When September ends and October begins it reminds me of fall in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The chill in the air, the vibrant colors of the leaves shining with bright golds and reds, warm apple cider. Yup, there is nothing like Fall in the White Mountains.
The best way to experience the true beauty of fall in the White Mountains is to drive along the Kancamagus Highway. It’s a 33 miles scenic drive with nothing but nature all around. No gas stations or restaurants. Just epic views of the fall colors and the White Mountains.
Along the Kancamagus Highway you’re greeted with breathtaking views of the Swift River, Sabbaday Falls, Lower Falls and Rocky Gorge. I loved exploring these rivers and waterfalls. Its amazing to hear the intense rush of the water as you’re driving by and how loud it gets as you get closer to it. To see the reds and shimmering gold colored leaves just swaying in the wind as you walk along the rivers and waterfalls almost has a zen like feel to it. You’re calmed by noise of the water and relaxed by the vibrant colors that surround you.
There are opportunities to take other roads off the Kancamagus Highway to see the Presidential Range in the White Mountains or to explore either Crawford Notch or Franconia Notch State Parks. Drives to and up the Mt. Washington auto road offer amazing viewpoints of the White Mountains. Even taking the famous Conway Scenic Railroad lets you see all the luster of fall as you hang your head out the window of the train and take in the fresh breeze and lovely view of the White Mountains.
Leaf peepers flock to the Kancamagus Highway and to the White Mountains by the bus loads, literally. On the weekends you will we see tour bus after tour bus dropping foliage admirers off. The colors start to change in middle of September but the true magic usually happens around the second week of October. As quickly as the colors change is as quickly as they leaves fall off.
Below are photos of what fall looks like in the White Mountains.
