Lake Winnipesaukee Loop

A full lap of New Hampshire's biggest lake: from Wolfeboro the route runs north on NH-109 through Melvin Village and Moultonborough, crosses Center Harbor and Meredith, passes Weirs Beach and Gilford, and comes back around by Ellacoya State Park and Alton Bay. It's 60 miles of lake views rather than tight curves, with plenty of places to stop for food. In summer there's traffic and boat trailers in Meredith, Weirs and Wolfeboro, and during Laconia Motorcycle Week, June 13 to 21, Weirs Beach fills up.

Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in New Hampshire, about 70 square miles, and the third largest in New England, with more than 250 islands. Wolfeboro, where the loop starts and ends, calls itself the "Oldest Summer Resort in America," and Weirs Beach, the lake's biggest public beach, is home port of the M/S Mount Washington, a lake cruise boat whose current hull first sailed in 1940. Ellacoya State Park, on the Gilford shore, has a beach facing the open lake and the mountains to the north.

The loop is about lake views and towns, not tight curves, and it's easy to stretch into a full day with stops. Weirs Beach is the heart of Laconia Motorcycle Week, which in 2026 runs from June 13 to 21, and during those days US-3 and the Weirs are packed. In summer, expect boat trailers in Meredith, Weirs and Wolfeboro, and traffic lights in Gilford. Alton Bay, at the south tip of the lake, makes a good break before NH-28 takes you back to Wolfeboro.