Best Way to Grafton Notch

[HockeyPuck]

This should probably be a poll but I wanted to get recommendations as to the best route from the Manchester / Concord area to Grafton Notch..

A: Success pond Rd - It appears to be the least mileage, how are road conditions?

B: Rt 16 to Milan then take 26 south - Seems to be the longest

C: Rt 2 to Maine then take 26 North - Seems to be the best.

D: Some other route I didn't think of..

Any and all input is appreciated.

 

[SteveHiker]

I would vote for option C. That's the way I go. Took a little less than 3 hours last time, counting one rest stop and the fact that route 2 was torn up for some distance for construction.

 

[bobandgeri]

Well - from Southern NH, both MapQuest and MSN say the quickest route is Rte 101 over to Rte 95 North to the Maine Turnpike to Exit 63 to Gray, the Rte 202 to Rte 26.

When we go there we take 93 North to Exit 35, then Rte 3 to Rte 115 to Rte 2 to Bethel, then Rte 26. It's about the same distance, but we enjoy the drive on Rte 2.

From Merrimack it's a little under 3 1/2 hours.

 

[marty]

Dear Hockey Puck,
I also concur with Option C. Option A is a bear with the road conditions. Option B is longer, but very pretty. Option C also gives you the opportunity to stop by the Sunday River Brewery, on Route 2, right at the corner of the Sunday River Ski Resort turnoff. Marty

 

[bobandgeri]

PS - if you are going to be staying overnight and want a good campground, check out Stony Brook, or Bethel Outdoor Adventure . They are both open year round.

 

[MtnMagic]

Are you looking for the best scenic drive or the quickest way? Going from Gorham, NH on Rte 2 to Bethel to Rte 26 Grafton Notch, which has wonderful rural towns, is more than twice the distance than taking Success Pond Road to Grafton Notch. Success Pond Road is in good shape but with rocks protruding a few inches in places. Compared to Dolly (Pinkham B) Copp Road Success Pond Road is about 14 miles in length and about the same condition with less sharp corners. One should keep well to the right side around corners as logging trucks use it regurlarly. There are clear cut areas that will likely cause you to shake your head. I and the other locals use it as the short cut to Maine. No doubt Rte 2 and Rte 26 has the scenery of beautiful rural New England.

Try to find the time to visit the waterfalls on Rte 26. There are 2 at Step Falls on Wright Brook on the Step Falls trail. Mother Walker Falls and most definitely not to be missed is the massive Screw Auger Falls. Grafon Notch is a marvelous place. Enjoy!

 

[Waumbek]

2 > 26, no question.

 

[post'r boy]

i voted ...d
hike to it from the south or from the north!!

 

[arghman]

Well - from Southern NH, both MapQuest and MSN say the quickest route is Rte 101 over to Rte 95 North to the Maine Turnpike to Exit 63 to Gray, the Rte 202 to Rte 26.

Mapquest and Google Maps are frequently silly or flaky. (Google Maps more so than Mapquest, I've found.) In Mapquest try looking for directions from Newbury NH to Gorham NH, and from Gorham NH to Newbury NH. They send you in completely different directions.

 

[MtnMagic]

The map engines do not even know about Success Pond Road. And btw Success Pond Road is twice as wide as Dolly (Pinkham B) Copp Road. If you're heading up to Old Speck from Grafton Notch you'll be treated to lovely cascades on the way up.

 

[amstony]

option C is the best route. Easy to find, took me about 3 hours from Nashua, including Rt 2 in Maine being repaved at the time.

 

[Double Bow]

Option C, most definately...