Skiing & SnowboardingFall Foliage In New England:
A leaf-peepers heaven! During fall foliage season Mother Nature creates a colorful splendor that you simply won't find anywhere else. Keene has become a second home for many folks who like to enjoy a nice drive through the many scenic routes in the area.
There are also numerous walking paths if you prefer a slower approach to the foliage. Pictured at right is an example of the foliage that you can find at the Ashuelot River Park located on West St in Keene.
Interactive Foliage Tour:
We have constructed an interactive foliage tour that gives you a chance to visit some of the more popular area locations first-hand. The tour requires that you have the Free Flash Player Plugin. If you do not have it you can download it here.
Popular Foliage Routes:
If you know of a great route for viewing the fall foliage that isn't listed below, please tell us about it and we will be sure to include it.
- Leave Keene on Route 101 East. You’ll pass through Dublin, home of Yankee Magazine, and then to Peterborough. In Peterborough switch to Route 202 South and travel through Jaffrey to the small town of West Rindge. Turn right on to Route 119 and travel through the pretty town of Fitzwilliam to Winchester where you turn onto Route 10 North back to Keene.
- Travel east on Route 9 and you will reach Hillsborough, NH. If you are unfamiliar with New Hampshire's roads be prepared to find yourself traveling on several different roads at the same time. For example, if you are riding on Main Street in Concord, consider yourself on Routes 9, 202 and 3! Small ponds which are muddied by lily pads and algae dot the landscape and mix with the scent of tall pine trees along the water's edge. Breathe deeply as you take in all the greenery and barnyard smells. Keep an eye on the open ponds, you may spot a moose or two this time of year. In New Hampshire, "We brake for Moose!"
- Route 118 in Warren to Route 112 into Woodstock is always fantastic with lots of overlooks. Then you can either go Route 3N into Franconia Notch or stay on Route 112 (Kancamaugus Highway) into North Conway. It's a beautiful drive and there's always a good chance of seeing moose on Route 118, and again on Route 112!
- Route 145 from Colebrook to Pittsburg then Route 3 to the Canadian border offers a spectacular view of the fall colors in the northern reaches of New Hampshire.
- Route 26 through Dixville Notch includes a great show of fall colors.
- Take Route 16 in Pinkham Notch to Berlin to Route 110N in Groveton to Route 3S in Lancaster to Route 2 in Gorham. This drive includes some great views of the northern Presidential Mountains.
- Route 142 from Bethlehem to Franconia to Route 117 from Franconia to Sugar Hill has some of the greatest color in the state.
- The drive through the Kancamagus Scenic Byway to Route 302 in Crawford Notch to Franconia Notch State Parkway passes through the heart of the White Mountains where the "Old Man of the Mountain" was located.
- Route 118 takes you along the hills of Mount Moosilauke. Take Exit 32 off Interstate 93 in North Woodstock and head west on Route 112. Travellers may even be able to see a moose or two.
- Route 117 takes through Franconia Notch and Sugar Hill. To get there, take Exit 38 off I-93. Route 117 meets up with Route 302 in Lisbon. This road takes you into Bath, where there is a covered bridge that crosses the Ammonoosuc River. You can cross the bridge and drive along some back roads that have some spectacular views of the fall foliage.
- Route 116 takes you from Franconia through the Easton Valley. You can pick up this route by heading straight across the intersection once you get off I-93 at Exit 38. Route 116 intersects with Route 112. If you head west, you will go through a section of the White Mountain National Forest. This road follows the Wild Ammonoosuc River. If you head east on Route 112, you will come into Kinsman Notch. Route 112 becomes the Kancamagus Highway at the Lincoln/Woodstock town line.
- Routes 142 and 302 is a winding, wooded road which ends up in Bethlehem. You can connect with this road at Exit 37 off I-93 in Franconia. Route 302 heads into Littleton or over to Crawford Notch by way of Twin Mountain, past the Bretton Woods Ski Area, the Mount Washington Hotel and the road to the Cog Railway, which climbs up Mount Washington.
