Best Motorcycle Roads & Destinations in New Hampshire, United States

Despite being one of the smaller states along the northeast coast of the United States, New Hampshire or “the Granite State” can be an ideal place to have a motorcycle trip. As you travel on its highways, you will find that many of New Hampshire’s natural features include rugged mountains, crystal clear lakes, and hilly or rocky terrain. Aside from its most prominent landmark, Mt. Washington, you will also be able to ride along the Atlantic Coast.

If you are not yet ready to head to New Hampshire, this article will help point you in the right direction towards this state’s more well-known motorcycle roads and destinations.

Distance: 36 miles
Time: 54 minutes
Start: Lincoln
End: Conway

Starting from within the White Mountain National Forest, you head eastward away from Lincoln. After you clear East Branch Pemigewasset River, you may get the chance to explore Lincoln Woods Trailhead, Discovery Trail, East Pond Trailhead, and Greeley Pond Trailhead.

Further along, you will be able to climb up Hancock Overlook, Pemigewasset Overlook, and CL Graham Wangan Overlook to get a better look at the surrounding wilderness. As you travel parallel to Swift River, you will catch sight of Sugar Hill Scenic Vista, Sabbaday Falls Observation Site, Rocky Gorge Scenic Area, and the Lower Falls.

Continuing to wind around Swift River, you will cross over Albany Covered Bridge. You will be able to explore Boulder Loop Trailhead and South Moat Mountain Trailhead before you exit the wilderness, finally arriving in Conway.

Recognized as the highest highway in the northeast, this route is capable of reaching heights of nearly 3,000 feet above sea level. Other notable historical sites you may be able to visit during your ride include the Passaconaway Historic Site and the Russell-Colbath Historic Homestead. 

Distance: 30 miles
Time: 1 hour
Start: Amesbury, MA
End: Portsmouth, NH

Starting in Amesbury, you have the opportunity to check out the exhibits at Macy-Colby House, Mary Baker Eddy Historic House, and Industrial History Center. Heading eastward on Elm Street and Beach Road, you will encounter Salisbury Salt Marsh Wildlife Management. Eventually, you will make it to the Atlantic Coast.

Turning northward onto Route 1A, you will pass by Salisbury Beach before you cross over back into New Hampshire. Continuing to travel north, you will come close to Seabrook Dunes and Beach, Blackwater River, and Bound Rock.

After you cross over Hampton Bridge, you will come across Hampton Beach State Park, Hampton Salt Marsh Conservation Area, North Beach, North Hampton Beach, Bass Beach, Sawyer Beach, Jenness Beach, Foss Beach, and Wallis Sand Beach as you keep heading up.

As you turn inland, you will have the chance to check out the Seacoast Science Center, Odiorne Point State Park, Sagamore Creek Headlands, Sagamore Creek, and Piscataqua River. You will then arrive in Portsmouth.

Distance: 8 miles
Time: 26 minutes
Start: Glen House
End: Mt. Washington Summit

Before you leave Glen House, you should check out the exhibits at Douglas A. Philbrook Red Barn Museum. You will then embark westward and begin your climb towards the summit of Mount Washington.

As you swerve within the White Mountain National Forest, you will be able to explore the wilderness by heading up the Appalachian Trail, Madison Gulf/Old Jackson Road North Trailhead, Chandler Brook Trailhead, and Alpine Garden Trailhead.

Crawling up to the highest point in New Hampshire, you will catch sight of the Lizzie Bourne Memorial and delve deep into the heart of Mount Washington State Park. This route is not recommended for those with a fear of heights as the road gets narrower the higher up you go. 

Distance: 16 miles
Time: 26 minutes
Start: Warren
End: North Woodstock

While you are still in Warren, you can check out the landmark known as the Redstone Rocket. You also can grab a quick bite at either Calamity Jane’s or Moose Scoops Ice Cream. You will then embark northward via North Hampshire Route 118 which will have you traveling parallel to Baker River.

Delving into the western region of the White Mountain National Forest, you will be able to explore the wilderness by hiking up either Hubbard Brook Trailhead, Mcvetty Trail System, or Raven Lodge Trailhead.

Most of your surroundings will be dense woodlands with views of the mountain tops in the distance. The route will have plenty of sharp, twisty turns with undulations and s-turns that climb and drop down the hilly terrain.

