White Mountain Trail
White Mountains Trail Tour

Departure: North Woodstock
Destination: Conway, New Hampshire
Time to allow: 4 days

The White Mountains Trail begins at North Woodstock, New Hampshire. The following tour lists points of interest that will provide hours and hours of excitement and exploration. If you are feeling extra adventurous, complete the loop by taking the Kancamagus Highway, also a National Scenic Byway.

Day 1

  • Start: North Woodstock

    Your journey along the White Mountains Trail begins at here, in North Woodstock.

  • Stop 1: Clark's Trading Post

    From previous stop: 2 minutes / 1.1 mi (1.8 km)
    Directions:

    Leaving North Woodstock, take SR-112 (Lost River Road) east for 0.1 mile. Turn left onto US-3 (Daniel Webster Hwy) and drive for 1.0 mile until you arrive at the post.
    Suggested time at this stop: 3 hours

    One of the White Mountains' most outstanding attractions: the Clark family has personally entertained their summer visitors for over 70 years. Features include a fire station, steam locomotive, trained North American black bears, and a museum.

  • Stop 2: Whale's Tale Water Park

    From previous stop: 8 minutes / 4 mi (6.4 km)
    Directions:

    Take US-3 north for about 4 miles until you come to the water park.
    Suggested time at this stop: 5 hours

    Spend an entire afternoon enjoying the sight and sounds of the ocean in the heart of the beautiful White Mountains.

  • End: North Woodstock

    From previous stop: same location

    Lodging is available in North Woodstock.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled: 5.1 miles / 8.2 km
Total Travel Time: 10 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 8 hours

Day 2

  • Stop 1: Franconia Notch State Park

    From previous stop: 8 minutes / 5 mi (8.0 km)
    Directions:

    Take US-3 north for about 5 miles until you come to the Park.
    Suggested time at this stop: 3 hours

    Franconia Notch State Park, one of only 6 such features in the US, sits high in the White Mountain National Forest. This park provides hours of fun things to see and do. This is the former location of the Old Man of the Mountain, a natural rock formation which once resembled a man's face.

  • Stop 2: Cannon Mountain Tramway

    From previous stop: 10 minutes / 3.8 mi (6.1 km)
    Directions:

    Drive east for 0.5 miles from the park, then turn left onto US-3. Drive north for 3 miles, then turn left and drive for 0.3 miles until you come to the Tramway.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    Cannon Mountain Tramway, located in a winter ski resort, offers summer tram rides to the top of Cannon Mountain for gorgeous views.

  • Stop 3: Mt. Washington Cog Railway

    From previous stop: 18 minutes / 14 mi (22.4 km)
    Directions:

    Leaving the tramway, turn right and drive for 0.2 miles. Take the left ramp onto I-93 (US-3) and drive for 2.0 miles At Exit 35, turn right onto the ramp to US-3. Drive for 0.5 miles, and bear right onto US-3. Drive for 9.9 miles, turn left onto US-302 (SR-10). Drive for 1.3 miles until you arrive at the railway.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour

    Mt. Washington Cog Railway, a historic area railroad, provides a great educational stop.

  • Stop 4: Mt. Washington Auto Road

    From previous stop: 42 minutes / 29.1 mi (46.6 km)
    Directions:

    Leaving the railway, take US-302 east for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto US-3 and drive for 2.0 miles. Turn right onto SR-115 and drive for 6.6 miles. Keep straight onto SR-115 (Owl's Head Hwy) for 1.8 miles. Keep straight onto SR-115 (Hollow Road) for 1.3 miles. Bear right for 0.1 mile, then bear right onto US-2. Drive for 8.2 miles, then turn right onto Pinkham Road. Drive for 4.3 miles, then turn right onto SR-16. Drive for 3.5 miles, then turn right onto Mt. Washington Auto Road.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour

    This eight-mile road takes you to the Northeast's highest peak, Mt. Washington, "the top of New England." This road is especially enjoyable because of its (literally) mile-high views of the Presidential Range and the White Mountain National Forest.

  • End: Bretton Woods

    From previous stop: same location

    Lodging is available in Bretton Woods.

Totals for Day 2

Total Distance Traveled: 51.9 miles / 83.0 km
Total Travel Time: 1 hour 18 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 7 hours

Day 3

  • Stop 1: Crawford Notch State Park

    From previous stop: 40 minutes / 32.4 mi (51.8 km)
    Directions:

    Leaving the Auto Road, turn right onto SR-16 and drive for 14.5 miles. Turn right onto US-302 and drive for 17.4 miles. Turn right and drive for 0.3 miles till you arrive at the park.
    Suggested time at this stop: 4 hours

    A plethora of outdoor opportunities await you here at Crawford Notch State Park.

  • End: Glen

    From previous stop: 21 minutes / 17.5 mi (28.0 km)
    Directions:

    Leaving the park, drive along US-302 for 17.5 miles until you reach the city of Glen.

    Lodging is available in Glen.

Totals for Day 3

Total Distance Traveled: 49.9 miles / 79.8 km
Total Travel Time: 1 hour 1 minute
Total Stopping Time: 4 hours

Day 4

  • Stop 1: Story Land

    From previous stop: 1 minute / 0.1 mi (0.2 km)
    Directions:

    From the museum, drive south 0.1 mile to Story Land.
    Suggested time at this stop: 4 hours

    Story Land is a children's theme park geared for young families.

  • Stop 2: Conway Scenic Railroad

    From previous stop: 8 minutes / 6.3 mi (10.1 km)
    Directions:

    Leaving Story Land, take SR-16 south for 0.7 miles. Turn left onto US-302 and drive for 5.5 miles. Turn right onto Norcross Circle, and drive for 0.1 mile till you reach the railroad.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour

    Discover bygone days in these powerful locomotives and their open (or enclosed) vintage coaches. Train rides vary in duration.

  • End: Conway

    From previous stop: 7 minutes / 5.5 mi (8.8 km)
    Directions:

    Take Norcross Circle south for 0.1 mile. Turn right onto US-302 and drive for 2.4 miles. Keep straight onto SR-16 for 2.8 miles, then turn left onto SR-113 into Conway.

    This exciting journey along the Byway ends in Conway, New Hampshire.

Totals for Day 4

Total Distance Traveled: 11.9 miles / 19.0 km
Total Travel Time: 16 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 5 hours