Crawford Notch

Crawford Notch is a narrow pass through the heart of the Presidential Range, a glacier-carved cleft where Route 302 and the Conway Scenic Railroad's Notch Train share the same ledge above the Saco River. The drive from Bartlett to Bretton Woods takes about 45 minutes and passes a series of stops: Silver Cascade, a waterfall that slides down the cliff beside the road; Flume Cascade; the Willey House site, where in 1826 a landslide killed the family who had fled their home, a story that fascinated Hawthorne and later writers; and the Crawford Notch State Park visitor facilities with trailheads. Arethusa Falls, one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in New Hampshire, is a roughly three-mile round-trip hike from the Arethusa Falls trailhead, with a payoff view of the falls dropping about 140 feet. Mount Willard, a gentler hike of around three miles round trip from the Crawford Depot, delivers one of the best ledge views in the mountains for modest effort.

The notch is best taken in two parts. Start from the Bartlett side and stop at Frankenstein Cliff and the trestle viewpoint, named for a painter rather than the monster, then continue north to Silver Cascade and the Willey Brook area. The Saco River headwaters rise here and the road follows a gradual climb to the AMC Highland Center at the top, where you can use the facilities and pick up trail information. Mount Willard and Arethusa Falls both reward an early start because the parking areas fill by midday in summer and fall.

Fall foliage in the notch is dramatic: the surrounding peaks hold color at different elevations, and the Notch Train tracks stand out across the cliffs. In winter the road remains open though conditions can be demanding, and the falls freeze into ice that attracts climbers. In spring the Silver Cascade is at its fullest after snowmelt.

Plan the notch as a half-day drive with one short hike, followed by lunch at Bretton Woods or back in North Conway. If you want to see the notch from a train, the Conway Scenic Railroad's Notch Train covers it with narration, and the Cog Railway base station is a short drive beyond. Check trail conditions and bring water, layers and sturdy shoes before you set off.

Make a decision about the hike before you leave town. Arethusa Falls is the better choice for a waterfall lover who is comfortable on a steady uphill and a rocky trail; the walk takes most people about two hours round trip, with a short scramble near the falls. Mount Willard suits families and anyone who wants a big view for a gentler effort, with a wide carriage-road grade and a ledge at the top that frames the notch. Both are popular, so an early start protects your parking.

Pack water, a snack and a rain layer, and carry a map or download directions offline because the signal is weak in the notch. If you prefer to stay in the car, the roadside stops at Silver Cascade and Flume Cascade still deliver the drama. Rail fans can watch for the Notch Train on the cliffside tracks and the Frankenstein Trestle, a photogenic crossing on the Maine Central line. Treat the weather seriously here, because notch conditions shift fast and afternoon storms are common in summer.