Road	Length	High point
C.L. Graham Wangan OverlookStop A Forest Service–maintained roadside overlook on the eastern stretch of the Kancamagus Highway (NH-112) in Bartlett, just beyond Kancamagus Pass at roughly mile 20 from the Conway side. The overlook provides wide views of the Swift River Watershed and the mountains to the north and east, with a generous paved parking area that accommodates large groups of motorcycles. Maintained restrooms are available at the site. The overlook is one of the most visited scenic stops on the Kanc and is especially popular during fall foliage season.	—	—
Crawford Notch (US-302) Twin Mountain to North Conway via Bretton Woods, ~30 mi. Sweeping notch scenery past Mount Washington Hotel. Pairs perfectly with the Kanc via Bear Notch Road.	56 mi	—
Dixville Notch (NH-26) New Hampshire Route 26 carves through Dixville Notch in the far north of the state — a short, steep-walled granite gorge that separates Dixville Peak and Cave Mountain at the boundary of the Connecticut and Androscoggin River watersheds. The 31-mile corridor from Colebrook east to the Maine border passes through 127-acre Dixville Notch State Park, where the road cuts directly alongside towering cliffs above two mountain-brook waterfalls. The surrounding terrain is dense boreal forest with almost no development; riders encounter moose regularly, especially at dawn and dusk. This is the least-crowded notch in New Hampshire and the most remote, rewarding riders willing to make the northern detour with dramatic scenery and genuine wilderness character.	31 mi	—
Flume Gorge — Franconia NotchStop A natural granite gorge 800 feet long and up to 20 feet wide carved by the Flume Brook at the base of Mount Liberty in Franconia Notch State Park. The Flume Visitor Center at the park's southern end (just off I-93/US-3) sells tickets for the self-guided 2-mile loop that traverses the gorge via boardwalks and covered bridges. The park is open mid-May through late October; admission is charged. The visitor center has a café, restrooms, and a large paved parking area — one of the most substantial facilities in the White Mountains.	—	—
Franconia Notch Parkway (US-3) U.S. Route 3 through Franconia Notch is a 9-mile passage that required a special Act of Congress to build as a two-lane parkway rather than a standard Interstate — I-93 narrows to a single lane in each direction to preserve the notch's character. Flanked by 4,000-foot Cannon Mountain on the west and Mount Lafayette on the east, the road threads through Franconia Notch State Park past the Basin, Echo Lake, and the site of the former Old Man of the Mountain. The granite walls rise on both sides, creating a canyon effect unlike anything else on a US highway east of the Rockies. Northbound riders emerge into the broad Connecticut River valley; southbound riders enter gradually narrowing terrain until the cliffs close in.	114 mi	—
Hancock Overlook — Kancamagus HighwayStop Situated at mile 23.8 on the Kancamagus Highway (NH-112) near Lincoln, the Hancock Overlook delivers a sweeping southward view of the Osceola Mountains and the Pemigewasset Wilderness from an elevation of roughly 2,150 feet. A paved pull-off with space for several vehicles sits just past the notorious hairpin turn on the Lincoln side of Kancamagus Pass — riders who have just navigated the hairpin arrive at the overlook with adrenaline and a panoramic reward. The fall foliage views from this spot are among the most photographed in New Hampshire.	—	—
Kancamagus Highway (NH-112) Lincoln to Conway, ~34.5 mi. "The Kanc" — the most famous scenic ride in New England. Crosses 2,855-ft Kancamagus Pass, the iconic hairpin, Sabbaday Falls. No gas on the road itself.	51 mi	—
Lake Winnipesaukee Loop (NH-109) New Hampshire Route 109 forms the eastern arc of the 65-mile Lake Winnipesaukee circumnavigation loop, running from Center Sandwich south through Moultonborough, Tuftonboro, and Wolfeboro — the oldest summer resort town in the country. The road is winding and wooded throughout, with frequent glimpses of the lake's broad blue expanse through the trees. The full loop connects NH-109 with NH-11 (Alton to Gilford), NH-28, and NH-25, encircling New Hampshire's largest lake and largest concentration of motorcycle-week culture. Wolfeboro's downtown waterfront is a natural stop; Alton Bay and Weirs Beach anchor the southern and western ends of the loop.	23 mi	—
Lakes Region Back Road (NH-153) New Hampshire Route 153 runs 50 miles north-south along the NH-Maine border from Farmington to Conway, passing through quiet Carroll County towns and threading between a succession of secluded lakes — Lovell Lake, Crystal Lake, Purity Lake, and Conway Lake among them. Designated a Scenic and Cultural Byway north of Union, the curvy two-lane highway passes Eaton Center's white-steepled church and offers a forested alternative to the busier NH-16 corridor to the west. The road briefly crosses into Maine for two miles through Parsonsfield. Blind crests and tight-radius corners keep speeds honest; the lack of commercial development means the landscape stays intimate throughout.	27 mi	—
Mad River Valley (NH-49) New Hampshire Route 49 runs 11 miles from West Campton into Waterville Valley, climbing steadily through White Mountain National Forest alongside the Mad River. The road is a well-maintained, wide-shouldered two-lane with rolling sweepers — the ski resort at the terminus keeps the pavement in excellent condition. Pullouts along the way offer views of the river, which runs swiftly with snowmelt through spring. The road dead-ends at Waterville Valley's alpine village (restaurants, lodging), making it a natural out-and-back or a loop via Tripoli Road for adventure-capable bikes. Paired with I-93 south and NH-175 north, it forms a compact White Mountains sampler loop.	11 mi	—
Mt. Washington Auto Road — Base GateStop The only road to the summit of Mount Washington — at 6,288 feet, the highest peak in the Northeast — the 7.6-mile private toll road begins at 1,527 feet in Pinkham Notch and climbs at an average 11.6% grade to the summit. Motorcycles are welcome on the road, which is paved and marked by painted guide lines warning riders of the severe dropoffs. The summit offers a visitor center, the Sherman Adams building, and one of the most dramatic mountain-road experiences in the eastern United States. Check the website before riding — the upper road closes in weather. Season runs mid-May through late October.	—	—
NH-118 Warren to Lincoln New Hampshire Route 118 is a 37-mile secondary highway connecting Woodstock in the White Mountains to Canaan in the Upper Valley, passing through Warren, Wentworth, Rumney, and Dorchester. The road traverses the western fringe of the White Mountain National Forest in almost continuous curves — tight turns, S-bends, and undulating crests carry riders through dense forest with occasional mountain views. Traffic is sparse compared to the major White Mountain corridors, and the road's rural character means little in the way of services between endpoints. Sections have historically had pavement inconsistencies but rider reports indicate ongoing improvement. Best ridden as a connector adding character to a White Mountains loop rather than as a standalone out-and-back.	37 mi	—
Pinkham Notch (NH-16) New Hampshire Route 16 through Pinkham Notch is the primary north-south corridor through the heart of the White Mountains, running roughly 30 miles from Glen north to Gorham at an elevation high point of 2,032 feet. The notch — a glacially carved U-shaped valley — places riders between the Presidential Range on the west and the Carter-Moriah Range on the east. The road offers long, sweeping curves with frequent views of 4,000-foot peaks, and passes the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road, Wildcat Mountain ski area, and the Appalachian Mountain Club's Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. Traffic is lighter than the Kancamagus despite the proximity, and the combination of elevation gain, mountain scenery, and big-road geometry makes this one of the most satisfying stretches in the Northeast.	87 mi	—
Polly's Pancake ParlorStop A White Mountains institution since 1938, Polly's Pancake Parlor sits at 672 Route 117 in Sugar Hill — a small hilltop village with panoramic views of the Franconia Ridge and Cannon Mountain. The restaurant serves buckwheat, whole wheat, and cornmeal pancakes cooked on a wood-fired griddle, along with local maple syrup tapped from the surrounding property. The farmhouse setting, mountain backdrop, and breakfast-focused menu have made it a must-stop for generations of New England touring riders. Open seasonally; call ahead for current hours.	—	—
Sabbaday FallsStop One of the most accessible waterfalls in the White Mountains, Sabbaday Falls is reached via a 0.4-mile flat trail from a signed pull-off on the Kancamagus Highway (NH-112) in Albany. The falls drop through a narrow flume of carved granite into a circular plunge pool — the tight rock channel creates a mossy, dramatic scene even in low water. Parking area elevation is 1,343 feet; a picnic area and restrooms are at the trailhead. No fee. The falls have been a named stop on the Kanc since at least the 19th century.	—	—
White Mountain Harley-DavidsonStop Full-service Harley-Davidson dealership at 1275 White Mountain Highway (Route 16) in North Conway, at the southern gateway to the White Mountains and Pinkham Notch. Carries new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles, a full MotorClothes apparel floor, accessories, and a service department. Located directly on NH-16, the primary north-south corridor connecting the Kancamagus Highway with Mt. Washington and the rest of the White Mountain touring loop.	—	—

