The Kancamagus Scenic Byway & the White Mountains Trail

Anywhere in New Hampshire is awesome during the fall foliage season. There are plenty of good places to see the leaves, but here are some insider tips on drives that are especially scenic.

Marti Mayne is the owner of Maynely Marketing and the media contact for BedandBreakfast.com, the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce and Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine. Her favorite fall foliage drive is the Kancamagus Scenic Byway & the White Mountains Trail.

"Take Route 112 off Route 16 in Conway and follow New Hampshire's only scenic by-way to Lincoln, NH, then through Franconia Notch onto Rt. 302 through Bretton Woods and back into Mt. Washington Valley. This is one of the only designated scenic by-way loops in the country. You'll travel over 33 miles through the White Mountain National Forest, past waterfalls, mountain brooks and hiking trails to Lincoln Keep a watchful eye out, as this is one of the best moose-watching locations!" she told me. "From there, continue through Franconia Notch to view the site of the former Old Man In The Mountains. You can visit the Old Man Museum and the New England Ski Museum and other attractions, then hop on 93 to Rt. 302 and travel south through Bretton Woods, stopping for a free tour of the Mt. Washington Hotel (at 10 am or 4 pm only). Continue through Crawford Notch back to Bartlett."

"The Kancamagus Highway is the only Scenic Byway Loop in the country, making it a wonderful route for those who want to end up where they started!"

I have to agree with Marti here. My husband and I drove the Kancamagus Highway one autumn, and the colors were eye-popping! This is a beautiful drive any time of year, so if you can't make it during the fall, you'll still enjoy the drive.

Another great way to see the fall color in New Hampshire is to climb aboard one of the area's scenic railroads. See Scenic Train Rides in Central New Hampshire or check below for other related articles.



Marti admits that there are many wonderful fall drives in the Mt. Washington Valley. For more ideas, see Mt. Washington Valley. Marti can be reached through www.maynelymarketing.com.