Press Kit

Fall news from Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce – October 1, 2020

Contact:  Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331, PR@mtwashingtonvalley.org

CHAMBER PICKS FOR 2020’S MOST SELFIE-WORTHY SPOTS

From hotspots to 100-mile tours, top 11 photo ops for leaf peepers in Mt Washington Valley, NH

North Conway – Long considered one of the best spots in the USA for leaf peeping, Mt Washington Valley, NH is approaching peak fall color a little early this year.  According to Jim Salge, foliage expert, the drought often makes for the leaves to turn color and peak a little earlier but are nonetheless still brilliant shades of harvest hues.  His predictions are holding true this year, as fall foliage season in Mt Washington Valley is quickly approaching its most brilliant color, about two weeks earlier than usual.

Color turns at varying speeds throughout Mt Washington Valley.  Leaf peepers will find brilliant color in the northern parts of the Valley next week, and then the color could continue on beyond Columbus Day in the southern part of the Valley.  Either way, bring the camera and plan on a masked-up selfie sojourn with your friends while keeping social distance, leaving plenty of space for beautiful leaves in the photo!

We started with a list of the top ten suggestions for selfie spots in Mt Washington Valley, NH, but found ourselves with one extra – there were just too many fabulous photo ops not to list them all!

Scenic Overlooks

The Scenic Vista in Intervale: Made famous by painters of the 19th century White Mountain School hundreds of years ago, here’s one view that climate change has not impacted. Doubling as a New Hampshire rest area complete with restrooms, brochures and plenty of parking places to pull over, plan on getting unobstructed views of Mount Washington and the intervale along the Saco River. It’s right on Route 16, about 3 miles north of North Conway Village, next to the 1785 Inn.

Cathedral Ledge Overlook:  Found in Cathedral Ledge State Park, during certain times of year it’s possible to drive to the top for a fabulous view of North Conway Village and all the way to Attitash to the north and to Conway Lake to the south. The gate on the auto road to the summit is closed for the season now, but don’t let that stop you.  Without traffic from cars, the one-mile road has turned into a walkers’ and bikers’ paradise. It’s a mostly shaded walk up to the 1159-foot summit and enjoy spectacular views of Mount Washington Valley and the mountains to the south, east and north. You may just be there to watch a rock climber “top out” at the summit of this popular ledge for climbing. To find it, put 579 Cathedral Ledge Road into your GPS and follow signs off West Side Road.

First Church of Christ, Congregational Park: Referred to as Peace Park by some, this isprobably the most accessible view in the Valley.  Located on Route 16 toward the south end of North Conway Village, across from the pink Handcrafters Barn, you’ll see a small park across from the Route 16/Depot Road intersection. The view overlooks a stand of foliage so vibrant, it’s been known to stop traffic. Park at the nearby municipal lot walk across the street for photos.

Trails offering fabulous views

Mount Willard: Start from the Crawford Notch depot on Route 302. This former carriage road is now a hiking trail that climbs to ledges offering one of the most spectacular views in the region all the way down Crawford Notch. Here’s a great way to really understand what a notch is! The hike is about three miles round-trip. To find the trail, follow Route 302 through the village of Bartlett and into Crawford Notch. Look for the depot on the west side of Route 302, opposite Saco Lake.

Black Cap Trail: This is a favorite trail due to its easy accessibility from North Conway Village.  Simply take winding Hurricane Mountain Road (north of the Intervale Scenic Vista on Route 16,) and head nearly straight up the mountainous, narrow road. Be forewarned: this road is not a good idea for large vehicles like RVs and trucks. Oncoming traffic will seem impossibly close; pull over or back down to where you can pull over when oncoming traffic approaches. Near the top, look for the Black Cap trailhead on your right and park in the clearing for cars. The trail is considered moderately easy and continues just over a mile to the summit, rewarding hikers with outstanding scenery, including a bird’s-eye view of North Conway Village.  At the summit, you’ll be looking down on the top of Cranmore Mountain Resort.