//Rallies & events

Rally

Rally · Every June, 9 days

Laconia Motorcycle Week

Laconia, NH, US

The oldest motorcycle rally in the world — nine days in New Hampshire's Lakes Region centered on Weirs Beach, running since 1916. The 103rd edition runs in June 2026.

NextJun 12–20, 2027

Scale~225,000–300,000 attendees in recent years (weirsbeach.com / Union Leader)

Official site ↗

By Switchback · Updated 2026-07-08

Best season

June through October

Helmet law

None for adults (18+)

Lane splitting

Not permitted

Signature terrain

White Mountain notches & passes

New Hampshire packs a remarkable range of riding into a small state: glacially carved notches, a toll road to the highest peak in the Northeast, a Lakes Region anchored by the oldest motorcycle rally in the world, and a far northern corner so thinly populated that moose outnumber the traffic. The White Mountains are the clear draw — the Kancamagus Highway, Crawford Notch, Franconia Notch Parkway, and Pinkham Notch form an interlocking system of corridors you can combine differently on successive days and never repeat yourself. Away from the mountains, NH-153 threads quietly between border lakes, the Lake Winnipesaukee loop connects waterfront towns, and NH-49 dead-ends at a ski-village turning point in the White Mountain National Forest. The state's 'Live Free or Die' attitude extends to the road: adults face no mandatory helmet law, but the terrain — steep grades, blind crests, surprise weather, and moose in the travel lane — argues for full gear regardless of what the statute says.

