Lakes Region Scenic Byways

The Lakes Region Tour

Length: 97 miles  Towns: Alton, Ashland, Center Harbor, Gilford, Holderness, Laconia, Meredith, Moultonborough, New Hampton, Ossipee, Sandwich, Tamworth, Tuftonboro and Wolfeboro  Highlights: Circumnavigate Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire’s largest lake, and stop for a mountain hike, a walk through the region’s friendly downtown areas, or a visit to a historical museum. Or cruise the Big Lake on the M/S Mount Washington.  Website: lakesregion.org

The Lakes Region Scenic Byway circles Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest and most popular lake in New Hampshire. Beginning in Alton, the route follows NH Rte. 11 north through Alton Bay up through Gilford. This western side of the lake features exceptional views of both the lake and the Ossipee Range, and offers numerous recreational opportunities. Hike to the summit of Mt. Major for wonderful views of the Lake and surrounding mountain ranges, or stop at Ellacoya State Park for a picnic or a swim. Weirs Beach, with its amusement parks, arcades, and shopping, is one of the most popular family resort areas in the state. This area of the Lakes Region Tour is always bustling with activity. A few miles to the north, you’ll view scenic gateways to Meredith‘s traditional New England village with a panorama of Lake Winnipesaukee and the White Mountains to the north.

The route can be followed via Rte. 25 to the quaint lakeside village of Center Harbor and on to Moultonborough before choosing to either continue on Rte. 25 to explore the Ossipee Lake area or travel south on NH Rte. 109 to experience the charm of the less developed eastern side of Lake Winnipesaukee to Wolfeboro, known as the “Oldest Summer Resort in America.”

The Branch River Valley Trail journeys through the small rural towns of Wakefield and Milton, and on to the Maine border. Take a walking or bike tour through the town of Wakefield or learn more about the agricultural heritage of New Hampshire at the New Hampshire Farm Museum.

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The Lakes Loop

Length: 134 miles (approximately) From the town docks in Meredith on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, turn east on NH Rte. 25 to Center Harbor and Moultonborough, where you’ll head south on NH Rte. 109, a windy route that offers frequent glimpses of the Big Lake as it takes you through Wolfeboro (the “Oldest Summer Resort in America”). Outside Wolfeboro, Rte. 109 turns east, passing Wentworth State Park, to Sanbornville where you join Rte. 153. Go north to Conway to join the Multi-Notch Mountain Ride, or to continue the Lakes Loop, follow it south through Union to Farmington and Rte.11 East in Rochester. In Rochester, turn southwest on Rte. 202A to Northwood, where you’ll briefly turn east on Rte. 4 to pick up Rte. 152 south. In Nottingham, pick up Rte. 156 to Raymond where you’ll head north on Rte. 107 through Deerfield, Epsom, Pittsfield, Barnstead, Gilmanton, and Laconia. Turn onto Rte. 3, which will take you back to Meredith.

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LWSA SAILING SCHOOL

You can see a lot on a Lakes Region Tour—just take a look!

Opposite top: Lake Winnipesaukee from Mt. Major Center: Lining up at Weirs Beach to board the M/S Mount Washington Bottom: Thanks to ongoing preservation efforts, Loons are an increasingly common sight on New Hampshire lakes. Above top: Ellacoya State Park Bottom: It doesn’t get much better than a day like this on Lake Winnipesaukee Right: Mustangs & More Car Show at Weirs Beach

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