While I would rate this beginner friendly, there is some elevation and there are a decent amount of stairs. The Flume Trail hike that takes you through the gorge and loops back around to the start is a 2.5 ish mile loop and typically takes about 1.5 hours with the crowds and photo stops.

You can walk over boardwalks through the gorge to see the walls of granite rise 70 to 90 feet above a narrow opening, about 12 to 20 feet apart. The Flume Gorge extends 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty. Spoiler: it was worth the crowds and the admission fee (that supports the park system) and it was popular for a reason. When we visited New Hampshire this past weekend in October, we had our infant and toddler and the opportunity to leave the dogs behind and decided to check out the gorge. We had yet to visit during the operating season as dogs aren't allowed and we almost always have the dogs, I knew it was a busy popular attraction, and with so many amazing hikes in The Whites, I didn't feel the need to pay an admission fee for a hike. We stopped by once in the winter on our way back from Santa's Village but the boardwalks are removed to a point and the entire loop impassable. While we've been to The White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire many times, this was our first time visiting the entirety of the Flume Gorge. I also remind myself there are ways to get around the busiest times and that usually involves weekdays and early mornings, something my flexible schedule and early risers typically allow. 'Popular places are popular for a reason'. When the crowds start to assemble and I have to use a bit more patience and a few more forced smiles I remind myself of this: There's a little saying that I have to repeat to myself as we head to some of the busier attractions that tend to be a bit more beginner (and in my case kid) friendly.

The flume gorge