The Appalachian Trail: This 2,100-mile trail from Georgia to Maine includes some of the most spectacular scenery in northern New England. The trail enters the region in southwest Vermont, winding through the southern Green Mountains before angling toward the White Mountains of New Hampshire. From here, it passes by remote Maine lakes and through hilly timberlands before finishing up on the summit of Mount Katahdin.
Connecticut River (Vermont and New Hampshire): The broad, lazy Connecticut River forms the border between New Hampshire and Vermont, and it's a joy to travel along. You'll find wonderful vistas, peaceful villages, and evidence of the region's rich history when the river served as a highway for northern New England. Today, it's a hidden gem of a destination.
Franconia Notch (New Hampshire): This rocky defile, through the craggiest part of the White Mountains, is spectacular to drive through, but it's even more wondrous if you stop and explore on foot or bike. Hike the flanking ridges, bike the pathway along the valley floor, or just lounge in the sun at the edge of Echo Lake.
Tuckerman Ravine (New Hampshire): This glacial cirque high on the flanks of Mount Washington (New England's highest peak) seems part medieval, part Alps, and entirely otherworldly. Snows blown across the upper lip throughout the winter accumulate to depths of 70 feet or more. In spring, skiers trek here from throughout the country to challenge its sheer face, and hikers find snow in its vast bowl well into summer.
