2 Best Sights in Bethel, Western Lakes and Mountains

Grafton Notch Scenic Byway (Route 26) runs through its namesakes—the park and the notch—at the northeastern reach of the Mahoosuc Range (White Mountains). A favorite fall foliage destination stretching along the Bear River valley 14 miles north of Bethel, it's a short walk from roadside parking areas to the waterway's distinctive Screw Auger Falls, which drops through a gorge, creating pools (.4 mile trail network); V-shaped Mother Walker Falls (.2 mile round-trip); and Moose Cave, a feature of another gorge (.4 mile loop trail; watch for slippery rocks). Also aside the road: the nicely shaded Spruce Meadow picnic area and the trailhead for the Appalachian Trail, the departure point for day hikes that follow or incorporate it. Table Rock Loop Trail (2.4 miles round-trip; moderate) rewards hikers with views of mountains and the notch from a ledge. More challenging is the 7.6-mile round-trip trek (advanced) via the AT to the viewing platform atop 4,180-foot Old Speck Mountain, one of Maine's highest peaks. Some of the AT's toughest sections run through Grafton Notch and 31,764-acre Mahoosuc Public Land, whose two tracts sandwich the park, offering stunning, if strenuous, backcountry hiking (also backcountry campsites). In winter, the park's snowmobile trail along Bear River is popular; ungroomed trails draw snowshoers and cross-country skiers.

Built in 1872 and pedestrian-only since 1958, the most painted and photographed of Maine's nine covered bridges can be found north of Bethel in neighboring Newry. From U.S. 2, turn onto Sunday River Road (watch for signs; stay to the right at the "Y" intersections). The 87-foot-long Paddleford truss bridge is aside the modern one that handles road traffic these days. A popular swimming spot, folks put in by the old wood bridge or follow the path from its south end to a bend in the river.