Scenic Drives - Mt. Washington Auto Road 6,288-foot summit

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Travel to the top of New England on the “Road to the Sky” - the Mt. Washington Auto Road. Since 1861, the inspiring views and amazing beauty found on this unique and historic 8-mile road have awed visitors. Breathtaking panoramic views are around every bend as you climb through 4 different climate autoroad1 zones to the 6,288-foot summit of Mt. Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast. From the summit you can see five states, Canada and the Atlantic Ocean. The Auto Road is the oldest man made attraction in America. The route, the views and the magic of this mountain sanctuary have remained largely unchanged since travelers began winding their way up Mt. Washington in 1861. The “Road to the Sky” was an unprecedented engineering achievement and remains the first man-made attraction in the United States!

Today, it awaits your personal voyage of discovery. Breathtaking vistas reveal themselves around every bend of the 8-mile path to the top of New England. The average grade of 12% slopes ever upward on the mostly paved road, reaching up more than a mile in the sky. Just a little imagination can conjure up images of the days when mountain wagons drawn by six horse teams traversed the very same ridges. Today’s travelers have the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour in a comfortable van, while being entertained by an experienced, knowledgeable driver.

Or, drive your own car and take the opportunity to linger at any of the awe inspiring viewing areas along autoroad21 the route. Those who take their own vehicle will be treated to new audio tour on cassette or CD, which shares classic tales about the road’s history, its geography and legends - and the world famous “THIS CAR CLIMBED MT. WASHINGTON” bumper sticker! When the adventure of your ascent has been completed, a variety of experiences can be found on New England’s highpoint. The historic Summit Stage Office, constructed in 1878, (rebuilt in 1972) is again open for business. Souvenir items, clothing and hiking supplies can be found in the building where the world’s highest winds (231 mph) were recorded in 1934! Hikers seeking a stage trip down the mountain may also inquire here. Additionally, the Sherman Adams State Park Building, the Mount Washington
Observatory Museum, and the fully restored Tip Top House, (dates back to 1853), await your exploration.

The Mt. Washington Auto Road is located on Route 16 in Pinkham Notch, Gorham, New Hampshire - 14 miles north of Glen, NH, and 8 miles south of Gorham, NH.

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