If you visit New Hampshire for the scenery, there is a good chance the White Mountains will become the highlight of your trip. This rugged region in the northern half of the state contains high peaks, deep forests, waterfalls and some of New England’s best-known scenic roads.
You could pass through in a day, but I would not recommend it. The White Mountains reward slow travel.
Drive the Kancamagus Highway
The Kancamagus Highway is one of the classic drives through the region. The road crosses the White Mountain National Forest between Lincoln and Conway, with viewpoints, trailheads and places to stop along the way.
Autumn foliage makes the route particularly famous, but summer and early fall are excellent times for hiking and exploring as well.
Get out on the trails
The White Mountains contain everything from short woodland walks to serious mountain hikes. Do not judge a trail only by distance. Weather and terrain can make mountain hiking demanding, and conditions at higher elevations may be very different from those in the valleys.
Use the mountain towns
Places such as Lincoln and North Conway make useful bases, providing accommodation, restaurants and access to different parts of the region.
Come back in another season
The White Mountains change dramatically through the year. Summer brings hiking, autumn brings extraordinary foliage and winter transforms the region into a destination for skiing and other snow activities.
If I had to choose just one part of New Hampshire for a first-time visitor interested in nature, this is where I would spend the most time. The White Mountains are not simply one attraction – they are an entire road trip waiting to happen.
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