Exploring New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Park

Spread across New Hampshire and into Maine, the White Mountain National Forest is a slice of heaven for nature lovers. The slopes and trails in the park's mountains and forests attract skiers, hikers and campers. It’s a perfect spot for anyone who is eager to revel in picturesque views and delve into historic sites.

Whether you’re planning an adventure on foot or on skis, it all begins with a road trip through the White Mountain National Park. In this guide, we’ll show you the best places to schuss, slalom and be at one with nature. There’s also a sprinkle of history added into the mix, too.

Heavenly hiking

If you’re a hiking enthusiast, this place will feel like home. With more than 1,200 miles of hiking paths, it includes a section of the legendary Appalachian Trail. With layover towns like Gorham at the foot of the mountains, the Tuckerman Ravine Trail beginning in Pinkham Notch is popular. Although challenging, it’s a great way for experienced hikers to reach the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington for some exceptional vistas.

The Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop is regarded as a difficult hike. The Sabbaday Falls Trail is much easier and runs to the most popular waterfall in the state. Modest trails include Champney Brook Trail and Boulder Loop Trail, both just off Kancamagus Highway.

If you want a trail that’s slightly less challenging, Three Ponds Trail is a combination of easy and moderate hikes and leads to a scenic pond. Moose, black bears and beavers are common sights.

Take to the slopes for world-class skiing

If you love winter sports, you’re not short of options in White Mountain National Park. It's home to six ski areas, four alpine ski areas and 400 miles of trails. If you prefer a slower pace, opt for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing through the forest.

Popular skiing and snowboarding areas include:

• Hermit Lake Shelters
• Wildcat Mountain Ski Resort
• Loon Mountain Ski Resort
• Waterville Valley Ski Area
• Attitash Ski Area
• Black Mountain Ski Trailhead
• Double Head Trailhead

At Loon Mountain, you can hit the slopes on three peaks, rising up to more than 2,000 feet. In Mount Washington Valley, the Attitash Ski Area’s two mountains, Attitash and Bear Peak, are also very popular. Wildcat Mountain in Pinkham Notch offers long trails and spectacularly breathtaking vistas of Mount Washington.

During spring, Tuckerman Ravine attracts skiers who don’t mind a challenge. It’s an experience made even more unique by the lack of ski lifts and the need to carry your own stuff.

Leading snowshoeing trails include Echo Lake Trail and Peaked Mountain Trail near Conway, and Arethusa Falls Trail in Crawford Notch. Greeley Ponds Trail is perfect for cross-country skiing and Bretton Woods Nordic Center boasts a 62-mile trail. This has a cabin and a yurt where skiers can recuperate too.

Snowmobilers can rev up with self-guided snowmobile rentals. The Sawyer River Road Snowmobile Trailhead joins Meadowbrook Trail and Bear Notch Road, if you’re looking for route inspiration.

Drive the Kancamagus Scenic Byway

Your time on the road features colorful scenery, especially during the fall. Take in the view from the comfort of your Hertz rental car along the Kancamagus Scenic Byway. This is also referred to as New Hampshire's Route 112.

The northeast's highest roadway is one of the best places to view the area's stunning fall foliage. The 34.5-mile drive weaves through the forest before climbing to an altitude of 2,900 feet atop Mount Kancamagus. The byway takes you past old bridges, gorgeous scenic views and burbling rivers and streams.

Discover historic sites

On the historical side, you can explore remnants of stone walls, mills and logging camps throughout White Mountain National Forest. On the Kancamagus Highway in Albany, New Hampshire, look out for Russell-Colbath Homestead. The 19th-century farmhouse gives you a chance to see historic artifacts and learn more about the region's history.

Near Bretton Woods, the Fabyan Guard Station, built in 1923 for $75 on Old Cherry Mountain Road near the Fabyan train station, is one of the oldest remaining guard stations in the east of the US. Guards were posted in the one-room, 16-by-20-foot, red spruce log cabin to protect the forest.

Have you scaled the peaks, hiked the trails or skied the slopes of White Mountain National Park? Share your adventures with us on Facebook. And if you’re looking for a coastal alternative, you can explore the New Hampshire coastline in our Hertz travel guide.