3. Kancamagus Scenic Highway to White Mountain Auto Road, New Hampshire
The Kancamagus Scenic Byway (NH Route 112) is about 26 miles and cuts through northern New Hampshire's beautiful White Mountain National Forest. The "Kanc" offers fantastic scenery, especially during peak fall foliage time. Photo courtesy of NHDTTD/Ellen Edersheim.
There aren't many places to pull off the Kanc (Kancamagus Scenic Byway) to get a vista shot with your motorcycle, so grab one when you can. Also good to know, you will need a recreation park pass if you park your motorcycle in the White Mountains National Park at one of the "fee" parking areas, which include many of the trailhead lots and day use facilities. The $3 fee helps cover costs to maintain the sites, and can be purchased online in advance or at the park entrance.
Heading east, when 112 ends, turn left onto Route 113 to ride through Conway, then head north (left) on Route 16. Just past Pinkham Notch, turn left onto Mount Washington Auto Road. This road ascends to the Mount Washington Observatory at 6,288 feet, which is the highest peak in the northeastern United States. The windy, steep, picturesque roadway is recommended for riders who can adapt to instant changes in the weather and are comfortable riding a mile-worth of gravel midway up the mountain. If you conquer this challenge, you can purchase a sticker at the observatory that reads "This motorcycle climbed Mt. Washington," available at stores in the area. The Auto Road costs $16 for a motorcycle and rider, and $8 for a passenger and is open from May to October, pending weather conditions.
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