Any New England guide book worth its salt will mention the Kancamagus Highway - Route 112 - from Lincoln to Conway as one of the best fall foliage scenic drives to take in New Hampshire.

While I wouldn’t argue with that assessment it does mean because of its popularity you have to share the road with thousands of other people on an autumn weekend, and deal with the congestion at the scenic stopping points.

Besides, if you’ve done the route before it’s always nice to find an alternative scenic drive, and so on your next fall foliage drive in the White Mountains try this route for a change but still see spectacular color and views.

The drive I’m discussing here is a section of the famous 100-mile White Mountains scenic loop that takes you from Jackson across to Lincoln by way of Route 302 and through the Mount Washington Valley. And you’ll be pleased to know there’s still plenty of stopping places for waterfalls and short hikes to classic foliage vistas.

There’s a lot to see on this drive and while the views and color are front and center allow a few extra hours to take in some of the attractions along the route.

The route starts out in the picturesque mountain village of Jackson and heads south on Route 16 until the intersection with Route 302. Take Route 302 west and this will be your track for the next 30-miles.

Route 302 takes you through Crawford Notch State Park and a stop at the visitor center known as Willey House will provide information on trails and scenic pull-offs as you travel through the park, and a good dose of the history of the area. This land was purchased in early 20^th century to protect against the logging that was stripping the mountains of the virgin forests.

Shortly after exiting the park on your right will be the entrance to the cog railway on Mount Clinton Road leading to the Marshfield Station. The Mount Washington Cog Railway remains a popular way of experiencing the highest summit in the northeast.

If you intend to do this plan ahead and purchase tickets at the cog railway web site here.

The next part of the drive on Route 302 takes you past the more man-made wonders of Bretton Woods ski area and the Mount Washington Hotel and Resort. The Mount Washington Hotel is one of the few remaining resorts built during the heyday of the grand hotel experience back in early 1900’s and it’s still welcoming guests during all four seasons. More views and information on this historic landmark can be found here.

Back on Route 302 and another few miles further west you’ll come to Zealand Road on your left. 3 miles down this road are some wonderful family hiking trails which offer not only amazing color in the fall but are less crowded. More information these and other fall foliage hiking trails in New Hampshire is here.

At the village of Twin Mountain Route 302 intersects with Route 3, and you’ll follow Route 3 south to join I-93. This part of I-93 is designated a National Scenic Byway and as you pass into Franconia Notch State Park you’ll understand why.

Stops along the way include Echo Lake if you haven’t had your picnic yet, and Cannon Mountain to take the Aerial Tramway ride to the 4,180-foot summit - this is a popular trip in autumn so be prepared for a line.

If the weather cooperates the summit offers one of the best views in the state anytime of year and is a destination my family always squeezes in when we visit.

And we’re not quite finished yet.

The drive along the section of Route 93 down to Lincoln makes it difficult to keep your eyes on the road. There are plenty of outstanding photo shoot opportunities just off the highway and so look for the signs to these vistas if you want to try and capture the moment. Sometimes I just pull over and gaze and regret not taking one of those photo classes that teaches you how to capture landscape views that sparkle and jump out of the page. Afraid none of my photos capture the view I saw. You can find tips on fall foliage picture-taking here.

Just one exit south of the Cannon Mountain exit on Route I93 you’ll find the Flume Gorge - exit 34A. You’re still in Franconia Notch State Park but at the base of Mount Liberty. The Flume Gorge in autumn is definitely a side trip worth taking. A geological wonder you’ll also get to see a great specimen of a covered bridge, take in some easy walking trails, and of course experience the marvelous gorge itself. More about the Flume Gorge can be found here.

This particular scenic drive ends at Lincoln just south of Flume Gorge where Route 112 intersects with I93 - this is the Kancamagus Highway. Lincoln hosts Clark Trading Post and the White Mountain Visitor Center both worth checking out for entertainment and information value.

Now I realize if you experienced everything I’ve mentioned it’s a lot more than a leisurely few hours’ drive - maybe even a whole weekend - but this area of the White Mountains is justly popular. It’s an eye-popping scenic ride anytime of the year, but in the fall… it’s memorable.

You can discover a lot of additional interesting things to see and do and places to stay in New Hampshire at our special New Hampshire Vacations and destinations page here.

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
http://www.CompleteNewEngland.com

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below…