A flume is a deep and narrow chute that is used to divert water such as streams, transport logs down steep mountains, or at one time power mills. When this occurs naturally it is often referred to as a gorge. Instead of the deep chasm being formed with wooden planks they are formed with rock walls. This particular Flume is naturally occurring but was used as a log transport and power resource. It is called The Flume because those that found it were used to seeing the artificial flumes and thus referred to this natural wonder by the name they were familiar with.

The Flume has a boardwalk path from which visitors can view the gorge. In this area are also some gorgeous waterfalls, vistas and even a covered bridge. Please be aware that the boardwalk is taken down for the winter and put back up each spring. This is because the walls can be up to two feet thick and when the spring thaw comes anything in its path is washed away.

What is a FLUME? - click to enlarge view

Some attractions in Franconia Notch State Park includes:

Cannon Mountain Ski Area

Cannon Aerial Tramway

Old Man of the Mountain

New Hampshire State Parks by Region
Great North Woods NH State Parks Berlin, Colebrook, Errol, No. Stratford, Lancaster, Pittsburg
White Mountains Region State Parks North Conway, Lincoln, Littleton, Franconia, Gorham
The Lakes Region NH State Parks Laconia, Rochester, Plymouth, Ossipee, Meredith, Ashland, Bristol
Dartmouth / Lake Sunapee Region NH State Parks Lebanon, Hanover, Claremont, Newport
Monadnock Region NH State Parks Keene, Peterborough, Hillsborough, Winchester
Merrimack Valley Region State Parks Manchester, Concord, Nashua, Salem, Derry
Seacoast Region NH State Parks Portsmouth, Dover, Durham, Hampton, Exeter