Basics
- Length:
- 65 miles (104 km)
Description
The route circumnavigates the northernmost section of the White Mountain National Forest (the Kilkenny District). This district is crammed with forests, parks, and lakes. For that reason, there is almost no end to recreational opportunities. When you're here, you can expect to see wildlife, enjoy first-rate fishing and boating,and have a terrific hike or camp out.
The route is unique because of its wood products heritage. This heritage is illustrated most incisively at the Northern Forest Heritage Park in Berlin which highlights the cultures that came here as a result of the burgeoning of the wood products industry in the 19th and early 20th century. The park includes a museum,logging camp, and a blacksmith shop. It hosts quite a few local and cultural events, and workshops.
The importance of the wood products industry is evidenced at other sites, like Wausau Paper Company and the Groveton Paperboard Company--both working mills.
Points of Interest
Points of Interest Along The Way
Mt. Washington Auto Road (NH)
This eight-mile road takes you to the northeast's highest peak,Mt. Washington--"the top of New England." This road, an unprecedented engineering achievement, is especially enjoyable because of its (literally) mile-high views of the Presidential Range and the White Mountain National Forest.
The road was built in 1861 and has remained virtually unchanged.It takes very little imagination, then, to conjure up images of horse-drawn wagons scaling this route.
More history can be found at the Historic Summit Stage Office,which was built in 1878. The Office sells souvenirs and hiking supplies, and features rare Mt. Washington memorabilia. A note of interest: the world's highest winds (231 mph) were recorded at this building in 1934.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy this route. One is to hike up it; and then if you're too tired, you can get a stage ride down(sign up at the sign up for a Historic Summit Stage Office.)Another option is a guided tour in a comfortable GMC van.
You can also certainly drive your own car so you can linger for as long as you want at any view. If you drive your own vehicle, you can rent a cassette audio tour. This tape shares classic tales ofthe road's history; it also points out interesting geological and geographical features.
There are also plenty of other things to do and see at the base of the mountain. The Sherman Adams State Park Building is there, as well as the Mount Washington Observatory Museum, and the fully-restored Tip Top House (ca. 1853).
Directions
From Gorham, take NH-16 south for approximately 6 miles. Mt. Washington Auto Road is on the west.
Santa's Village (NH)
Enjoy a full day of festivities stuffed with the magic of Christmas morning! The excitement of fun-filled shows, merry activities and rides galore offer a memorable time for all ages. Visit with Santa, feed his reindeer, and get your free good luck ring from the Village Smithy. Shows are also a popular activity as is decorating gingerbread men. And eating them isn't bad either.
Six Gun City (NH)
This affordable western-village waterpark provides fun for the whole family.
White Mountain National Forest (NH)
Cloaked with forests and laced with streams, the White Mountain rise in dramatic relief north of New Hampshire's central plateau. Among the ranges and ridges are the highest mountains in the Northeast, the Presidential Range, which culminate in the bare granite summit of 6,288-foot Mount Washington, Mounts Adams, Jefferson, Monroe and Madison also exceed 5,000 feet in elevation. Passes known as "notches" pierce the uplift; Crawford, Dixville, Franconia, Kinsman and Pinkham notches provide some of the better known scenic features in the state.
