Kancamagus Highway (NH 112 through the White Mountains of New Hampshire)

The Kancamagus Highway is a portion of NH 112 spanning from Conway to Lincoln through the scenic White Mountains of New Hampshire. Locally known as the "Kanc", the 34.5-mile drive is a recognized National Scenic Byway, offering travelers an abundance of history and spectacular beauty in addition to being considered one of the best fall foliage viewing areas in the world. The road opened up one of the last unconquered wilderness areas in New Hampshire, a region that the 1850 state Gazetteer called "unfit for human habitation." The two lane highway links the valleys of the Merrimack, Pemigewasset and Saco rivers, crossing over Kancamagus Pass at 2,855 feet in elevation, winding through some of the most difficult and gorgeous terrain in the state. A number of scenic vistas are found along the way offering remarkable views of the surrounding White Mountains, Swift River, Lower Falls and Rocky Gorge. You will not find services through much of the drive, until you get to Lincoln, but you will find plenty of opportunities to take a hike of various lengths to places like Sabbaday Falls, Champney Falls and Mount Hedgehog.

The Kancamagus Highway was named after the last sagamore, or chief, of the Penacooks, who dominated a confederation of indigenous tribes living in New Hampshire in the 17th Century. By 1685, when Kancamagus became sagamore, the Penacooks were only a shadow of what they had been. Kancamagus and his predecessors tried to live in peace with the English settlers, but they were betrayed and humiliated. Kancamagus tried to keep the peace for the Penacook Confederacy. However, around 1691, the white Englishmen brought war and violence to the region. Kancamagus led the Penacook Confederacy and left the area heading north to what is now the Canadian border region of New Hampshire.

The highway started as two small town roads, two unconnected roads in Passaconaway and Lincoln. The road to Passaconaway was completed in the year 1837. One hundred years later in 1937, these two town roads were extended in both directions from Passaconaway and Lincoln and were later connected. Staked out and built partly by CCC workers during the Great Depression, it took two decades to carve a road through fir shaded glens and over boulder choked rivers. A supervisor sent from Washington once reported back thus: "Quality of work: Excellent. Morale of workers: High. Progress of construction: Negligible."

Federal Forest Highway No. 8, as it was then known, was finally turned over to the state of New Hampshire in 1957. When New Hampshire Highway Commissioner John Morton wrote to federal officials in 1957, urging them to approve funds for completion of the highway, he listed the reasons in order of priority: first the concerns of local lumber and paper companies who wanted access to logging areas; then fire protection; then the value of an east-west shortcut for commercial truckers; and finally, almost as an afterthought, he mentioned recreation. It lies entirely within the White Mountain National Forest, but is maintained by state highway crews, opening to through traffic in 1959. The highway became so popular, and was somewhat dangerous as a dirt road, so it was recommended it be paved. The paving of the highway was approved and was paved in 1964. Even though it was paved, the highway was closed in the winter months until 1968 when it was plowed for the first time. Today, the Kancamagus Highway is a valuable through route crossing the White Mountains and recreational opportunities are among the top reasons for travelers to visit this wonderful road.

Tourist map of the Kancamagus Highway (courtesy of GreatRuns.com) that are also available at the New Hampshire welcome centers from time to time.

Let's begin our scenic tour of the Kancamagus Highway from east to west, starting from NH 16 in Conway and across the White Mountains to I-93 in Lincoln.

The Kancamagus Highway begins at NH 16 in Conway if you are going west. This NH 112 shield is one of the first things you see when driving the byway.

Brake for moose. It could save your life. Plenty of these signs in New Hampshire and plenty of moose to avoid striking in New Hampshire as well.

No gas along the highway, but plenty of trees.

A roadside pulloff will lead you to this sign explaining a brief history of the Kancamagus Highway and the man the highway was named after, Kancamagus.

You'll start to see mountains in the distance.

A popular attraction just off the Kancamagus Highway is the Albany Covered Bridge. Located roughly six miles west of Conway along the Swift River, the Albany Covered Bridge is a 120 foot long Paddleford truss covered bridge that was initially built in 1858, but was destroyed by a storm a year later which flooded the Swift River and swept away the new bridge. 

Approaching the Lower Falls of the Swift River.

Swift River looking east from Lower Falls.

Lower Falls.

A little further upstream on the Swift River (and at another roadside pull-off from the Kancamagus Highway) is Rocky Gorge.

Rocky Gorge.

Back on the road.

The Russell-Colbath House was built in 1832 and is the only original structure left from the town of Passaconaway.

Sabbaday Falls is a short hike away from the Kancamagus Highway. Apparently someone was getting married at the waterfall that day.

Sabbaday Falls is a multi-tiered waterfall and there are plenty of places to observe the various cascades.

A classic car looms along the Kancamagus Highway.

Views from the Sugar Hill Vista.

The Sugar Hill Vista has great views of Mt. Tremont, Owl Cliff, Bear Mountain and Sugar Hill itself.

The C.L. Graham Wangan Ground scenic vista is the next overlook that you encounter.

Approaching Kancamagus Pass at 2,855 feet above sea level.

It's all downhill from here. But first, let's stop at the Pemigewasset Overlook, or "Pemi" to those who know the local lingo.

The Pemigewasset Overlook has some great views of the Osceolas.

The Pemigewasset Overlook has some great views of the Osceolas.

Let's enjoy our downward descent.

One last look at the Osceolas.

Approaching Lincoln, New Hampshire. Lincoln is home to Loon Mountain, which is a popular ski area.

As we approach I-93, the Kancamagus Highway starts to draw to a close. However, NH 112 continues past US 3 in North Woodstock and goes through some more scenic territory on its way to US 302 and NH 10 in Bath, New Hampshire.

How to Get There:


Sources and Links:
White Mountains New Hampshire - Kancamagus Highway
KancamagusHighway.com - History of the the Kancamagus Highway in NH
New England Today - How the Kancamagus Highway Got Its Name and How to Pronounce It
New England Today - The Kancamagus Highway | History of New Hampshire’s Scenic Corridor
Welcome to North Conway, NH - Kancamagus Highway Attractions & Map for 2020