New Hampshire road guide
The best motorcycle roads in New Hampshire, from the Kanc to Moose Alley
The best motorcycle roads in New Hampshire run through the White Mountains: the Kancamagus Highway, the Pinkham, Crawford, Franconia and Kinsman notches, and the Mount Washington Auto Road. North of the mountains, Dixville Notch and Moose Alley are as empty as New England gets, and the Lakes Region, the Seacoast and the Connecticut River add easier miles. Here are 14, with what to watch for and when to go.
- Roads listed
- 14
- Regions
- 4
- Toll road
- Mount Washington Auto Road
- No gas on
- The Kancamagus
Before you pick
How to ride the best motorcycle roads in New Hampshire
Most of New Hampshire's famous riding sits inside a circle about an hour across: the White Mountains. The Kancamagus runs east to west through the middle, the big notches cut north to south on either side, and Mount Washington stands over all of it. A good day links the Kanc with one or two notches. A good weekend adds the Auto Road, the North Country and a lap of Lake Winnipesaukee.
Mountain roads here are seasonal and the weather is serious. Some connectors close for winter, the Auto Road opens only in the warmer months and closes for weather, and moose are a real hazard at dawn and dusk. Check conditions before a mountain day. For timing, see the best time to ride a motorcycle in New Hampshire. For laws, events and regions, start at the New Hampshire motorcycle rides hub.
The Kancamagus
The Kancamagus and the roads around it
- 1. Kancamagus Highway (NH 112)Why: About 34 miles from Lincoln to Conway through the White Mountain National Forest, climbing to Kancamagus Pass at nearly 2,900 feet, with overlooks, waterfalls and the Swift River along the way. A National Scenic Byway and New England's most famous ride. Watch for: No gas and spotty cell service the whole way, so fill up first. Moose at dusk, sightseers braking for overlooks and some of the heaviest foliage traffic in New England. Parking at many sites can require a recreation pass. Best season: June to mid-October, at sunrise or midweek.
- 2. Bear Notch RoadWhy: A short, winding connector from US 302 in Bartlett up to the Kancamagus, with a few overlooks on the way. It turns the Kanc and Crawford Notch into one loop. Watch for: Frost heaves and patched pavement. It isn't maintained in winter, so it's closed for the cold months. Best season: June to October.
- 3. Kinsman Notch (NH 112 west of North Woodstock)Why: West of North Woodstock, NH 112 climbs through Kinsman Notch past Lost River Gorge and Beaver Brook Cascades, then drops toward the Connecticut River valley. Quieter than the Kanc and just as pretty. Watch for: Tight corners on the grades, wet pavement under the trees and moose. Best season: June to mid-October.
- 4. NH 118, Warren to North WoodstockWhy: NH 118 crosses the shoulder of Mount Moosilauke between Warren and North Woodstock, with steady climbs, sweepers and very little traffic. A good back way into Lincoln. Watch for: Frost heaves, sand in spring and moose. Best season: June to mid-October.
The notches
The big notches and Mount Washington
- 5. Pinkham Notch (NH 16)Why: NH 16 runs north from Jackson through Pinkham Notch to Gorham, with Mount Washington and Wildcat Mountain on either side, Glen Ellis Falls on the way and the base of the Auto Road near the top of the notch. Watch for: Heavy summer and foliage traffic, hikers crossing at trailheads, moose and fast-changing weather. Best season: June to mid-October.
- 6. Mount Washington Auto RoadWhy: A privately run toll road that climbs 7.6 miles from NH 16 to the summit of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast at 6,288 feet. Motorcycles are allowed, and on a clear day you can see several states. Watch for: Steep grades, narrow sections with big drop-offs and no guardrails, and summit weather that can turn to fog, wind and freezing temperatures in any month. Use low gears and engine braking on the way down. It's seasonal and closes for weather, so check conditions and the road's rules first. Best season: Summer, on a clear, calm day.
- 7. Crawford Notch (US 302)Why: US 302 runs through Crawford Notch State Park between Bartlett and Bretton Woods, under cliffs and past waterfalls, with the grand hotel at Bretton Woods and Mount Washington behind it at the north end. Watch for: A steep grade through the notch, rockfall, trucks, parked cars at trailheads and weather that changes quickly. Best season: June to mid-October.
- 8. Franconia Notch Parkway (I-93 and US 3)Why: Through Franconia Notch the interstate narrows to a single lane each way and slows down, running past the Flume, the Basin, Profile Lake and Cannon Mountain, with Echo Lake at the north end. Short and stunning. Watch for: It's still a highway, with tour buses, quick exits and drivers looking at the cliffs instead of the road. Best season: June to mid-October.
The North Country
The North Country: Dixville, Moose Alley and Evans Notch
- 9. Thirteen Mile Woods (NH 16) and Dixville Notch (NH 26)Why: NH 16 follows the Androscoggin River north from Berlin through Thirteen Mile Woods to Errol, then NH 26 climbs west through the tight rock walls of Dixville Notch to Colebrook. Empty, wild and beautiful. Watch for: Moose, logging trucks and long gaps between services. Best season: June to early October.
- 10. US 3, Moose Alley to the Canadian borderWhy: North of Pittsburg, US 3 runs past the Connecticut Lakes to the Canadian border, and moose sightings are common enough that the stretch is known as Moose Alley. Watch for: Moose in the road, especially at dawn and dusk, very few services and no cell signal in places. Fill up in Pittsburg, and carry a passport if you plan to cross. Best season: June to September.
