There are a lot of ways to get active in New Hampshire. Hiking is one of the best and most popular, but we're oftentimes focused only on the destination. Mountain lakes, peaks and views are a great reason to lace up your boots, but there's also something to be said for the journey. That's why we love the things in New Hampshire that bring us to unexpected parts of the state's natural wonders. Flume Gorge in New Hampshire is one of the best ways to remember that the journey is just as important as the destination.

Flume Gorge was formed over 200 million years ago. The granite making up the walls was molten rock buried deep below the earth's surface. When it cooled, the granite was broken by fractures. Over time the gorge widened into what we see today.

The area extends for 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty.

The walls of the gorge rise over 90 feet high and in some places there's just a narrow 12 foot opening to pass.

Once you enter, you'll have access to the many boardwalks and trails leading throughout the area, including all the way down to the gorge bottom!

But you'll definitely want to visit the top where the 45-foot Avalanche Falls sends water cascading into the gorge.

The walkway throughout the area makes visiting accessible to anyone who can manage stairs.

The area was discovered by a 93-year-old woman out for a fishing trip!

If you choose to visit the Flume you can access the walkway or choose to do a two-mile loop through the surrounding forest. Remember that the Flume is accessible only through The Flume Visitors Center where you'll need to buy tickets.

Flume Gorge opens for the season in early to mid May and close in mid to late October. It's open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the exception of July through August when they stay open an extra half hour until 5:30 p.m. Entry is $16 for adults, $14 for kids aged 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and under. You can learn more here. Address: 852 Daniel Webster Highway, Franconia, NH 03251.

If you're excited to visit the Flume Gorge you might also like the idea of this gorge. There are lots of different areas to explore, including lots of fun caves!