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Grafton Notch: Route 26, Mahoosuc Range, Maine
Photo: Will leavitt · CC BY-SA 4.0

Drives Maine Western Maine and the North Woods

Grafton Notch: Route 26

ME 26, Bear River Road · Newry → Upton

Leisurely20 mi30 min1,400 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,800 ftOne way
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The drive

Grafton Notch State Park surrounds the mountain pass between Old Speck Mountain and Baldpate Mountain in the Mahoosuc Range, and Route 26 runs straight through it. This drive goes north from US 2 at Newry, past Screw Auger Falls and through the notch, to Upton.

Screw Auger Falls drops through a steep gorge on the Bear River, and the park's other gorges include Mother Walker Falls and Moose Cave. About twelve miles of the Appalachian Trail, a rugged section, run through the park.

The drive is 20.3 miles and takes about 30 minutes, with mostly gentle curves.

Along the way

  1. Newry (US-2)
  2. Screw Auger Falls
  3. Grafton Notch
  4. Upton
Elevation
1,400 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,800 ft
NewryUpton
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
NewryUpton
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Screw Auger Falls is on the Bear River, in a steep gorge.
  • For current work zones, check New England 511 before you go.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check New England 511: Maine road conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long does Grafton Notch Route 26 take to drive?

Newry to Upton on Route 26 is 20.3 miles and takes about 30 minutes without stops.

What is there to see on Route 26 in Grafton Notch?

Screw Auger Falls, Mother Walker Falls and Moose Cave are in the park's gorges, and the road passes between Old Speck and Baldpate mountains.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Grafton Notch: Route 26, from Newry to Upton