Distance: 35 miles
Time: 54 minutes
Start: Conway
End: Sanbornville

Embarking from Conway by traveling south via New Hampshire Route 153, you should be able to catch sight of Pequawket Pond and Conway Lake. Further along Eaton Road, you will pass by Dolloff Pond and Crystal Lake.

As you continue heading down, you will pass by Hatch Pond, Long Pond, Purity Lake, Freedom Town Forest, Berry Bay, and Ossipee River. When you make a temporary transition via New Hampshire Route 25, you should be able to catch sight of Turtle Rock and Strangeville.

Continuing back onto New Hampshire Route 153, you will wind around Green Mountain State Forest, Province Lake, Belleau Lake, Balch Pond, Pine River Pond, and Great East Lake. You will finally arrive in Sanbornville/

Distance: 148 miles
Time: 3 hours 9 minutes
Start: Newry, ME
End: Newry, ME

Heading northwest on Route 26, you will first come across Step Falls Preserve and Mahoosuc Public Reserve Land. You will cut through Grafton Notch State Park then you will be able to get a glimpse at both Moose Caves and Old Speck Mountain.

After you pass the Maine-New Hampshire border, you will come across Umbagog Lake State Park, Sargent Cove, and Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge. After arriving in Errol, you will have reached the northern tip of the loop.

Turning southward via Route 16, you will pass by Mollidgewock State Park, Androscoggin State Park, Bofinger Wildlife Management Area, Milan Town Forest, Nansen Wayside Park, and Alpine Cascades. You will travel parallel to Bear Brook and Androscoggin River.

Turning back towards Newry, you will ride atop U.S. Route 2 just on the northern edge of White Mountain National Forest. Continuing to travel parallel to Androscoggin River, you will encounter Shelburne Town Forest and Maine Mineral and Gem Museum.

Distance: 29 miles
Time: 57 minutes
Start: Nashua
End: Nashua

If you choose to explore Nashua, you will have the chance to check out Greeley Park, Mine Falls Park, Fields Grove, Morgan’s Mire, and Roussel Memorial Field. Embarking southwest via Route 111, you will travel parallel to the Nashua River.

Reaching the southern tip of the loop, you will turn northward via Route 122 after you have crossed over into Massachusetts for a short time. You will be near Nissitissit Meadows, Beaver Brook, Tenney Meadow, Silver Lake State Park, Spalding Park Town Forest, Millicent Scott Gardner Memorial, Big Dickerman Town Forest, and Little Dickerman Town Forest.

Beginning the return trip, you will travel southeast via Route 101A after clearing Amherst. You will be within the vicinity of Ponemah Bog Wildlife Refuge, Stump Pond, Round Pond, and Northwest Conservation Land. You will soon find your way back to Nashua. 

Distance: 30 miles
Time: 38 minutes
Start: Colebrook
End: Umbagog Lake

Departing eastward from Colebrook via Route 26, you will encounter the Coos Trail before you begin to travel parallel to the Mohawk River. Further along, you will come across Tabletop Rock, Lake Gloriette, Dixville Notch State Park, Cascade Brook, and Huntington Falls.

Continuing along towards the southeast, you will travel parallel to Bear Brook. You will catch sight of Akers Pond, Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, Androscoggin Wayside Park, Mollidgewock State Park, and Umbagog Lake State Park. This route will end at the New Hampshire-Maine border.

Distance: 33 miles
Time: 52 minutes
Start: Hollis
End: Jaffrey

Leaving Hollis behind by heading north via Route 122, you will pass by Silver Lake State Park, Spalding Park Town Forest, Millicent Scott Gardner Memorial, Big Dickerman Town Forest, Little Dickerman Town Forest. You will then turn west along Route 101A which will take you close to Kaley Park, Curtis Well, Keyes Memorial Park.

Traveling parallel to the Souhegan River, you will transition onto Route 101 while continuing to head west. You will be within the vicinity of Wilton Town Forest, Scott Land, Sheldrick Forest Preserve, and Miller State Park.

For the last leg of the trip, you will transition onto U.S. Route 202 which will point you towards the southwest. You will travel parallel to Contoocook River which will take you beside Moore Parcel, Howard Memorial Park, and Cheshire Pond. You will soon find yourself arriving in Jaffrey. 

