New Hampshire, like Vermont on it's western border, is a treasure trove of beautifully scenic motorcycle rides. The Granite State lives up to its name as being rocky, and is also generally hilly (home to the highest peak in the northeastern US, Mt. Washington, at 6,288 ft), densely wooded, boasts 1,300 lakes and ponds, and is blessed with a small but beautiful 13 miles of Atlantic coastline. We've linked to many fantastic places, from tourist attractions including museums, to informational sites, and much more. We hope this provides you with the information you are seeking for your motorcycle journey through NH!
Rt 1A - The Seacoast Highway
State: New Hampshire
Motorcycle Type: 08 Kaw Vulcan Classic
Motorcycle Road Length: 22 Miles
"...smooth surface, my favorite road in all of New England! ... Overall, this is a very motorcycle friendly area. High concentration of resident bike owners ... a great place to ride!!"
Motorcycle Road Scenery:
Starting at MA state line, 50% of this ride is directly on the waterfront. Nothing between you and the crashing waves! A classic northeastern coastal run.
Motorcycle Road Quality:
After the first couple of miles of cottages and Hampton Beach, the road twists most of the way to Portsmouth. Smooth surface, my favorite road in all of New England!
Motorcycle Roadside Amenities:
This is a short road, with areas to stop view the ocean and seasonal places to eat. Need any parts or accessories for your bike while you're there? Seacoast Harley Davidson is located right on Rte 1 in North Hampton, just a stones throw from this ride. As you ride up through Rye, we tecommend Petey's Summertime Seafood and Bar for the freshest seafood around, and the Isle of Shoals is a great attraction, but you'll have to step off your bike and hop a boat to check it out close up! Everything you could need or want year round is within 15 minutes inland off the road. At the far end is Portsmouth one of the best restaurant towns in New England. Another nice pitstop if you need any gear not far off the beaten path, located on Cafe St. is Motorbikes Plus. Overall, this is a very motorcycle friendly area. High concentration of resident bike owners ... a great place to ride!
New Hampshire Backroads Tour - Route 13N to 114N
State: New Hampshire
Motorcycle Type: VTX 1300
Motorcycle Road Length: 32 Miles
"...absolutely beautiful back road scenery on this trip... rivers, lakes, fields, farms, nice people, animals, parks ... lots of great stops along the way... great bars, taverns and restaurants all privately owned ... Stop in to Milwaukee Ironworks for bike parts and accessories, and then for a bite to eat at Kiki's Restaurant and the Gravity Tavern in New Boston!
Motorcycle Road Scenery:
Absolutely beautiful back road scenery. Rivers, lakes, fields, farms, nice people, animals, parks.
Motorcycle Road Quality:
Most of the roads have been paved recently, so there is no problems. Windy, hilly, great relaxing ride.
Motorcycle Roadside Amenities:
Lots of great stops along the way. Great bars, taverns and restaurants all privately owned. Can accommodate lots of bikers at once. In Weare, NH you'll find Clough State Park located about five miles east of town. The park is located on the shore of Everett Lake, a 150-acre lake formed by a dam on the Piscataquog River. Plenty to do at the park such as picnicking, swimming, fishing, boating, etc.
Central New Hampshire Tour - Rte 132
State: New Hampshire
Motorcycle Type: 06 Yamaha FZ6
Motorcycle Road Length: 31 Miles
"Nice long twisty road, great for all seasons, watch for some wildlife. Very scenic in fall. From Sanbornton north it gets very fun, watch for critters and slow locals. Great fishing holes on the way."
Motorcycle Road Scenery:
Mostly tree-lined for the first part from Concord, some open fields with a mix of small suburban homes, some commercial structures, mostly just fun curvy type road, along the way you will see signs for historic Canterbury Shaker Village a wonderful trip into NH's past, a must-see if you have the time. There are several side roads that lead to various other small towns along the way, so a map is essential, very easy to get lost, so pay attention. I-93 is always to your left (as you go north), so if you need a major highway there are several ways to get to I-93 along the way.
Motorcycle Road Quality:
Road conditions vary depending on the season, all is paved, so no dirt or gravel worries, portions are somewhat broken due to our lovely winters freeze/thaw cycle, so mid-summer is best, when you get above Sanbornton it has been freshly-paved and very good. There will be the occasional "teeth jarring" on some sections, but all things considered, for NH roads, I'd rate a 7 out of 10.
Motorcycle Roadside Amenities:
N/A
"Kank-run" Through the White Mountains
State: New Hampshire
Motorcycle Type: 94 CBR 900
Motorcycle Road Length: 35 Miles
... about 60 miles north of Concord you will find a kick-butt ride off of Interstate 93 that travels through the White Mountains ... this route drives through one of the most scenic areas in beautiful New Hampshire through a mountain pass and a covered bridge.
Motorcycle Road Scenery:
About 60 miles north of Concord you will find a kick-butt route off of Interstate 93 that travels through the White Mountains. The road is officially called the Kancamagus Highway (pronounced Can-cuh-mog-us) but it is more often referred to as the "Kanc."
This route drives through one of the most scenic areas in beautiful New Hampshire, the White Mountain National Forest. Its views are spectacular from the many lookout points and the area is stunning in the fall. The path takes you through a mountain pass and a covered bridge. You'll also get to see some great river views because the route follows a river called the Swift.
Motorcycle Road Quality:
Overall a great motorcycle road with plenty of twisties and climbs to keep your throttle wrist happy. If you are wondering about driving conditions call the Appalachian Mountain Club.
Motorcycle Roadside Amenities:
There are 6 public campgrounds along the route. They all include restrooms and drinking water but no electricity.
There is a New Hampshire Visitor's Center at the start of the route on 112.
Make sure you pull over at the Sabbaday Falls Picnic Area and take the short little hike (about 1/2 mile) to see a cool waterfall.
The Passaconaway Historic Site is named after a great Indian leader who gathered a bunch of Indian tribes together and created a confederacy to fight with the intruding "pale-faces" (white men). There is a really neat house at this historical site called the Russell-Colbath Historic Homestead (they say it's the only one ever built here) where there is a legend of a husband that left home one day to go for a walk. Apparently he never returned and for 39 years his wife lit a lantern and left it on the porch to help him find his way back. He showed up 3 years later after she died. You can tour the house and here more about the legend. There is also a nice little short trail that starts out at the house and goes along a little river.
Another cool place to see is the Rocky Gorge Scenic Area. Here you'll see some waterfalls and a pretty cool looking gorge.
Keep driving up (east) on 112 and stop at the Boulder Loop Trail that starts by the covered bridge. At the end of this trail you'll see some pretty awesome looking scenery that was created by huge glaciers plowing back to the north.
You can also find many arts, crafts and antique shops along this route.
Reviews Courtesy of www.motorcycleroads.com. Edited by NHProEquip.com.
