Snow-capped mountains, sparkling lakes, thick forests, and tumbling waterfalls are all part of the ecology of the White Mountain Region. Stretching into the clouds, Mount Washington is the tallest peak in the Northeast.
Many little hamlets nap in the mountainous cradle. Perhaps the toughest terrain of the Appalachian Trail carves its way through Crawford Notch to the top of Mount Washington and on to Pinkham Notch. Avid hikers follow its lead through rugged paths and awesome beauty.
From Mount Moosilauke in Benton, a panoramic view of the White Mountains, Vermont and the Adirondacks can be seen. The charm continues into Jackson with waterfalls and ski trails, making this one of the most beautiful towns in the region.
The natural resources here promote an active lifestyle. Barlett (composed of Lower Bartlett, Glen, and Intervale villages) hosts explosive year-round activity including horseback riding, mountain boarding, and sky rides in summer and skiing in winter. Kids also enjoy Storyland in Glen.
Other towns linked to recreation include Compton, Ellsworth, Thornton, Twin Mountain and Waterville Valley. The world-renown Bretton Woods Resort is located in the town of Carroll, also home to the Mount Washington Cog Railway.
Certain towns have become the focus of country lore - stories about how Mount Chocorua was named after an Indian Chief killed by the white man on the mountain top, and another about the stone that resembled a man's face on Mount Washington that became known as Franconia's "old man in the mountain". Sadly, however, the stone face fell in the Spring of 2003, breaking the hearts of millions who've come to love him and his story over the years.
The region is marked by four scenic highways. I-93 and Route 16 run north-south, I-93 cutting through Franconia Notch, Route 16 heading into Pinkham Notch. There are also two east-west highways: the Kancamagus Highway into Kankamagus Pass and Route 302 into Crawford Notch. And within this perimeter, lies some of the most spectacular land of the Northeast.