KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY

New Hampshire Route 112, nicknamed the Kancamagus Highway, is a remarkable road that winds through the middle of a forest. It connects the Pemigewasset River at Lincoln to the Saco River at Conway via the Kancamagus Pass (920 m). The mountains here perpetuate the names of the Indians who have marked the history of New Hampshire. Passaconaway (meaning Son of the Bear) was a peaceful Indian chief who succeeded in uniting 17 Indian tribes into the Penacook Federation, which he led until 1669. Kancamagus (the fearless), Passaconaway's grandson, tried to bring Indians and immigrants from Europe together. Alas, he had to give up and, under pressure from the English, ended up going into exile in Canada with his followers. Visit the Visitor Center to learn more about the interesting history of this region and pick up a map detailing the many trails and sites of interest along the Kancamagus River. Signs indicate trailheads along the way. Most of them are accessible to all, the signs indicate the distances. A recommended hike is the 2.5-mile Boulder Loop, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. It is also easy to walk around the pretty ponds along the road. In the fall, as you can imagine, the scenery along this route is stunning, no doubt a favorite of travelers! A recreation pass is required to park along the Kancamagus Highway