The 102-mile White Mountains Trail is among New England's most scenic drives. In 1998 the Trail was designated a National Scenic and Cultural Byway, the only highway in northern New England to have received this prestigious distinction.

The Trail is a loop, encompassing

• the Kancamagus Highway (also a National Scenic Byway) which runs for 34 1/2 miles from Conway to Lincoln;
• Route 3 north from Lincoln to
• I-93/Franconia Notch Parkway, a stretch that includes Franconia Notch State Park and the Flume Gorge Visitors Center. The Trail then turns east on
• Route 3 to Twin Mountain to
• Route 302 east past the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, through Crawford Notch to Glen, where it joins
• Route 16 south through North Conway and Conway, where it joins the Kancamagus Highway, completing the loop.

Along the way is varying topography, mountain and river views, a variety of vegetation ares from ledge to wetland and woodland, 18th and 19th century buildings and historic sites, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the eastern United States.

Here is the itinerary in detail...

This route may be started or ended in several towns along the way, and a variety of attractions can be interchanged along the way. It easily can be enjoyed in a day of scenic touring, though not all attractions can be enjoyed in the same day.

Starting in Conway, travel West to Lincoln on Route 112, which is the Kancamagus Highway, a Federally-designated "scenic byway" in its own right. Allow time for several photo stops along the way (1 - 2 hours). Loon Mountain in Lincoln offers an enclosed, 4-person Skyride to its summit. Nearby North Woodstock Village offers numerous restaurant choices along its tiny Main Street for group lunches or "on own" meal requests.

From Lincoln, travel North on I-93, which becomes the Franconia Notch Parkway through Franconia Notch State Park. Start your tour of the Notch with a stop at Flume Gorge. The Visitors Center there offers a free, 15-minute movie, which is a nice introduction to the history of the region, and depending on time restraints and walking ability, the Gorge itself provides two touring options (1/2 -2 hours). Next, ride the 80-passenger aerial tramway to the summit of Cannon Mountain, where a short walking trail along the rim offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains (1/2 - 2 hours).

Continue on I-93 to Exit 35, traveling Route 3 to Twin Mountain, then East on Route 302 to Bretton Woods. Stop for a photo of Mt. Washington, the Northeast's highest peak at 6288', rising majestically behind the Mount Washington Hotel, one of New England's last remaining grand hotels. Lunch options here include the Hotel and its "grand" buffet. A hearty meal at the base station of the Mt. Washington Cog Railway is another option followed by a ride up Mt. Washington on the Cog (3 - 4 hours).

Travel East on Route 302, through Crawford Notch to Bartlett, for some of the State's most rugged scenery. At the junction of Routes 302 and 16 in Glen, NH, you may want to venture off the White Mountain Trail for a short detour to Jackson, a quintessential New England Village, complete with its own covered bridge, one of the most photographed in New England. NOTE: Consider a breathtaking start to the day with a guided tour to the "top of New England," up the Mt. Washington Auto Road, just North of Jackson (1.5 - 2 hours).

Complete the White Mountain Trail by rejoining Route 16 in Glen, then traveling into North Conway Village. Board the Conway Scenic Railroad for rides of varying duration through pretty Mt. Washington Valley scenery (1 - 1.5 hours), or take the spectacular Crawford Notch Line (6 hours). Make sure to allow time for shopping in North Conway (there's no sales tax in New Hampshire), which is known for its many brand name outlet stores and quality New England crafts.

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