The Kancamagus scenic byway (also known simply as “the Kanc”) is a road that takes you through the White Mountains, NH. It offers many views of the mountains as well as trail heads and mountain peaks and is a well know scenic route. It is open year round but the winters bring a harsher environment and less people. Spring, summer, and fall are the best times to be on the Kanc with its peak coming with the autumn leaf peeping season. October displays incredible fall foliage that people come from far away to see for themselves while the local New Englanders also flock to this majestic road. There route is popular with runners as wells on bike (and in cars).
The road has flat sections throughout, but often you will either be moving gently downhill or uphill with some steeper grades coming near the top of the pass at just under 3,000’. There are no businesses or places to resupply while on the Kanc, only miles and views.
Most of the route has a good shoulder to run on and often hard packed dirt to the side of the pavement if wanting a softer surface. The East side of the Kanc starts at the T intersection of Main St in Conway and the West end finishes in North Woodstock at the intersection of Main St. On the map this is the true end to end of the Kanc! A one way trip puts you right around 36 miles and the out and back brings you to about 72 miles.
https://greatruns.com/north-conway-kancamagus-highway/
