New Hampshire's covered bridges: A weekend tour

July 24, 1:31 PMManchester Motorcycle ExaminerChris Greenleaf

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Covered bridge over the Swift River in Conway, NH.  Source: Wikipedia

If you're looking for a weekend adventure on the motorcycle, this is the weekend for you!  The forecast is calling for sunny days, with highs in the mid-80's. Pack your backpack, bring a small tent and get ready to hit the open road and view several of New Hampshire's historic covered bridges.

Leaving Manchester, we'll head north into the New Hampshire Lakes region, our first stop at the Squam Bridge.

Next, we'll head a few miles north and east on route 113 into the small town of Sandwich while we cross the Durgin Bridge over the Cold River.  Retrace your trail a bit back to route 175 to continue northward.

Continue north on route 175 enjoying the backwoods scenery as central New Hampshire transforms into northern New Hampshire and the White Mountains gracefully appear over the horizon.  Entering into Plymouth, just off of route 3a, we'll visit the Smith Bridge over Baker River. You won't be able to ride this bridge, however as it was closed to traffic in 1991.

Making your way back to route 175 continue northward into the town of Campton just off of route 3 and 49 we'll see the half-century old Turkey Jim's Bridge.  Closed to vehicular traffic, this bridge cost less than $4000 to construct in the 1950's.  While in Campton, take time to visit the Blair and Bump bridges, both open to passenger cars only with a weight limit of three tons, the Blair bridge is a shocking 292 feet long.

Entering the White Mountain region, we'll stop next in North Woodstock at Clark's bridge. Just east of route 3, you'll find this railroad covered bridge near Clark's Trading Post, just be careful of the legendary Wolfman running around the area!

Just a short five miles north of the town of North Woodstock, we'll visit two more covered bridges in the historic town of Lincoln, more commonly known as the winter-time resort community housing Loon Mountain Skiing resort. The Flume is just east of rte 3 close to route 175; The Sentinel Bridge offers a pedestrian walkway to a spectacular view of the White Mountains. At over 60 feet long over the Flume Gorge, you'll surely want a camera for this stop.

Lincoln is the popular west entry point to the scenic Kancamagus Highway, and a great place to set up camp for the night. By now, you've had a full day of riding and sight-seeing.  As you head north on route 3, turn onto route 112 (Kancamagus Highway) east.  Take this opportunity to get any last minute camping supplies you'll need for the night.  Continue east on the Kancamagus and visit any one of the many campgrounds provided. 

Part 2 of this story will take us up to the Canadian border, and then back down the eastern slopes of the White Mountains with countless more covered bridges to view.

For more info: Visit the New Hampshire state website for a full listing of all of the covered bridges in our state.