Astray Fish

Loon Mountain is a well known skiing destination, situated on the western entrance to the Kancamagus Highway in Lincoln, NH. Yet, it is a spectacular Summer and Fall destination as well. Loon offers gondola rides, scenic vistas, mountaintop trails, natural caves, mountain biking, zip lines, and more. Our young family loves a day trip on the the gondola and cave trail.

Loon Mountain Gondola website with prices

Google Map to Loon Mountain base

Summit Gondola:

Our family has enjoyed the summer gondola rides multiple times. The views are spectacular. Watch the weather and pick a clear day to visit. The gondola takes you to the summit of Loon Mountain, almost 3000 ft in elevation. On an off is easy even with small children or baby hiking packs, and the ride is about 15 minutes in duration.

Once at the top, enjoy the amazing views from the Summit Cafe and deck. Grab a bite and hit the restrooms before starting off to enjoy the mountaintop trails. There is an observation tower near the Summit Cafe as well. We brought a picnic lunch and enjoyed the views from a hillside spot.

Heading left from the gondola drop off, you will see a well traversed trail running along the top of the mountain. There is an amphitheater overlook where I have seen weddings take place on sunny summer days. There are other trails on the Summit as well with excellent views, but our family prefers the caves.

Glacial Caves

Soon after is a trail to your left heading to the glacial caves. These caves were formed by huge glacial Ice Age granite slabs. Admission to the caves is included with the gondola ticket price. The trail is steep with many staircases. Warning that going down isn’t too bad, but the way back is up, up, up! Along the way are small side branches where you can climb through the caves. The way through each cave is well marked.

Kids LOVE climbing through the tight cracks and tunnels formed by the granite. As you descend down, there are obstacles with varying levels of narrowness and subsequent claustrophobia! I went through a few of the easier caves. For others like me, there is always a way around each cave in the series. My husband went through the rest with the kids. Caves and ladders can be slippery during wet weather. I suggest an adult accompany younger kids at all times. At the end the trail loops back up the way it came. Spend more time hiking the summit, head back down on the gondola when you are ready,

After Adventure Eats:

Grabbing food after a day at Loon? There are many family friendly food options in Lincoln. Some take reservations or wait lists, some do not.

El Charro: We recently tried El Charro Mexican restaurant. We went on the earlier side for dinner and were seated quickly. It was convenient, family friendly, the kids liked their meals, and I enjoyed a margarita! El Charro

Gordi’s Fish & Steak House : A family friendly Lincoln institution. Gordi’s has been serving tourists and locals for almost 40 years. The interior is warm and cozy. There is interesting memorabilia on the walls. The menu is extensive and includes a kid’s menu and a gluten free menu. Outdoor dining on the porch is also pleasant. Consider calling ahead to check the wait time. Gordi’s Fish and Steak

Ice Cream Delights: Hershey’s ice cream is served at Ice Cream Delights is also right downtown. There is a frozen treat here for everyone. Ice Cream Delights

Tips:

Choose a clear day to take the best advantage of the views. This also reduces the chance of slippery conditions in the caves.

Hiking shoes or sneakers with good grip are a must for the caves.

Take advantage of the Summit Cafe restrooms.

Summit weather is often different from base camp, be prepared. bring a sweatshirt, hat, sunscreen, and water bottle. Our favorite baby sunhat here: Coolibar Toddler bucket hat (#ad)

Cuts and scrapes are not too uncommon when scurrying through the caves. Wear long pants and consider bringing a couple Band-Aids just in case. Pocket travel Band-Aids (#ad)

Consider bringing a small flashlight or glow sticks for fun in the caves! Glow sticks for the kids (#ad)

Loon offers downhill mountain biking on the slopes for experienced riders (adults and older children). They also offer rentals and lessons. Our kids aren’t quite ready for this but I’m looking forward to it in the future.

Loon has an adventure center at the base, including a zip line which is next on our list to try! (Note: riders must weigh at least 50 lb).

Consider combining this trip with other great White Mountain adventures. The towns of Lincoln and nearby Woodstock, NH are great home bases for exploring. There are many lodging options of all prices, restaurants, a grocery store, souvenir shopping options, and a movie theater. See my other blogs for more suggestions.

Always love hearing about your favorite White Mountain adventures, please email me at:

kit@astrayfish.com

Unless otherwise stated, all photos throughout this blog are my own and cannot be printed or distributed without my permission.