On this 3-day White Mountains road trip itinerary you’ll truly drive some of the most scenic roads and experience my favorite New Hampshire vistas. While there are some hikes that require decent mobility, there are many stops that can be done by all ages and skill levels.
We started our New England road trip along Maine’s picturesque coastline before heading inland to the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire. Here my priorities were hiking, waterfalls, and covered bridges along with some different forms of transportation.
Where Are the White Mountains?
As part of the northern Appalachian Mountains, the White Mountains cover 25% of New Hampshire and a small section of western Maine. Within it lies Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeastern U.S. The only national forest in New Hampshire, White Mountain National Forest, grows in the mountain range as well.
What is a Notch?
The route between mountains is called different things depending on where you are. Notch is common in the northeast, gap is more common in the southern U.S., and saddle or pass are used in the west.
Day 1: Pinkham Notch State Park, Jackson, and Crawford Notch State Park
Pinkham Notch State Park
Pinkham Notch separates the Presidential Mountain Range from the Wildcat Mountain Range. Mount Washington forms most of the notch’s western wall.
Crystal Cascade has a combined 100-foot drop – the upper 70-foot section, a shallow pool, and the 30-foot lower section. The trail to Crystal Cascades starts at the AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center off Route 16. This area is very popular with thru-hikers as it is part of the Appalachian Trail.
Glen Ellis Falls is a 64-foot slanted waterfall. The Glen Ellis Scenic Area is off Route 16. The hike is short (0.3 miles) and not difficult; however, there are multiple steps and staircases to navigate. Follow the path through a tunnel under the highway. If you are looking for a longer hike, the Wildcat Ridge Trail also connects to this trailhead.
Looking to get in the water? Sunbathe, kayak, or swim at Echo Lake.
Jackson
Jackson Falls is a roadside, multi-cascade waterfall along Carter Notch Road/Route 16B. Free 2-hour parking is available at two pull-offs on the road. Wildcat River drops a combined 100 feet through the cascades and plunges.
Honeymoon Covered Bridge, also called Jackson Covered bridge, crosses Ellis River. It got its “honeymoon” nickname from the tradition of people kissing under it for good luck. Parking is available just before the bridge along Main Street/Route 16A, near Flossie’s General Store.
Crawford Notch State Park
Flume Cascade and Silver Cascade are roadside waterfalls. Silver Cascade Brook drops hundreds of feet down the side of Mount Jackson toward Route 302. You can see about 250 feet from the road although it extends much higher up the hillside.
If you are looking for a longer hike, you can trek to the summit of Mount Jackson or Mount Webster on the Webster-Jackson Trail. You can hit both on a 6.5-mile loop using the Webster Cliff Trail to connect them. The trailhead is less than half a mile from Silver Cascade.
Where to stay: Conway, New Hampshire
Day 2: Conway Railroad and Kancamagus Highway
Conway Scenic Railroad
We took an hour-long Conway Valley Excursion tour between North Conway and Conway. This Valley train is recommended for families with small children because it is the shortest route on the Conway Scenic Railroad. We reserved the 9:15 a.m. excursion so that we would have most of the day free to explore the area.
Our train car was the Dorthea Mae. We entered and took the stairs up to the dome. The dome offers passengers elevated and panoramic views because the walls and top are all glass.
There are longer tours through the Mount Washington Valley and over Crawford Notch, seasonal ones for fall foliage, and Santa’s Holiday Express.
Kancamagus Highway
After a scenic railroad trip, drive the Kancamagus Scenic Byway (NH Route 112). Nicknamed ‘The Kanc,’ this 34.5-mile highway offers scenic stops in the White Mountain National Forest from Conway to Lincoln. It is known for some of the best fall foliage and has been designated as an American Scenic Byway.
It is free to drive on the highway, but some stops have a $5 daily fee. If you have an America the Beautiful pass, you can use it instead of the fee.
Albany Covered Bridge, also called the White Mountain National Forest Bridge, crosses the Swift River. It is 120 feet long with a clear span of 100 feet.
Lower Falls is a series of cascades on the Swift River. Your views start just feet from the large parking lot. If you are careful, you can step onto the nearby boulders to get a closer look. In the summer, when the current is calmer and the water is warmer, you can see people swimming and sunbathing.
Rocky Gorge Scenic Area has water flowing through a narrow gorge carved by glaciers. It’s a 10-foot drop into a chute made by the gorge. The main path takes you to a foot bridge across the river.
Sabbaday Falls is a 45-foot total drop over its multiple cascades. From the parking lot, take the short 0.3-mile hike through the forest. A spur path to the left will bring you to the base of the falls. Take the stone steps up to the elevated gravel walkway next to the falls. The walkway follows the flow of the gorge with several small stair climbs and a bridge over the gorge near the upper basin.
Sugar Hill Overlook offers views of the surrounding mountains like Mount Tremont, Owl Cliff, Bear Mountain, and Sugar Hill, among others.
C.L. Graham Wangan Overlook has vistas of the Swift River Watershed and the mountains to the north and east.
Hancock Overlook is famous for its location on a hairpin turn. Here you get views of the Osceola Range and slide scars.
Where to stay: Lincoln, New Hampshire
Day 3: Franconia Notch State Park and Cannon Mountain
Franconia Notch State Park
This state park is along I-93 which winds through White Mountain National Forest.
Flume Gorge is a natural gorge extending 800 feet from the base of Mt. Liberty. Conway granite walls, 70 to 90 feet tall and 12 to 20 feet apart, line the gorge. In addition to the gorge, you’ll see glacial boulders, two covered bridges (Flume Covered Bridge and Sentinel Pine Bridge), three waterfalls (Avalanche Falls, Liberty Cascade, and Table Rock), and small caves.
Tickets are required. You can save a few dollars by reserving online. The gorge’s Flume Trail is a 2-mile loop. It is a moderate walk due to the multitude of stairs and some uphill climbs. This is a very popular attraction, so to avoid crowds plan to arrive early or book during the late afternoon.
The Basin has a 30-foot-wide, 15-foot-deep granite pothole at its base. Pemi Trail is short and relatively easy. For those with mobility issues, there is a universally accessible paved path to view The Basin from above as well.
From The Basin, you can quickly jump on the Basin-Cascade Trail to view more large cascades and a handful of additional waterfalls like Cascade Brook Falls and Kinsman Falls.
Unlike The Flume, The Basin area is free to visit. The Basin is perfect for families and anyone looking for an easy to see waterfall. Additional waterfalls on Cascade Brook are great for hikers looking for longer trails.
Cannon Mountain
This aerial tram ascends over 2,000 feet and carries visitors to the top of the mountain in under 10 minutes. At the upper platform you’ll find an observation deck, cafeteria, restrooms, and walking paths. In the winter, Cannon Mountain is a favorite for skiers; in fact, the New England Ski Museum is near the tramway base.
From the tram platform, you can take the Rim Trail on a 0.3-mile walk to the observation deck for views of the surrounding White Mountains. On a clear day, I’ve heard you can see New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Canada, and New York! The Franconia Range to your left is made up of Mount Lafayette. Mount Lincoln, Little Haystack Mountain, and Mount Liberty.
Where to stay: Franconia, New Hampshire
If You Have More Time
Check out Mount Washington up close if you have an extra day or two. You can hike on the mountain, drive the Mt. Washington Auto Road, or ride on the Mount Washington Cog Railway.
Camp at one of the dozens of campgrounds at state parks in the White Mountains.