New Hampshire is known for its quaint, rural feel and natural beauty. Nothing brings both together like a covered bridge. They’re charming, beautiful and practical – everything we love about New Hampshire. There are covered bridges throughout the state. in fact, New Hampshire has 54 of the 750 covered bridges that remain in the United States, a sizable portion for a small state. This covered bridge trail in southern New Hampshire will take you through eight of the best, while winding you through the amazing scenery of the Monadnock Valley. This covered bridge trail is a perfect autumn drive!
- Ashuelot Covered Bridge, Winchester
cmh2315fl/flickr All of the covered bridges in New Hampshire are numbered and Ashuelot is number one, making it the perfect place to start your covered bridge drive. This is believed to be one of the most intricate covered bridges in the state.
- Coombs Covered Bridge, Winchester
James Walsh/flickr The second Winchester bridge is the opposite of Ashuelot -practical rather than pretty. Built in 1837, the bridge is still an important link between Winchester and Swanzey.
- Slate Bridge, Swanzey
Doug Kerr/flickr The Slate Bridge is probably the newest covered bridge in New Hampshire. Although it was originally built in 1862, it was extensively rebuilt in 2001 at the cost of nearly a million dollars!
- Carlton Covered Bridge, Swanzey
cmh2315fl/flickr When the Carlton Bridge was built in 1789 a wagon loaded with hay was used to determine that the bridge was tall enough!
- Thompson Bridge, West Swanzey
m01229/flickr When the Thompson Bridge was built in 1832 it cost just $523.27. The bridge was reconstructed for a much higher price during the 1970s, and school buses were allowed to cross, but only if empty. Because of that, it wasn’t unusual to see a bus let students off, forcing them to walk across before picking them up on the other side.
- Cresson Covered Bridge, Swanzey
Doug Kerr/flickr When the Cresson Bridge was reconstructed in 1859, the town held an all night dance party to celebrate, complete with lunch served on the bridge at midnight.
Planning to drive this covered bridge trail in New Hampshire? Consider stopping for lunch at New Hampshire’s oldest restaurant!
cmh2315fl/flickr
All of the covered bridges in New Hampshire are numbered and Ashuelot is number one, making it the perfect place to start your covered bridge drive. This is believed to be one of the most intricate covered bridges in the state.
James Walsh/flickr
The second Winchester bridge is the opposite of Ashuelot -practical rather than pretty. Built in 1837, the bridge is still an important link between Winchester and Swanzey.
Doug Kerr/flickr
The Slate Bridge is probably the newest covered bridge in New Hampshire. Although it was originally built in 1862, it was extensively rebuilt in 2001 at the cost of nearly a million dollars!
When the Carlton Bridge was built in 1789 a wagon loaded with hay was used to determine that the bridge was tall enough!
m01229/flickr
When the Thompson Bridge was built in 1832 it cost just $523.27. The bridge was reconstructed for a much higher price during the 1970s, and school buses were allowed to cross, but only if empty. Because of that, it wasn’t unusual to see a bus let students off, forcing them to walk across before picking them up on the other side.
When the Cresson Bridge was reconstructed in 1859, the town held an all night dance party to celebrate, complete with lunch served on the bridge at midnight.
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