Staff Pick

Road Trip White Mountains – Kancamagus Highway & Mount Washington

North Conway Lincoln
55
km
1h30
drive
Fall
season

The Itinerary

Kancamagus Highway — "The Kanc" — is America's shortest National Scenic Byway, 55 km through White Mountain National Forest between Conway and Lincoln, New Hampshire. No services, no gas, no businesses: just nature, peaks and rivers.

East, North Conway is the base town with outdoor outlets (LL Bean, North Face). Along the route, Albany Covered Bridge, Lower Falls, Rocky Gorge, Sabbaday Falls and Pemigewasset Overlook are mandatory photo stops. Fall is world-celebrated here: peak foliage early October, traffic guaranteed.

North of the Kanc, Mount Washington Auto Road (12 km at 22%) climbs to Mount Washington summit (1,917 m) — home to the worst weather in the U.S. (the world wind record of 372 km/h in 1934 still stands). The 1869 Cog Railway steam train is the historic alternative. Hampton Beach and Portsmouth round out an optional coastal extension.

Points of Interest

  • ✦
    Kancamagus Highway
    55 km scenic byway, legendary fall colors, no services.
  • ✦
    Mount Washington
    1,917 m, worst US weather, Auto Road or Cog Railway.
  • ✦
    Sabbaday Falls
    Tiered waterfall in a narrow gorge, easy trail.
  • ✦
    Albany Covered Bridge
    Historic covered bridge over the Swift River.
Practical info
  • Departure North Conway
  • Destination Lincoln
  • Distance 55 km
  • Duration 1h30
  • Category Short (< 100 km)
  • Best season Fall
Themes
Fall mountain scenic-drive appalachians Fall Foliage new-hampshire train Hiking

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