Scenic Drives

[dippasan]

Hi all,
Looking to get off the island for a day next week to take a scenic drive north. We have a Mustang GT drop top and we're looking to cruise for a whole day. It's our first summer with the car and I'm dying to do what it was made for.

Of course, I know about all the most common stops.
-Kanc
-Rt 302
-Mt Washington Auto Road

Kind of leaning towards a loop, due west from Lincoln on Rt 112 to Rt 302 near Bath. Then Rt 302 to Rt 16. We haven't explored much heading west of Rt 93.

I'd love to hear of any "must see" / "hidden gem" drives and stops in our beloved state.

thanks

[8gv]

This is a long drive and it may require an overnight stay.

Take route 3 north to Stafford, NH.

There you can pick up route 105 and go west, forever.

You can quit at Newport VT or continue to St Albans.

Bring your gas can...

[dippasan]

Originally Posted by 8gv

This is a long drive and it may require an overnight stay.

Take route 3 north to Stafford, NH.

There you can pick up route 105 and go west, forever.

You can quit at Newport VT or continue to St Albans.

Bring your gas can...

Thanks
Newport Vt, Troy Vt, Northeast kingdom and Route 105 are awesome.
I've driven all around there.
Kind of want to stay in Nh and keep it to a day.
thanks again

[Descant]

I'd go west, then north along the CT River, stop at the Fort at #4 reenactment. Here's the route, which includes 9 covered bridges. https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-...-road-trip-nh/
It's about 70 miles plus time to the start and return to Alton.

I had three of those cars, 1969, 1987 and 1989. They're so much fun, it doesn't matter where you go.

[dippasan]

Originally Posted by Descant

I'd go west, then north along the CT River, stop at the Fort at #4 reenactment. Here's the route, which includes 9 covered bridges. https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-...-road-trip-nh/
It's about 70 miles plus time to the start and return to Alton.

I had three of those cars, 1969, 1987 and 1989. They're so much fun, it doesn't matter where you go.

This is great
Thank you
Love mustangs.
66 coupe was my first car
later on I had a 65 convertible and I restored a 66 Fastback.
I have a 2007 GT Convertible now with 14k miles

[Slickcraft]

This is a loop up though Evans Notch, then west north of the mountains, then down through Franconia Notch to North Woodstock then west and down a twisty road to Warren and then back east on Rt 25.

From Conway go east on 113 then 302 to just entering Fryeburg. North on 113 across the river and up through Evans Notch. Photo is at Evans Notch; cold day with top up. Then Rt 2 west to Rt 3 south and 93 to North Woodstock. Lunch at the North Woodstock tavern. Then West on 112 to 118 south (Sawyer HW) a twisty road. Then 25 east back to 93.

BTW, Bear Notch Road between Bartlett and the Kanc is nice to try sometime.

[dippasan]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

This is a loop up though Evans Notch, then west north of the mountains, then down through Franconia Notch to North Woodstock then west and down a twisty road to Warren and then back east on Rt 25.

From Conway go east on 113 then 302 to just entering Fryeburg. North on 113 across the river and up through Evans Notch. Photo is at Evans Notch; cold day with top up. Then Rt 2 west to Rt 3 south and 93 to North Woodstock. Lunch at the North Woodstock tavern. Then West on 112 to 118 south (Sawyer HW) a twisty road. Then 25 east back to 93.

BTW, Bear Notch Road between Bartlett and the Kanc is nice to try sometime.

Wow
Looks like I'll need to go for 2 drives next week!
bear Notch is fun. Hard to decide to go right or left at the ends.......

Thanks

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by dippasan

Wow
Looks like I'll need to go for 2 drives next week!
bear Notch is fun. Hard to decide to go right or left at the ends.......

Thanks

If you are going north, turn left!

My first NEW car was a '68 coupe in Acapulco Blue with a 302 code J mill and a 4 speed stick. I would love to have that now!

Alan

[dippasan]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

If you are going north, turn left!

My first NEW car was a '68 coupe in Acapulco Blue with a 302 code J mill and a 4 speed stick. I would love to have that now!

Alan

Fantastic
Let me guess, vinyl top.......$4000 +/- new?

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by dippasan

Fantastic
Let me guess, vinyl top.......$4000 +/- new?

Not that much but I don't really recall. It was a while ago. I think a bit over $3K. Options over the base price were a few more bread crumbs back then. However I had just made Capt in the USAF then but pay was zilch. Anyway, the Pony was fun.

Alan

[marinewife]

I second Bear Notch Road off the Kanc but in October for phenomenal views~

[BroadHopper]

Jeez! There are tons! Depends on destinations, day trips, etc. Rte 105 is an excellent choice. Think Route 113 to Maine is another great road. 132, 135, 13 come to mind. NH is a great destination for sports cars and motorcycles! Google car rallies or bike tours in NH and you will get the hint!

The missus has a 65 Mustang convertible in which she and girlfriends often do the 'Thelma and Louis' bit. So watch out!

I have an allroad so love the twist and turns and occasional class IV roads like Tripoli and or Sandwich Notch roads.

Rte 16 past Conway is awesome! Lake Umbagog and Mooselookmeguntic are very pretty and if you like to fish...........................

