Western White Mountain Chamber

Basecamp of the White Mountains in New Hampshire

Mountain Biking

Biking in the Western White Mountains

The Western White Mountains is an incredible hub for cycling with miles of mountain biking trails weaving throughout the forest, a paved recreational path with stunning views of the mountains, and brag-worthy road cycling routes. Plus, each year we host White Mountain Bicycle Week! Celebrate New Hampshire’s other bike week with the communities of Lincoln, Woodstock and Franconia Notch as we pedal through the great outdoors to support regional non-profits. So, what are you waiting for? Pump up your tires, fill up your water bottle, and hit the trails or road for some two-wheeled fun!

Mountain Biking

Catch a ride on the Northeast’s most technological advanced lift, the Kancamagus 8, and get ready to hit the trails at Loon! Opened in 2019, the new purpose-built downhill mountain biking trails at Loon Mountain are epic! Designed and built by the people who built Highland Mountain Bike Park in Northfield, New Hampshire, the Loon Mountain Bike Park offers a huge variety of freeride, technical, and cross country trails over 9 miles for every level of riders. Learn more about Mountain Biking at Loon.

For the more experienced rider, day passes are available online. If you’ve never been downhill mountain biking then the Your Turn lesson, rental, and ticket package might be just for you. The Whistle Stop Bike Center at Loon Mountain offers downhill, cross-country mountain bike, and e-bike rentals for whatever trails you choose.

If you’re looking to get off the beaten path in the White Mountains, hit the six miles of cross-country trails through the forest of lower Black Mountain along the banks of the Pemigewasset River. The East Ridge Trails are open to the public and can be accessed near the Whistle Stop Bike Center. Drive north on I-93 and check out Franconia Area Nemba and Profile Trails. where the terrain is more rocky and technical. Stay at the Franconia Inn and you have direct access to the trails for fat biking and mountain biking year round. Just a bit further north in Littleton is PRKR MTN Trails offering 22 miles of hand-built mountain biking trails for all abilities. And just a little bit further over the border in Vermont is Kingdom Trails. If you’re looking for a mountain biking mecca then you have come to the right place!

Road Cycling

While the mountain biking trails in the Western White Mountains are incredible, we can’t forget about road cycling. If you love to climb, then we have you covered! Cyclists from all over New England come to Lincoln every year to compete to earn bragging rights by riding all 34 miles of the Kancamagus Highway. If you have ever driven the “Kanc” then you know it’s one tough ride, but at least it’s beautiful! From the Conway side, the first 16 miles are relatively easy with a slight grade, but after that, you’ll start climbing towards the sky. The last stretch to the top of the Kancamagus Pass is about a 7% grade and then it’s downhill all the way to Lincoln.

For the overachievers or just the cycling fanatic, the Tour de Notches is one of the legendary New England rides for road cyclists. Start from Main Street in Lincoln and climb north through Franconia Notch on Route 3. In Twin Peaks, take a right on to Route 302 where you’ll ride past the beautiful Mount Washington Hotel and Bretton Woods through Crawford Notch. In Bartlett, take another right on to Bear Notch Road where you’ll climb for five miles to the Kancamagus Highways. By the time you’re done, you rode 77.3 miles and climbed over 5,300 feet in elevation. Make sure you rehydrate with a cool beverage at one of the many breweries or wineries in the Western White Mountains!

Paved Bike Paths

If you have young kids or just prefer a more leisurely ride on a paved path, the Lincoln/Woodstock area is home to a few paths. The Franconia Notch Recreation Path runs 8.7 miles through Franconia Notch State Park and passes some of the park’s most famous attractions. While there is a little bit of climbing on the path, it is relatively easy for any age and riding ability. The Lincoln Loop from Loon Mountain to downtown Lincoln is another great paved, family-friendly loop for all ages. The two-mile path follows along the Pemigewasset River.

Fat Biking

fat biking

When the snow starts to fly, you don’t have to put your bike away or ride the dreaded trainer in your basement! Fat biking has become very popular in the White Mountains in recent years thanks to groomed trails and local bike shops carrying these bikes that are outfitted with super-wide tires. Both Profile Trails in Franconia and PRKR MTN in Littleton groom miles of trails and many of the local trails. Just like the Lincoln Woods Trail which are great for fat biking.

Hit the Trails or Road This Year

Life is better on two wheels with the wind in your hair (under your helmet of course!). Whether you are a complete newbie or an experienced cyclist, the Western White Mountains offers something for everyone when it comes to biking. We hope to see you on the trails or roads soon!

