| Fall foliage scenic drives in New Hampshire | | | | Gondola to the summit for breathtaking views, |
| are bountiful covering Lake Winnipesaukee, | | | | and exploring the Glacial Caves, and the |
| Connecticut River and a bunch of trips | | | | summit observation tower. A favorite spot for |
| throughout the White Mountain region. But the | | | | hikes - Loon will bring out the pioneering |
| perennial favorite among lin-the-know ocals | | | | spirit in you. |
| and visitors alike remains the 34 miles | | | | |
| between Lincoln and Conway on Route 112. Read | | | | Continuing east on the two-lane highway |
| all about the stunning drive here. | | | | you'll enter the Pemigewasset wilderness |
| | | | region of the drive. Close to Hancock |
| Fall foliage scenic drives in New Hampshire | | | | Campground is the parking lot entrance to the |
| are bountiful covering Lake Winnipesaukee, | | | | Lincoln Woods Trail. This popular and easy |
| Connecticut River and a bunch of trips | | | | trail leads into the wilderness area and |
| throughout the White Mountain region. But the | | | | makes a great excursion to view the |
| perennial favorite among locals and visitors | | | | Pemigewasset River, and the wildlife that |
| alike remains the 34 miles between Lincoln | | | | inhabits the area. |
| and Conway on Route 112. | | | | |
| | | | As you head out to the Sandwich Range |
| You can drive it in just about an hour. But | | | | Wilderness Area the road offers interesting |
| you'd miss experiencing one of the most | | | | turns and views through the Kancamagus Pass. |
| colorful scenic drives in the entire | | | | You'll find plenty of scenic overlooks to |
| northeast - and some would say the U.S. for | | | | admire the mountain ranges, especially during |
| fall foliage. | | | | the vibrant fall foliage season. |
| | | | |
| Route 112, or as its better known the | | | | Another side excursion along this stretch of |
| Kancamagus Highway, is the only road that | | | | the road is the Greeley Ponds Scenic Area. |
| runs directly east and west through the heart | | | | Located about one mile from the highway and |
| of the White Mountain National Forest. This | | | | about 9 miles east of Lincoln this is a |
| is a dramatic road that shows off the | | | | beautiful place to have a picnic lunch, and |
| magnificence of one of New Hampshire's | | | | view the two ponds and towering cliffs. |
| best-loved scenic spots. From this road your | | | | |
| vistas include wilderness and the highest | | | | Continuing east you'll enter the Swift River |
| peaks in the presidential range. | | | | valley region. This area abounds in scenic |
| | | | stops, and hikes through the forest offering |
| During the summer and fall foliage months | | | | stunning views of the valley and mountains. |
| you're likely to have plenty of company on | | | | The hike offering the best views is the MT. |
| your drive. But if the weather is clear who | | | | Potash hike but at 4 miles requires an |
| cares if the going is a little slow - this | | | | unrushed few hours to appreciate fully. |
| isn't a drive to rush anyway. | | | | |
| | | | For a shorter and easier hike drive to the |
| You'll find plenty of pull-offs to admire the | | | | Rocky Gorge Scenic area and take The |
| views and take a bunch of photos if the | | | | Lovequist Loop Trail. This is about an hours |
| weather cooperates. Be warned though... the | | | | walk around Falls Pond and offers fishing and |
| White Mountains are notorious for generating | | | | a marvelous window into the beauty of the |
| their own weather, especially in the | | | | natural plants and vegetation of the region. |
| Presidential Range, where many of the peaks | | | | You'll cross the gorge formed by the Swift |
| are above timberline. Mount Washington is | | | | River over a rustic footbridge. |
| cloaked with cloud cover 53% of its days. | | | | |
| | | | Back in the car you'll drive a short distance |
| So what will you see? | | | | east to the Covered Bridge and the trailhead |
| | | | to the Boulder Loop Trail. If you've been |
| At the western end of this drive where | | | | saving your energy for only one hike then |
| Interstate 93 meets Route 112, lies Lincoln. | | | | this is it. At about 3 miles round trip it |
| The Lincoln, and close-by Cannon Mountain, | | | | can take you anywhere from 2-4 hours but |
| areas abound in gift and specialty shops, | | | | you'll get outstanding photo opportunities of |
| including Clark's Trading Post. A side trip | | | | MT. Chocorua and the Swift River Valley. The |
| takes you to The Flume a gorge carved during | | | | hike itself is mostly a gradual climb with |
| the glacial ages with a covered bridge and | | | | some step pitches. This is one of the more |
| walking trails as well. | | | | popular hikes during fall foliage season, and |
| | | | my recommended one. |
| Lincoln is your starting point on this fall | | | | |
| foliage scenic drive, and as you head east | | | | The last piece of the Kancamagus Highway fall |
| towards the Kancamagus Pass you'll be | | | | foliage scenic drive takes you to the eastern |
| climbing to 2,860 feet in the first 10 miles. | | | | end of the drive where Route 112 meets Route |
| | | | 16 in Conway and then on to North Conway. If |
| Just east of Lincoln you'll find Loon | | | | time allows cruise around North Conway where |
| Mountain, a ski resort by winter and a | | | | you'll find outlet centers and the North |
| playground in the summer and fall foliage | | | | Conway Scenic railroad. |
| months. Loon is another side trip to ride the | | | | |