The Under-The-Radar Scenic Drive In New Hampshire That Showcases Small Towns, Mountains, And Rivers
By Ken MacGray|Published November 09, 2023
×
Ken MacGray
Author
Hey! I'm a freelance writer and guidebook author. I've authored "New Hampshire's 52 With A View - A Hiker's Guide", serve as editor of Appalachian Mountain Club's "Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide", and and am co-editor of the "White Mountain Guide", also for AMC. I'm currently beginning work on the 6th Edition of AMC's Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide, which will be published in 2025. I live in southern New Hampshire and can usually be found wandering throughout the state's mountains and forests.
Exploring New Hampshire is one of my favorite things to do, both on foot and in the car. There’s just so much to see and experience. Most people who visit here probably stick to the major highways to get to their destination and may miss a lot in doing so. To really get a feel for the Granite State you need to get on to the secondary highways and back country roads. One scenic drive in New Hampshire encompasses much of what makes New Hampshire great, and it’s a trip you should put on your to-do list.
New Hampshire Route 16 begins its 48.6-mile journey in Haverhill, just east of the Connecticut River. It passes Black Mountain State Forest, home to the scenic Black Mountain.
In Whitefield, Route 116 crosses the Johns River. The river takes rise at Cherry Pond and also drains many other small ponds on its 14-mile journey to the Connecticut River.
Route 116's northern terminus is at U.S. Route 2 in the town of Jefferson, home to Cherry Mountain, a prominent ridge that can be seen from many surrounding locations.