[Slickcraft]

Rt 118 Sawyer Highway last fall:

[SailinAway]

One of the prettiest areas of New Hampshire is route 16 from Berlin to Errol through Thirteen-Mile Woods along the Androscoggin River. From Errol (stop at LL Cote outdoor store) you can take route 26 west to Dixville Notch. I have this itinerary in my notes:

"Gorham Rt. 16 through Milan and the beautiful Thirteen Mile Woods to Errol, where you'll turn west on Rt. 26 through Dixville Notch, past the famous Balsams Resort, to Colebrook; this stretch is curvaceous and spectacularly scenic.

"At Colebrook, turn south on Rt. 3 and stop at the Shrine of our Lady of Grace; then continue, following the winding Connecticut River.

"In Groveton, turn east on Rt. 110 to Stark, famous for its picture-perfect covered bridge, and back to Berlin."

Also: Beaver Brook Falls Wayside, 2.4 miles north of Colebrook on Rte 145. The 110' falls are worth seeing. There's a picnic area with short walking paths tp the falls.

Another alternative for the return trip from Dixville Notch is route 26 east through Grafton Notch.

I normally go kayaking and camping for several days in this area, but one beautiful fall day I did the whole tour in one day and really enjoyed it. This is an outdoor tour with few restaurants along the way, so take ample food.

[Slickcraft]

Agree on the ride from Berlin to Errol and the L.L Cote store. Also lunch across the street at the Errol Restaurant and Pub.

Alan

[NH.Solar]

I93 through the Notch, exit 34C past Echo Lake and the Cannon lodges and downhill to the light Franconia, go straight and drive about another 3/4 mile then turn left on 117 toward Sugar Hill.
A couple of miles up and about a 1/4 mile before Polly's Pancake you will come across Lover's Lane on the right, definitely take that loop because the view from the top of Peckett's Hill back through the Notch is amazing! Continue on for another mile or so and turn left on Sunset Hill Road and go up to the Inn. This used to be one of the best lupine fields and prettiest spots in NH, but now there is a wedding venue and three new houses (and one of them is BUTT ugly). The biggest sin is that the Town could have bought the field for $300K and kept it as was but passed on it. There is a little deck just before Sunset Hill House where you can enjoy a truly scenic picnic and across the street is a wonderfully fragrant bank of rosa rugosas that may be in bloom just about now. Unfortunately the Sampler at the base of Sunset Hill Road is now closed, it too was a very cool spot.
Go back to the bottom of the hill and turn left toward the village of Sunset Hill and park there for a few moments so you can go into Harmons Store and buy some of their truly delicious cheddar cheese (yum!). From there you can continue on 117 until you hit 302, turn left and drive until you can turn left onto 112 Lost River hwy), but I'd suggest picking up the Easton Road in Franconia and taking the backroads through Toad Hill to Rte 116 (Kinsman Hwy). Turn left on 116 and in 4 or 5 miles it runs right into 112. Turn left toward Lincoln and a couple of miles after Lost River Gorge resort turn right onto 118 and take that over Moosilaukee until it dead ends on Route 25 (Tenney Mt Hwy). Turning left on 25 will take you back to Plymouth.

[loony]

From Newport Vt. take backroads to CANADA 247 along the eastern side of lake memfremagog to Magog for lunch/dinner. Magog is a pretty french village with lots of restaurants, cafes, hiking and biking trails in the area. Theres also a beach. One very easy bike trail is out of the park in downtown and goes along the lake. They flood and groom this trail in winter for ice skating. Very picturesque.
I never have, but you could return along the western side of the lake.
Dont forget your passports...

[dippasan]

Originally Posted by loony

From Newport Vt. take backroads to CANADA 247 along the eastern side of lake memfremagog to Magog for lunch/dinner. Magog is a pretty french village with lots of restaurants, cafes, hiking and biking trails in the area. Theres also a beach. One very easy bike trail is out of the park in downtown and goes along the lake. They flood and groom this trail in winter for ice skating. Very picturesque.
I never have, but you could return along the western side of the lake.
Dont forget your passports...

Newport and Magog are great towns and destinations like bookends on Lake Memphremagog. Northeast Kingdom is great.

[dippasan]

Originally Posted by NH.Solar

I93 through the Notch, exit 34C past Echo Lake and the Cannon lodges and downhill to the light Franconia, go straight and drive about another 3/4 mile then turn left on 117 toward Sugar Hill.
A couple of miles up and about a 1/4 mile before Polly's Pancake you will come across Lover's Lane on the right, definitely take that loop because the view from the top of Peckett's Hill back through the Notch is amazing! Continue on for another mile or so and turn left on Sunset Hill Road and go up to the Inn. This used to be one of the best lupine fields and prettiest spots in NH, but now there is a wedding venue and three new houses (and one of them is BUTT ugly). The biggest sin is that the Town could have bought the field for $300K and kept it as was but passed on it. There is a little deck just before Sunset Hill House where you can enjoy a truly scenic picnic and across the street is a wonderfully fragrant bank of rosa rugosas that may be in bloom just about now. Unfortunately the Sampler at the base of Sunset Hill Road is now closed, it too was a very cool spot.
Go back to the bottom of the hill and turn left toward the village of Sunset Hill and park there for a few moments so you can go into Harmons Store and buy some of their truly delicious cheddar cheese (yum!). From there you can continue on 117 until you hit 302, turn left and drive until you can turn left onto 112 Lost River hwy), but I'd suggest picking up the Easton Road in Franconia and taking the backroads through Toad Hill to Rte 116 (Kinsman Hwy). Turn left on 116 and in 4 or 5 miles it runs right into 112. Turn left toward Lincoln and a couple of miles after Lost River Gorge resort turn right onto 118 and take that over Moosilaukee until it dead ends on Route 25 (Tenney Mt Hwy). Turning left on 25 will take you back to Plymouth.

