Evans Notch: Maine and New Hampshire Route 113
Biker Nation Featured Ride | A detailed guide to a road worth discovering.
There are famous motorcycle roads that sell themselves with souvenirs and slogans. Evans Notch — Route 113 offers something better: a stretch of pavement worth riding for the scenery and the experience, without any need to chase a speed record.
Ride this route
From Gilead, Maine, follow ME/NH Route 113 south through the Evans Notch corridor toward Stow, Maine. The road crosses a quiet part of the White Mountain National Forest near the state line.
Navigation note: This describes the riding corridor, not live turn-by-turn navigation. Check your map, seasonal access and road conditions before departing.
What makes this ride special
Evans Notch is an antidote to the busy scenic-highway experience. Instead of long lines of cars and crowded overlooks, the road winds beneath forested ridges beside streams and trailheads. Its relatively narrow roadway and deep shade give the ride an intimate, backcountry feel.
Where to stop
The Roost and East Royce trailheads offer optional stops for riders prepared for a hike. Gilead and nearby Bethel are useful places to plan fuel and meals before entering the forest; check business hours in advance.
Where riding skill matters
The notch section of Route 113 is seasonally closed in winter, and reopening depends on weather and maintenance. Never bypass gates. Watch for wildlife, wet pavement, hikers and vehicles entering from trailhead parking areas.
Use a pace that leaves room for surprises, keep the bike in your lane on blind bends and save sightseeing for safe pullouts.
Before you leave
Check current highway advisories, weather, fuel availability and seasonal access. Download offline maps where cell coverage is uncertain. Any side trips should be evaluated for pavement and parking conditions before riding a heavy touring motorcycle.
Route sources and planning
Regional route and destination information | Road conditions and access information
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