Distance: 40 miles
Time: 59 minutes
Start: Brattleboro, VT
End: 10 Sun Cliff Drive, NH

After leaving Brattleboro, you will cross over the Connecticut River and begin to head south on Brattleboro Road. For this section, you will come close to Wantastiquet Mountain Natural Area, Vernon Street Wetland, and Hinsdale Town Park.

You will then turn east while traveling parallel to the Ashuelot River. You will curve around the southern tip of Pisgah State Park. After you have cleared Winchester, you will pass by Musterfield Park, Bennet Gorge, Quint Preserve, and Barden State Wildlife Management Area.

For the last leg of this trip, you will continue to head east which will take you close to Morgan Reserve Association Open Space, Stearns-Lamont Forest, Fosket Wildlife Refuge, and Converse Meadow. This route will end when you reach the edge of the border between New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Distance: 31 miles
Time: 47 minutes
Start: East Concord
End: New Hampton

Within the urban area just north of East Concord, you will be able to check out Turtle Pond, Merrimack River, Penacook Riverside Park, and Holt Road Marsh State Wildlife Management Area. Shortly after you exit the edges of the city, you will come across Hannah Duston Memorial State Historic Site and Muchyedo Banks.

As you continue to head northward, you will pass by Hutchins Forest, Ayers State Forest, and Northfield Town Forest. When you arrive in Tilton, you get the chance to admire the Memorial Arch of Tilton, Arch Park, and Riverfront Park.

After a short transition via U.S. Route 3, you will return to heading upward atop Route 132. You will be within proximity to Cawley Pond, Sanbornton Town Forest, Hermit Lake, Spectacle Pond, and Pinnacle Park. After swerving on roads with minor cracks and bumps, you will finally make it to New Hampton.

Distance: 62 miles
Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Start: Mason, NH
End: Westminster, VT

Departing from Mason, you will head northwest via Routes 123 and 45 which will take you close to Russell-Abbott State Forest, Greenville Reservoir, and Marshall State Forest. Transitioning onto Route 101, you will begin to wind around towards the northwest which will pass by Miller State Park and Casalis State Forest.

Returning to riding atop Route 123, you will navigate a wide swerve towards the northwest. You will come close to Evas Marsh State Wildlife Management Area, Carpenter Marsh State Wildlife Management Area, John Kulish Forest, Hosmer State Wildlife Management Area, Daniel Upton Forest, and Pierce Wildlife & Forest Preservation.

For the final stretch of the route, you will be within the vicinity of Kinson State Wildlife Management Area, Elizabeth Burns McIntire Forest, Lake Warren, and Mill Pond Nature Sanctuary. After passing these areas, you will finally arrive in Westminster after crossing over the New Hampshire-Vermont border.

New Hampshire road laws state that motorcycle helmets must be worn by those under the age of 18. To offer the best protection for your head, you should opt for either a three-quarter or full-face helmet.

Although motorcycle helmets are made of durable fiberglass, they can still take significant damage if subjected to blows several times. If there are visible cracks along the exterior, face shield, visor, etc., it may be a good idea to get a new motorcycle helmet before you set out. 

If a family member, friend, or anyone else wishes to ride with you, s/he is required to put on a motorcycle helmet if s/he is below 18 years old. Otherwise, if you passenger is an adult, you dictate who is allowed to get on your motorcycle and whether the passenger must don protective headgear

The safest way to travel with a passenger is to have either a separate passenger seat or sidecar installed. Without either one, your passenger would be forced to hang onto you, which would endanger both of you when riding.

If you are a New Hampshire resident, you must bring your motorcycle to an approved inspection station within 10 days after registering the vehicle. Going forward, you will have to bring your motorcycle to an approved inspection station every year within 10 days after your birth month.

It is best to avoid riding your motorcycle if there are any indications that it may not be 100% functional. Any faulty equipment could result in a fatal accident such as if you are unable to brake immediately or illuminate your position at night.

Because the possibility of getting into an accident outweighs the benefit of getting to your destination quicker, New Hampshire declares lane splitting to be illegal.

If you need a reference in case you have trouble recalling New Hampshire’s motorcycle laws, you can check out this link . 

While the unknown sometimes can be scary, you will find the exhilaration of exploring places you have never been to before in New Hampshire on your motorcycle will soon dispel your fears. When you venture forth on your motorcycle trip, you are not just another motorcyclist; you are also an explorer. Even if the roads you navigate have been traveled on before, you can indulge your curiosity and check out the mysteries waiting for you in New Hampshire.