Square Ledge Trail: Travel north from North Conway on Route 16, well past Story Land and past the Jackson Covered Bridge up to the AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and Joe Dodge Lodge. Park there. Cross the road and you’ll find the Lost Pond Trail. Walk over a bridge and in about 50 feet, you’ll see a small sign marking the Square Ledge Trail. This hike should take about a half-hour each way. The last 80 yards get steep before topping out at a ledge with unbeatable views, include Huntington and Tuckerman ravines, up to Gorham and down to Glen.

Scenic Drives

Kancamagus Highway (Route 112): The “Kanc” as locals call it is a 38-mile stretch of road from Conway to Lincoln.  Well documented among the most scenic fall drives in America, the views along the road are spectacular.  You’ll climb nearly 3,000 feet at the Kancamagus Pass, offering a look at the Osceola Range, Mount Hancock and more. There are numerous chances to pull off at any number of overlooks and scenic areas but be sure to slow down on the curvy switch backs.  Beware; there are no gas stations or commercial stops along this road. You’ll access from Conway, heading south on Route 16/302 or from Lincoln, NH.

North-South Road: Travel from Route 302 near Walmart up to Mechanic Street in North Conway Village, on this road offering peeks at Puddin Pond, with plenty of hillsides in the background filled with color during foliage season The swamp maples tend to be among the early foliage color, turning a brilliant color of red near Puddin Pond with the back side of Cranmore in the distance.

Bear Notch Road: Travel west through Bartlett Village on Route 302 and take a left at the Four Corners up Bear Notch Road. The Bartlett Experimental Forest contributes to this winding drive’s appeal, as do the scenic overlooks along the way. You’ll soon find yourself ending at the Kancamagus Highway, which you can take back to Conway or over to Lincoln.  Go at dusk or at dawn, and the chances of seeing a moose along this road are greater. This road is open only from spring to late fall.

Route 153: You’ll access Route 153 from Route 16/302 in Conway.  At the light, turn onto 153 South and travel through this winding road into Eaton.  Be sure to stop at Crystal Lake Beach to take in one of the most highly photographed fall scenes: the view across the lake to the “Little White Church”, perhaps one of the most quintessential New England scenes you’ve ever seen. Here’s one photo op you won’t want to miss on a sunny day. Continue south if you wish to Purity Spring Resort, where you can turn around or keep going south into Maine.

The White Mountain Trail: The mother of all scenic tours, this 100-mile loop is the only National Scenic Byway loop route. Traveling through varied portions of the White Mountain National Forest, look forward to wetlands, woodlands, mountains and river-views, plus a drive through the region’s spectacular notches and great views of Mount Washington. Starting in Conway on Route 112 (the Kancamagus Highway), follow the Kanc west for about 35 miles to the White Mountain Visitors Center, Route 112, in North Woodstock. From there, take Route 3 north, which soon joins I-93 to travel through Franconia Notch. Continue on Route 3 when it bears away from I-93 at exit 35, and drive to Twin Mountain. Once in Twin Mountain, turn right at the lights onto Route 302 east, and stop for a photo or lunch at the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods. Route 302 keeps going through Crawford Notch to Bartlett Village, then through Glen, and finally, back to Intervale and the scenic vista. From the Scenic Vista, the trail moves south on White Mountain Highway through North Conway Village, to the lights in Conway. Bear right, and travel through Conway Village to end there.  This drive can easily be accomplished in a day, but there are so many fabulous places to stop along the way, you may just want to make a weekend drive of it. 

Be sure to make reservations before arriving in Mt Washington Valley, as this is a very popular time of year for getaways.  As we say to all visitors, “Book now or forever hold your peep!”. For complete trip planning information, visit www.MtWashingtonValley.org for accommodations, dining, tax-free shopping ideas and more.  To learn more about visiting New Hampshire, go to VisitNH.gov.

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Photo of 2020 fall foliage views credited to WiseguyCreative.com or visit

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mwvchamber/albums/ for additional photos.