Gorham NH

North of Pinkham Notch, deep in New Hampshire's White Mountains at the confluence of the Androscoggin, Moose and Peabody rivers, lies Gorham NH, a road and rail junction with useful services.

If you're hiking north toward Maine on the Appalachian Trail, Gorham is the last community with a full range of services before you reach the trail's end at Mt Katahdin, so stop here for a good night's rest, a long shower, and a fine dinner.

Incorporated in 1836, Gorham NH 02581 (pop. 3000), at the conjunction of highways NH 16 and US 2, is deep in a pretty mountain valley on the north side of Mount Washington.

Surrounded on three sides by the White Mountain National Forest, it has that bracing independent, self-reliant air of towns not overshadowed by bigger cities (Berlin, pop. 10,331, 5 miles north, is hardly a city).

If you find yourself passing through, stop for a look around, a meal and a bed:

Libby's Bistro
One of the best fine restaurants in the White Mountains, set up in a recycled bank building at 111 Main Street (tel 603-466-5330).

Town & Country Motor Inn
Despite its address—US 2, Shelburne NH 03581 (tel 603-466-3315, 800-325-4386)—this very nice motor hotel is one mile east of the center of Gorham. Set on a hillside just south of the road, it enjoys good mountain views from north-facing rooms. There's a spacious dining room with a good value-for-money dinner buffet, a bar/lounge with live entertainment (Fri & Sat), indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and health club. Rooms are quite comfortable, and staff unfailingly friendly, perhaps because it's been family-run (by the Labnons) since 1956. Pets are welcome. You get a lot for your money here.

Mount Washington

White Mountain National Forest

Appalachian Mountain Club

Pinkham Notch Visitor Center

White Mountains Homepage

New Hampshire Homepage

Old Courthouse, Gorham NH
Above, the old courthouse, Gorham NH.
Below, Town & Country Motor Inn.

Town & Country Motor Inn, Shelburne (Gorham) NH