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