When the interstate highway system was first developed, it was a boon for automobile travelers looking to easily expand their horizons beyond their local area. Sure, the freeways give us a way to get from one destination to another quickly, but most times there isn't anything interesting to see as you're whizzing by at high speed. To see the more interesting stuff, you need to need to do what I do and get off the major highways and onto the secondary byways for a back road drive in New Hampshire like this one along Route 25.
This drive is about 37 miles and takes less than an hour to complete without any stops.
Our east-to-west journey begins in the college town of Plymouth, home to Plymouth State University. Its location at the foot of the White Mountains marks a boundary of sorts for the more mountainous terrain further north.
Not far from Plymouth the highway passes Polar Caves Park in Rumney, a popular summer attraction. Visitors can explore a series of nine glacially-formed caves via boardwalks. A bonus in the summer is that the temperature inside the caves serves as natural air conditioning.
Visible from the highway and accessible as an easy side trip is the Wentworth Village Covered Bridge. The current structure replaces the original 1909 truss bridge and carries foot traffic over the Baker River. The pools below the bridge are a popular swimming spot in calm water.
No, you haven't taken a wrong turn into the cold war-era. That really is a decommissioned Redstone Missile on the side of the road in the town of Warren. In 1971, the then-discontinued technology was donated to the town and installed in a public park.
Heading out of Warren, watch for signs indicating the crossing of the 2,190-mile Appalachain Trail. It passes through the town a short distance west of the village of Glencliff. During summer there's a good chance you'll see thru-hikers passing through.
A scenic spot along Route 25 west of Warren that I often stop at is the cliff known as Owl's Head. This high granite wall anchors the small group of mountains known as the Benton Range. Its much larger sibling can be seen on Cannon Mountain in Franconia Notch State Park.
The drive along Route 25 ends in the quiet hamlet of Haverhill. While currently rural in character, Haverhill was once a boomtown for factories, mills, and was well-served by the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad.
This is just one of many fine road trips you can take at any time of the year throughout New Hampshire. What's your favorite back road drive in New Hampshire? Now get those road snacks packed up and get out there!
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-hampshire/best-road-trips-in-new-hampshire/
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