October is a truly special time to be in New England. It seems like the world’s attention turns to the region as fall transforms its already breathtaking landscapes. Other parts of the world experience this of course, but the sheer amount of quality red, orange, and yellow foliage that adorns mountainsides, lakes, scenic farms, and tiny white churches characterize fall charm like nowhere else. Simply put, there’s no better time to take a New England Fall Road Trip.

Each October, New England is littered with autumnal celebrations and festivals (at least when there is not a global pandemic). Rarely do I have an open weekend on my calendar. Events like the Scituate Art Festival offer sights to behold, while Harpoon Oktoberfest is a foodie’s delight.

One can’t forget the countless farms and apple orchards that come to life one last time before winter thanks to treats like apple cider, cider donuts, and once-a-year experiences like apple picking and corn mazes.

Simply viewing the fall foliage is a treat in its own right. Early this October, I was lucky to spend a few days in the White Mountains during this year’s peak foliage with some friends, my Nikon, and a couple of disposable cameras in tow. I called this the first Wicked Weekend tour, as I see it as an outline of the sort of guided tours I hope to give in the future. Think of these highlights as a preview of what’s to come!

New England Fall Road Trip & Tour Highlights

Kancamangus Highway and White Mountain National Forest

First, we visited the Kancamangus Highway by starting on the Conway side. This is a famous 56-mile long scenic byway connects the two New Hampshire towns of Conway and Lincoln. It brings you right smack dab in the middle of the White Mountain National Forest. A pass through this delightful winding road is the most straightforward way to experience panoramic views of the Whites.

The Kanc is one of the most visited destinations in the White Mountains, especially when the leaves are changing. It’s best to make your way there as early in the mornings as you can, as cars can crowd not just the scenic overlooks but turn the entire 56-mile length of the road into a virtual parking lot in both directions. This way, you will have plenty of time to enjoy all the Kanc has to offer.

Simply driving through the Kanc, there are several scenic overlooks, hikes, campgrounds, and picnicking areas to stop at. Definitely pack a lunch or order takeout from Black Mountain Burger Co to take along with you so you are able to adventure through the White Mountains without speeding back into town for food. There is enough to do here to make it an all day affair, so it is best to minimize interruptions.

Sabbaday Falls

While the scenic overlooks are easy to spot along the road, some of the best pull-off spots can be easy to miss thanks to the sheer number of them. Sabbaday Falls is a favorite of mine. This waterfall is a short and easy hike just off the road, so there is no excuse to skip it! Formed by glaciers and years of erosion, the falls have a 45′ drop which can me admired from the base pool or the via wooden railway platforms just above the level of the drop. It is a perfect spot for photos, especially during fall when the base pool reflects the fall colors of the leaves.

Lincoln, the Flume, and Franconia Notch

The end of the Kanc brings you to the town of Lincoln, New Hampshire. Lincoln holds a special place in my heart, as my great-grandparent used to live here and operate cabins. It is home to a charming main street littered with ski shops, as well as Loon Mountain, Clark’s Bear’s, the Hobo Railroad, and in the winter, the NH ice castles. Of course, you have mountains on all sides (you might be sensing a theme here).

Taking a drive down Main Street brings you to I-93, which famously brings you through Franconia Notch. This drive brings you to new heights – and not just because of the ear-popping altitudes. Similarly to the Kanc, this pass of I-93 passes directly through a mountain range with Cannon Mountain and Mount Lafayette looming over you on either side. It brings you within extremely close quarters with the mountains, mere feet from the base of the 5,000+ foot Mount Lafayette and the dramatic cliffs of Cannon Mountain. Numerous roadside attractions give you an excuse to stretch your legs, like Boise Rock or the Basin.

We made our next stop at The Flume Gorge. It is a short, easy hike to a 800 foot gorge at the base of Mount Liberty that is home to impressive water features. The hiking trails begin by taking you past a covered bridge, massive boulders (some with trees growing solely in the cracks of the rocks) and rocky riverways. Shortly in, you’ll come across the gorge itself with 90 foot high granite rocks on both sides and water from Avalanche Fals aggressively rushing through the gorge. A wooden path and stairway brings you up close and personal to the water.

Towards the end of the hike is Sentinel Pine Bridge and Pool. This is arguably the most picturesque part of the hike. As you cross the covered bridge and look down 130 feet blow you, you’ll see yet another waterfall leading to a huge, round pool of water. Decades of couple’s initials are carved into the wood of this bridge. Just a short hike down and off the normal path brings you to a small scenic overlook where you can take spectacular photos of the bridge, waterfall, and pool.

Stay tuned for my next post about our continued leaf peeping tour in Woodstock, Vermont!

As well, save my Wicked Peepin’ Fall Playlist to your mobile device for all the fall ambience you need. For a useful tool to help you find beautiful locations thorughout New England this fall, definitely check out my Google Map List. Of course, before you cross state borders, be sure to be following state travel restrictions, which you can find for all of the New England states here.