This loop through the White Mountains may start or end in several communities along the route. There are many options to choose from, making this region ideal for a multi-day tour, or layover along route.

Starting in Lincoln, travel north on I-93 and the Franconia Notch Parkway to Franconia Notch State Park. Visit the spectacular 800' Flume Gorge and 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 hour-3 hours).

Continue up the parkway to exit 35, traveling Route 3 west to Twin Mountain, then east on Route 302 to Bretton Woods. Stop for a view of Mt. Washington, the Northeast's highest peak at 6,288 feet rising majestically above the Mt. Washington Hotel, one of the last remaining truly grand hotels (15 min.) Options include lunch and a tour of the Hotel (1 1/2 - 3 hours), a scenic chairlift ride to the Top O' Quad Restaurant with unparallel views of Mt. Washington and the Presidential Range (1-1/2 hours) or a ride up Mt. Washington on the Mt. Washington Cog Railway, the world's first mountain climbing cog railway (1 1/2 - 3 hours).

Travel east on Route 302 through Crawford Notch State Park to the village of Jackson, just off Route 16. Stop at one of the most photographed covered bridges in New England, the Jackson Covered Bridge (15 min.) Along the way you may wish to ride the Attitash scenic chairlift (1-1 1/2 hours); or schedule a trip up the Mt. Washington Auto Road, just north of Jackson (1 1/2 hours).

From Jackson, go south on Route 16 to Route 302 east and the village of North Conway in the Mt. Washington Valley. Board the Conway Scenic Railway for a one-hour train ride aboard restored antique coaches on an 11-mile ride through the countryside. As an alternative, you may wish to schedule an afternoon of shopping.

The Mt. Washington Valley is known for its many name brand factory outlets, and of course shopping is tax-free in New Hampshire.

Finish your loop through the White Mountains by traveling west to Lincoln on Route 112, the 34 mile super-scenic Kancamagus Highway, now designated by the National Forest Service as one of its scenic byways.