New Hampshire rewards riders who plan rather than those who just show up. The White Mountains are the gravitational center — but understanding how the major corridors connect is what turns a good trip into a great one.

How the Routes Fit Together

Think of the White Mountain roads as a loose grid you can stitch into loops. The Kancamagus Highway (NH-112) runs east-west between Lincoln and Conway. Pinkham Notch (NH-16) and Crawford Notch (US-302) run north-south, linked at the top by US-2 through Gorham. Bear Notch Road connects the Kanc to US-302 at Bartlett — a short, satisfying connector that makes a full notch loop possible in a single day. NH-49 up to Waterville Valley peels west off I-93 and adds a quieter mountain corridor if you want to avoid the Kanc's weekend crowds.

The Franconia Notch Parkway (US-3) and NH-118 fill the western side of that grid. NH-118 is rougher and less traveled — treat it as a connector with character, not a destination in itself.

Regional Considerations

North Country: NH-26 through Dixville Notch is a genuine detour — 90 minutes from the core White Mountains — but the boreal wilderness and near-zero traffic make it worth building a night in the area around. Moose encounters are common, especially at low light. Ride prepared.

Lakes Region: The Lake Winnipesaukee loop anchors a different kind of day: less elevation drama, more waterfront towns and cultural texture. Laconia Motorcycle Week in June makes the region a destination in its own right for nine days each year.

Backroads: NH-153 along the Maine border is genuinely underused — blind crests keep things honest, and the lake scenery is quiet and consistent.

Seasonal and Practical Notes

The Mt. Washington Auto Road season runs mid-spring through late October, but closes on short notice for weather. Check conditions before making it the anchor of your day.
Sand and salt residue on pavement can persist into May, particularly on shaded corners at elevation.
The Kancamagus carries no gas for its full 34.5 miles — fuel in Lincoln or Conway before you ride it.
Seasonal dirt roads like Tripoli Road and Jefferson Notch Road are closed in winter and can be gated or rough in early spring; verify conditions before planning an adventure-bike route around them.
Fall foliage peaks at higher elevations first, typically mid-to-late September, with valley floors following into October. Traffic on the Kanc on peak-foliage weekends can be heavy enough to affect fuel planning.

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// Frequently asked

No — New Hampshire has no mandatory helmet law for riders and passengers 18 and older, making it one of only three states in the country with no adult helmet requirement. Riders under 18 must wear DOT-approved protective headgear. Eye protection is required for all riders whose motorcycle lacks a windscreen. That said, the NH DOT notes that wearing a helmet is a proven measure to reduce the severity of injuries, and the state's mountain roads — with steep grades, variable weather, and wildlife crossings — make the case for full gear on practical grounds.

No. Riding between lanes of traffic or riding more than two abreast in a single lane is prohibited under New Hampshire law.

The road typically opens on weekends in mid-spring and shifts to daily operations around Memorial Day weekend, running through late October. The upper road closes whenever weather or road conditions warrant, and motorcycles specifically can be turned away during high winds or wet conditions — check the Auto Road's website or call before making the trip a centerpiece of your day.

Moose are the single most serious wildlife hazard, particularly at dawn and dusk on remote northern roads like NH-26 through Dixville Notch and around the Lake Winnipesaukee loop. Sand and road salt residue lingers on pavement well into spring. The Kancamagus Highway has no gas stations along its 34.5-mile length — plan fuel accordingly. On the Mt. Washington Auto Road, brake fade on the descent is a documented concern; the road itself advises stopping at pullouts if brakes feel soft. Weather at elevation can change rapidly, even in summer.

Peak color in the White Mountains typically arrives in late September to mid-October, varying by elevation and year. Higher elevations like Kancamagus Pass turn first; valley floors follow. Expect heavier traffic on weekends during peak foliage — weekday mornings ride noticeably quieter.

Yes. The New England Backcountry Discovery Route (NEBDR) passes through NH with significant mileage in White Mountain National Forest. Tripoli Road — roughly 13 miles of dirt connecting Waterville Valley to Lincoln — is a classic addition for adventure-capable bikes and is seasonal. Jefferson Notch Road is another well-known seasonal dirt route in the area. Both close in winter and may be rough or gated in early spring.

//Sources & references

Motorcycles — NH Department of Transportation ↗Motorcycle Rider Training Program — NH Division of Motor Vehicles ↗Hours and Dates of Operation — Mt. Washington Auto Road ↗FAQ — Mt. Washington Auto Road (motorcycles & weather closures) ↗Motorcycle Helmet Law — Citizens Count NH ↗