The Kinsman Ridge Trail is a 16.9-mile jaunt from Kinsman Notch to the Franconia Notch Parkway. It is part of the Appalachian Trail (to Kinsman Junction).

The Kinsman Ridge Trail leaves Kinsman Notch at a steep rise, alternates up and down over a generally moderate grade, and climbs steadily at moderate grade up Mt. Wolf. A short side path offers a southerly view. Here a gentle grade descends slightly to the Reel Brook Trail, passes under a powerline, and offers a view of Bog Pond. There is a side trail to Eliza Brook Shelter (no fee). A moderate grade continues past Harrington Pond, with a very steep climb to South Kinsman Mountain and somewhat easier trek to North Kinsman. There are panoramic views from the summits of North and South Kinsman.

The trail descends North Kinsman, past the Mt. Kinsman Trail, to Kinsman Junction. The Fishin' Jimmy Trail takes off here and descends to the Flume at the south end of Franconia Notch. Another short side trail leads to Kinsman Pond Shelter. Tent platforms and an Adirondack-type shelter are available (fee charged).

The Kinsman Ridge Trail continues north, up and down three times over the Cannon Balls, and then climbs very steeply to the Fire Tower and Cannon Mountain summit. The trail leaves the National Forest at this point and enters Franconia Notch State Park. The last 2-mile stretch descends steeply to the tramway parking lot.

Between 1899 and 1914, Kinsman Notch rang with the sound of the timberman's axe. The Fall Mountain Paper Company had a large logging camp between Beaver Pond and what is now the hiker parking lot. The spruce and fir logs cut from the mountains in the winter were stockpiled along the wild Ammonoosuc River until the spring log drive. There were four main driving dams along the river. A head of water was built up behind each dam. As the water was released, logs were driven to the next dam. Log drivers found it a chilly and perilous task, and some lost their lives. Eventually the logs made their way down to the Connecticut River to the pulp mill in Bellows Falls, VT. The last log drive on the wild Ammonoosuc River was in 1911.

Access: From I-93 North, Exit 32 (Lincoln), follow Rte. 112 west for 6.8 miles to the height of land. Trailhead is on the left. From I-93 South, Exit 38 (Franconia), take Rte. 116 approximately 11 miles to the Intersection of Rte. 112. Turn left (east) on Rte. 112 for 4.9 miles to the height of land. The trailhead is just beyond Beaver Pond on the right.