Take a drive through a landscape unspoiled by over-development when you travel the White Mountain Trail of New Hampshire. Enjoy the uninterrupted mountain and river views, wetlands, and woodlands that captured the imagination of writer Nathaniel Hawthorne and inspired landscape artist Thomas Cole. Despite the passage of time since the days of Cole and Hawthorne, this New England rural area remains beautiful.
Take time to discover the history of the byway. Parts of it have been used for centuries, as attested by the charming 18th and 19th Century buildings you will see along the way. The railroad also helped to shape this area and made possible the lumber industry which spurred the development of many towns in the region, such as Bartlett, Conway Village, and North Conway. Be sure not to miss the amazing Frankenstein Trestle, which supports railroad tracks below the cliff in Crawford Notch and still makes observers gasp.
Towards the beginning of the 20th Century, the creation of the National Forests coincided with the dawning of the automobile age, assuring Americans an opportunity to vacation a world away from the "citied world," yet within driving distance of the great Eastern cities. Since then, recreational pursuits enjoyed here have grown from hiking, fishing, and sightseeing to include downhill and cross-country skiing, camping, mountain biking, leaf-peeping, and antique hunting. You can also enjoy just about anything "outdoorsy" under these towering granite cliffs and soaring mountains.
Embark on a Skiing Adventure among the White Mountains
Hiking "The Whites"
The Appalachian Trail