Where the Peaks Have Presidential Names and the Colors Need No Filter

The White Mountain Trail crosses the roof of New England through 800,000 acres of national forest, linking two dramatic mountain notches with the highest peak in the northeastern United States. From Franconia Notch, where granite walls rise on either side of the parkway, the route turns east onto the Kancamagus Highway, a 34.5-mile National Scenic Byway that climbs to nearly 2,900 feet without passing a single gas station or restaurant. In autumn, this stretch becomes one of the most intensely colorful roads in America, corkscrewing past birches and maples that blaze against an evergreen backdrop of spruce and hemlock. At Conway, the drive turns north on Route 16 through the postcard village of Jackson and into Pinkham Notch, where the Mt. Washington Auto Road spirals 7.6 miles to the 6,288-foot summit of a peak so notorious for extreme weather that Himalayan climbers use it for survival training. The return through Crawford Notch, past the Cog Railway and the grand Omni Mount Washington Resort, closes the loop. This is the landscape that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne and Robert Frost, and 48 summits above 4,000 feet ensure the mountains are never out of view.

Key Stops

Franconia Notch State Park A dramatic mountain pass carved between the Kinsman and Franconia ranges, anchoring the western end of the drive. Echo Lake sparkles at 1,931 feet beneath Cannon Mountain, and The Basin is a natural granite pothole scoured smooth by centuries of cascading water. Profile Lake preserves the memory of the Old Man of the Mountain, a rock formation that was the state emblem until it collapsed in 2003; steel profile markers now recreate the silhouette from a designated viewing platform. Note: the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway is retired as of October 2025 and not operating while a third-generation tram is designed.

Flume Gorge An 800-foot-long natural chasm with granite walls rising 70 to 90 feet on each side, threaded by boardwalks and a cascading brook. The self-guided 2-mile walk (roughly 1.5 hours) passes Avalanche Falls, a covered bridge, and Liberty Gorge. Timed-entry reservations are now required; walk-up availability is not guaranteed. Entry is $18 per adult online, $21 at the window. Open May through October.

Kancamagus Highway (NH-112) Named for a Penacook chief, "the Kanc" is the scenic heart of the drive: 34.5 miles climbing to Kancamagus Pass at 2,855 feet, then descending through the Swift River valley. There are no services along the entire length, so fuel up in Lincoln. Key pulloffs include the Hancock and Pemi Overlooks for panoramic views of the Osceola Range and Pemigewasset Wilderness, and Lower Falls, a popular swimming hole in summer. A White Mountain National Forest parking pass ($5/day or $30/annual) or America the Beautiful Pass ($80/annual) is required at trailheads and day-use areas.

Sabbaday Falls A three-tiered cascade reached by an easy 0.6-mile round-trip trail from the Kancamagus Highway. The falls plunge through a narrow flume carved in granite. A fine picnic stop roughly halfway along the Kanc.

Rocky Gorge Scenic Area The Swift River has sculpted a medley of clefts, caves, and ledges here, crossed by a footbridge with views into the gorge. A short loop trail leads to the quiet Falls Pond nearby.

North Conway and Conway The gateway towns on the eastern end of the Kancamagus, with classic New England charm, covered bridges, and swimming holes. North Conway offers the Conway Scenic Railroad for a slower-paced tour of the valley, plus a celebrated view of Mt. Washington from the main street. The stretch between the two towns is lined with outlet stores and can be congested on weekends.

Jackson A quintessential New England village entered through a red covered bridge, one of the most photographed in the region. Country inns, farm-to-table restaurants, and in winter a 95-mile cross-country ski network. The covered bridge hosts a community dance each summer.

Pinkham Notch and Glen Ellis Falls The Appalachian Mountain Club's Pinkham Notch Visitor Center is the hub for trail information, weather forecasts, and supplies. A short trail from Route 16 leads through a pedestrian tunnel to Glen Ellis Falls, a 64-foot cascade crashing into a churning pool. Free access (WMNF parking pass may be required).

Mt. Washington Auto Road America's oldest man-made tourist attraction, opened in 1861 and still family-owned. The 7.6-mile toll road gains over 4,000 feet of elevation to the 6,288-foot summit of Mt. Washington, where the second-highest wind gust ever recorded on land was clocked at 231 mph. The summit holds the Sherman Adams Building with the Mount Washington Observatory Museum, weather exhibits, and a cafeteria. Self-drive is $36 per adult, $15 ages 4 to 12. Open mid-May through late October, weather permitting. Vehicles must have low-gear capability for the descent; RVs, trailers, and motorhomes are prohibited. Guided tours and a hiker shuttle are also available. EVs (Tesla and Polestar confirmed) can descend safely on regenerative braking; charging is available at the Base Lodge.

Crawford Notch and the Cog Railway The return leg passes through Crawford Notch State Park, where Route 302 follows the Saco River between steep mountain walls. The Mt. Washington Cog Railway, based at Bretton Woods, climbs to the summit on a steep rack railway using biodiesel and historic coal-fired steam locomotives. The round trip takes approximately three hours including a one-hour summit layover. Nearby, the Omni Mount Washington Resort has been a landmark of White Mountain hospitality since 1902.

Driving Tips

• Drive the loop counterclockwise (Franconia Notch to Kancamagus to Route 16 north) to save the Mt. Washington Auto Road and Crawford Notch for the second half.
• The Kancamagus Highway has no gas stations, restaurants, or cell service for its full 34.5 miles. Fuel up in Lincoln or Conway, download offline maps, and carry water and snacks.
• A White Mountain National Forest Recreation Pass ($5/day, $30/annual) is required at most trailheads and day-use parking areas. The America the Beautiful Interagency Pass ($80/annual) is also accepted.
• Moose are a genuine and serious hazard, especially on the Kancamagus Highway and Route 16 north of Jackson. They are most active at dawn and dusk, stand taller than headlights, and their dark coats do not reflect light. Brake firmly if you see one; do not swerve.
• Fall foliage peaks at higher elevations (late September to early October) and works its way down to the valleys (mid-October). Peak weekends on the Kanc draw enormous traffic; start early or visit midweek.
• The Mt. Washington Auto Road requires vehicles in good mechanical condition with low-gear capability. If you are uncertain, take a guided van tour instead.
• Cell coverage is reliable in towns (Lincoln, Conway, North Conway, Jackson, Gorham) but drops to nothing through the notches and along the Kancamagus. Do not rely solely on phone navigation.
• Book Flume Gorge timed-entry tickets online in advance ($3 cheaper per ticket and availability is not guaranteed at the door).
• For more information visit: Visit White Mountains