Wow
sounds like a lot of great destinations here. So many spots I havent heard of.
Nice ride BTW. Cobra? 289? 427?

Thanks

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by dippasan

Wow
sounds like a lot of great destinations here. So many spots I havent heard of.
Nice ride BTW. Cobra? 289? 427?

Thanks

Yeah I also was wondering. Looks like an AC Cobra maybe a Mark II?

[SailinAway]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

Agree on the ride from Berlin to Errol and the L.L Cote store. Also lunch across the street at the Errol Restaurant and Pub.

Alan

P.S. Until about 5 years ago it was dangerous to drive back on route 16 after sunset because of the large number of MOOSE on that road (and all backroads). In the past few years I've seen NO moose in that area, whereas I used to see several on each trip. Still, I prefer to be out of the Great North Woods by sunset.

[dippasan]

Originally Posted by SailinAway

One of the prettiest areas of New Hampshire is route 16 from Berlin to Errol through Thirteen-Mile Woods along the Androscoggin River. From Errol (stop at LL Cote outdoor store) you can take route 26 west to Dixville Notch. I have this itinerary in my notes:

"Gorham Rt. 16 through Milan and the beautiful Thirteen Mile Woods to Errol, where you'll turn west on Rt. 26 through Dixville Notch, past the famous Balsams Resort, to Colebrook; this stretch is curvaceous and spectacularly scenic.

"At Colebrook, turn south on Rt. 3 and stop at the Shrine of our Lady of Grace; then continue, following the winding Connecticut River.

"In Groveton, turn east on Rt. 110 to Stark, famous for its picture-perfect covered bridge, and back to Berlin."

Also: Beaver Brook Falls Wayside, 2.4 miles north of Colebrook on Rte 145. The 110' falls are worth seeing. There's a picnic area with short walking paths tp the falls.

Another alternative for the return trip from Dixville Notch is route 26 east through Grafton Notch.

I normally go kayaking and camping for several days in this area, but one beautiful fall day I did the whole tour in one day and really enjoyed it. This is an outdoor tour with few restaurants along the way, so take ample food.

I drive the Rt 16 stretch from Berlin/Milan/Errol to Oquossoc Maine a lot. Beautiful ride along the river.
thanks

[dippasan]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Jeez! There are tons! Depends on destinations, day trips, etc. Rte 105 is an excellent choice. Think Route 113 to Maine is another great road. 132, 135, 13 come to mind. NH is a great destination for sports cars and motorcycles! Google car rallies or bike tours in NH and you will get the hint!

The missus has a 65 Mustang convertible in which she and girlfriends often do the 'Thelma and Louis' bit. So watch out!

I have an allroad so love the twist and turns and occasional class IV roads like Tripoli and or Sandwich Notch roads.

Rte 16 past Conway is awesome! Lake Umbagog and Mooselookmeguntic are very pretty and if you like to fish...........................

I know right?
So many great ones to choose from. I love the whole Rangeley Lakes area and spend weekends there all winter long snowmobiling. Love it.

Thanks

[mofn]

1) I second the Evan's Notch motion.
2) Overnight? Up through 13 mile woods to Errol and across to Rangeley.
Rangeley area...up Quill Hill (gravel road) or in Eustis up Kiby Mt. to the windmills
(gravel road) wild views! looking right into Canada.
The way home, the road to Stinkytown (Rumford) some great turnouts over looking the lakes. Hit Evan's on way back. In Conway the road to Effingham Falls/Freedom were Twin Pines? is, very nice ride and puts you back at Center Ossipee.

[dippasan]

Originally Posted by mofn

1) I second the Evan's Notch motion.
2) Overnight? Up through 13 mile woods to Errol and across to Rangeley.
Rangeley area...up Quill Hill (gravel road) or in Eustis up Kiby Mt. to the windmills
(gravel road) wild views! looking right into Canada.
The way home, the road to Stinkytown (Rumford) some great turnouts over looking the lakes. Hit Evan's on way back. In Conway the road to Effingham Falls/Freedom were Twin Pines? is, very nice ride and puts you back at Center Ossipee.

I've been snowmobiling the Rangeley/Eustis/Stratton/Moosehead area for 25 years and I couldn't agree more. Gorgeous area with endless scenic overlooks and mountainous countryside.
I've been to all the places you mention on snowmobile but not by car.
I've just added it to my bucket list.

Thanks