Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SCENIC DRIVE: WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST
One of New England's finest, the 35-mile
Kancamagus Highway (NH 112)
is a beauty
of a road cutting through the White Mountain National Forest (
Click here
) between
Conway and Lincoln. Laced with excellent hiking trails, scenic lookouts and swim-
mable streams, this is as natural as it gets. There's absolutely no development
along the entire highway, which reaches its highest point at
Kancamagus Pass
(2868ft).
You can pick up brochures and hiking maps at the
Saco Ranger District Office
(
603-447-5448; 33 Kancamagus Hwy;
8am-4:30pm)
at the eastern end of the highway near
Conway.
Coming from Conway, 6.5 miles west of the Saco ranger station, you'll see
Lower
Falls
on the north side of the road - stop here for the view and a swim. No trip
along this highway is complete without taking the 20-minute hike to the breathtak-
ing cascade of
Sabbaday Falls
; the trail begins at Mile 15 on the south side of the
road. The best place to spot moose is along the shores of
Lily Pond
; stop at the
roadside overview at Mile 18. At the Lincoln Woods ranger station, which is near the
Mile 29 marker, cross the suspension footbridge over the river and hike 3 miles to
Franconia Falls
, the finest swimming hole in the entire national forest, complete
with a natural rock slide. Parking anywhere along the highway costs $3 per day
(honor system) or $5 per week; just fill out an envelope at any of the parking areas.
The White Mountain National Forest is ideal for campers, and you'll find several
campgrounds run by the forest service, accessible from the Kancamagus Hwy.
Most are on a first-come, first-served basis; pick up a list at the Saco ranger sta-
tion.
Mt Washington Valley
Stretching north from the eastern terminus of the Kancamagus Hwy (
Click here
)
, Mt
Washington Valley includes the towns of Conway, North Conway, Intervale, Glen, Jack-
son and Bartlett. Every conceivable outdoor activity is available. The area's hub and
biggest town, North Conway, is also a center for outlet shopping, including some earthy
stores including LL Bean.
Activities
Conway Scenic Railroad
TRAIN
