as well as to read some of the historic documentation.

After your break continue for about 4/10 mile to the main junction in town and then go right again onto Rte 116 aka Church St. This is the road that returns you to Easton. You'll pass by the Dow building and then begin your final journey through the valley.

The reason we suggest ending you trip on this leg is quite simply that it is a reasonably flat final leg and the scenery is just beautiful. Riding down into the valley one understands why Robert Frost was captivated by this lovely spot. You will also find two great swimming holes where you can refresh at the end of the trip: Slippery Rocks Swimming Hole is located on Rte 116 about 500 yards beyond the Bungay Jar B&B. The Easton Town Hall and Volunteer Fire Dept make up the "downtown" of Easton. Turn on the road next to Town Hall, go about 100 yards and on the left are two large boulders, about 30 ft beyond the boulders is Slippery Rock, a small waterfall, swimming hole and chute, a slide and another hole. According to local folks, it's quite tame and great for kids. There is also another swimming hole directly across from the Town Hall on Rte 116.

If you are a history buff take the time to stop at the historic marker just down the road. It was at this location in 1929 that Austrian-born Sig Buchmayr established the first organized ski school in the United States. Sponsored by Peckett's-on-Sugar Hill, one of the earliest resorts to promote the joys of winter vacationing in the snow, the school provided an initial impetus to the ski sport America knows today.

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