- 11. Evans Notch (NH 113 and ME 113)Why: From Chatham, the road climbs north through Evans Notch in the White Mountain National Forest and crosses into Maine toward Gilead. Narrow, twisty and very quiet. Watch for: Rough pavement, tight blind corners and no services. The road is gated and closed in winter. Best season: June to mid-October.
South of the mountains
The Lakes Region, the Seacoast and the Connecticut River
- 12. Lake Winnipesaukee loop (NH 11, NH 28, NH 109, NH 25 and US 3)Why: Circle the big lake through Alton Bay, Wolfeboro, Moultonborough, Meredith and Weirs Beach, with water views and lake towns most of the way. Watch for: Boat trailers, summer weekend traffic and village speed zones. During Motorcycle Week, expect heavy bike traffic and a big police presence. Best season: May to June, September to October.
- 13. NH 1A, the SeacoastWhy: New Hampshire's short Atlantic coast runs from Seabrook through Hampton Beach and Rye toward Portsmouth, with NH 1B looping out through New Castle. Ocean views, big houses and seafood shacks. Watch for: Hampton Beach summer traffic, pedestrians, sand on the road and wind. Best season: May to June, September to October.
- 14. NH 12A, the Connecticut River valleyWhy: NH 12A runs north from Claremont through Cornish and Plainfield toward West Lebanon, past the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge and the Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park. Farms, river views and an easy pace, with Vermont across the water. Watch for: Farm traffic and few passing zones. Best season: May to October.
Link them
New Hampshire loops that link the best roads
- The White Mountains classicFrom Lincoln, ride the Kancamagus east, cut up Bear Notch Road to US 302, head north through Crawford Notch to Bretton Woods, then come back south on US 3 and through Franconia Notch to Lincoln. A full day that closes on itself.
- Pinkham and CrawfordFrom North Conway, ride NH 16 through Pinkham Notch to Gorham, take US 2 west and NH 115 toward Twin Mountain, then ride US 302 back south through Crawford Notch. Stop at the Auto Road on the way if the summit is clear.
- The North Country loopFrom Gorham, ride NH 16 north through Thirteen Mile Woods to Errol, NH 26 west through Dixville Notch to Colebrook, US 3 south to Lancaster and US 2 east back to Gorham. Plan fuel and check the connectors with the loop builder.
Summary
New Hampshire motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| Kancamagus Highway (NH 112) | White Mountains | Jun to mid-Oct |
| Bear Notch Road | White Mountains | Jun to Oct, seasonal |
| Kinsman Notch (NH 112) | White Mountains | Jun to mid-Oct |
| NH 118 | White Mountains | Jun to mid-Oct |
| Pinkham Notch (NH 16) | White Mountains | Jun to mid-Oct |
| Mount Washington Auto Road | White Mountains | Summer, seasonal |
| Crawford Notch (US 302) | White Mountains | Jun to mid-Oct |
| Franconia Notch Parkway | White Mountains | Jun to mid-Oct |
| Thirteen Mile Woods and Dixville Notch | North Country | Jun to early Oct |
| US 3, Moose Alley | North Country | Jun to Sep |
| Evans Notch (NH 113) | White Mountains to Maine | Jun to mid-Oct, seasonal |
| Lake Winnipesaukee loop | Lakes Region | May to Jun, Sep to Oct |
| NH 1A, Seacoast | Seacoast | May to Jun, Sep to Oct |
| NH 12A | Connecticut River | May to Oct |
In the app
New Hampshire roads riders have added in Rippin'
Below are the New Hampshire roads riders have added to Rippin', pulled live from the app. Rippin' started in Southern California, and many states have only a few roads in the app so far, so most of the notches and byways on this page are still waiting for someone to add them.
Here's how. Ride the road with Rippin' recording, open Segments and tap Create a Segment, then set a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. A person on the Rippin' team checks every road before it goes live, and your name stays on it. Riders who ride through it land on its board, and the crown goes to the rider who owns the road. Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads, and on roads like the Auto Road and the notches that matters. Read more on segments and leaderboards and how roads get added.
Loops like the White Mountains classic also claim turf: the land inside a loop that closes on itself becomes yours on the live map. Empty land is free to claim.
Live from the app
New Hampshire on Rippin' right now.
3 upcoming events and 1 rider-added road in New Hampshire on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in New Hampshire?
The Kancamagus Highway (NH 112) is the most famous. For a full White Mountains day, loop it with Bear Notch Road, Crawford Notch on US 302 and Franconia Notch.
Can you ride a motorcycle up Mount Washington?
Yes. The Mount Washington Auto Road is a seasonal toll road open to motorcycles. It's steep, has no guardrails in places, and summit weather can turn fast, so check conditions and the road's rules first.
Is there gas on the Kancamagus Highway?
No. There are no services along the Kancamagus between Lincoln and Conway, so fill up in either town before you ride it.
Where can I see moose in New Hampshire?
US 3 north of Pittsburg, known as Moose Alley, and the roads around Errol and Dixville Notch. Moose are most active at dawn and dusk, which is also when they're hardest to see from a bike.
What are good motorcycle roads during Laconia Motorcycle Week?
The Lake Winnipesaukee loop is right there, and the White Mountains are about an hour north, with the Kancamagus, the notches and the Auto Road. Ride the mountains early to beat rally traffic.
Can I add a New Hampshire road to Rippin'?
Yes. Ride it with Rippin' recording and use Create a Segment. A person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it.
Put a White Mountains road on the map.
Download Rippin' free, ride a notch with it recording and add it. Your name stays on it.
Free on iPhone and Android. How Rippin' works