5 Best Fall Activities in the Western White Mountains

Ready for another beautiful fall foliage season in the Western White Mountains?! Peak foliage is just around the corner, and you’ll want to start planning all your favorite fall activities. Hop in your car and head to the mountains for some fall fun with your family.

 

Fall Scenic Drives

The White Mountains are home to some of the best fall foliage scenic drives in the world. There is a reason thousands of people flock to the region every year to view the incredible kaleidoscope of colors. For the ultimate White Mountains road trip, fill up your tank, grab a sweater, and lots of snacks, and hit the road.

The Multi-Notch Mountain Ride is approximately 142 miles long and will take you through the best of the White Mountains. Start your journey in Lincoln on I-93 through Franconia Notch State Park and past the former Old Man of the Mountain. Just before Littleton, take the exit to Route 302 and drive through the quaint town of Bethlehem before driving past the majestic Mount Washington Hotel. There are plenty of scenic lookout spots to stop along the way to take your selfies or photos of trees bursting with color. Once past the infamous hotel, you’ll drive through Crawford Notch with the Presidential Range looming overhead. From here, choose to take the Bear Botch Road in Bartlett to the Kancamagus Highway or drive through North Conway and stop for lunch. From Conway, turn west on to Route 112 as known as the Kancamagus Highway, which offers 34.5 miles of breathtaking mountain scenery through the White Mountain National Forest.

The Multi-Notch Mountain Ride can be broken into a weekend or done in a day. Don’t have a full day? You can just drive the Kancamagus Highway or Route 302 through Crawford Notch. Whatever route you take, it will be beautiful. Keep in mind that parking is limited in areas, and you should avoid parking on the highways or busy roads.

artist bluff

Fall Hikes

If you’re looking to get up close and personal with the changing leaves or views of the White Mountain National Forest from above, you’ll want to lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails. Hiking is a great socially-distance fall activity for the whole family. With hundreds of miles of hiking trails throughout the Western White Mountains, there is no shortage of trails with great fall foliage views. For an easy hike for the whole family, the Lincoln Woods Trail is a flat 2.7-mile trail that meanders along the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River.

For epic fall views of Franconia Notch, take the short yet steep jaunt up Artists Bluff. For centuries, tourists have climbed the well-worn trail to the open summit on Bald Mountain. It is a popular hike, so get there early, and you may want to bring a face mask just in case. For a more challenging hike, the 8.5-mile Franconia Trail Loop will take you over the peaks of Mount Lafayette, Mount Lincoln, and Little Haystack for panoramic views of the White Mountains. Be sure to pack all the essentials, including warm clothes and possibly crampons, since it is not uncommon for it to snow early in the White Mountains at higher elevations.

Wine and Beer Tasting

Over the recent years, tons of breweries and wineries have been popping up across the western White Mountains making it the best destination for craft beer and wine lovers. Start your day off by winetasting at Seven Birches Winery at the RiverWalk Resort. Choose from a variety of in-house made white, red, and everything in between wine. Just a short walk across the parking lot, you’ll find One Love Brewery with their tasty German-style beers and delicious menu of pub favorites.

Discover one of New Hampshire’s original craft breweries at the Woodstock Inn Brewery. With a 30-barrel production facility on-site, you can not only taste your favorite beers but see them made. With creative Western White Mountains names like Exit 32 and Pemi Pale Ale, you find something to like. Head up I-93 and find even more breweries to try. Remember to drink responsibly.

fall foliage

Scenic Train Rides

Trains were once a primary mode of transportation in the White Mountains, and you can still see the remnants of old railbeds and cars throughout the region. Whether you’re a train enthusiast or just someone who wants to enjoy a scenic ride through the mountains to see the fall foliage, you have several options to enjoy. The Hobo Railroad in Lincoln offers fall foliage rides along the Pemigewasset River region. Due to the coronavirus, the train will be running on a limited schedule and capacity to ensure the safety of the public. The Mount Washington Cog Railway and the Conway Scenic Railroad are also open for fall foliage scenic train rides during the autumn months.

Mountain Biking

Hit the new mountain biking trails at Loon Mountain this fall. Last fall, Loon Mountain completed phase one of their new downhill mountain biking park. Designed and built in conjunction with Highland Trails, the downhill mountain park over two miles of trails with more to come in the following years. If you prefer flatter ground, Loon Mountain has six miles of cross-country biking trails as well. Once you’re done ripping it up at Loon, head over to the nearly 9 mile Franconia Notch Recreation Path.

Visit the Western White Mountains This Fall

Fall is a beautiful time to visit the Western White Mountains of New Hampshire. With the incredible changing colors and lots of crisp fresh air, it’s the perfect place to experience the fresh mountain air.