The Highest Elevation in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s Mount Washington isn’t just the highest elevation in the state—it’s the highest point in the Northeastern United States.
Written by R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The best way to reach the summit of Mount Washington, the highest elevation in
New Hampshire
, is by driving up the Mount Washington Auto Road to the 6,288-foot peak. Whether you’re a mountain enthusiast, lover of open air, or just a big fan of checking things off lists, a visit to New Hampshire’s highest point is a great weekend getaway or midweek adventure. Follow this guide from
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What is the highest elevation in New Hampshire?
The highest elevation in hilly New Hampshire can be found at the peak of Mount Washington, 6,288 feet above sea level. Located in New Hampshire’s remote White Mountains, Mount Washington is notorious as the “Home of the World’s Worst Weather.” Because it sits at the unfortunate intersection of several storm tracks, the peak experiences frequent violent shifts in atmospheric conditions.
On April 12, 1932, scientists at the
Mount Washington Observatory
recorded a historic 231-mph wind speed—the fastest wind speed ever measured outside of a tornado or tropical cyclone! How to get to Mount Washington
The most popular (and safest) way to reach New Hampshire’s treacherous high point is by car—so check your tire pressure, buckle up, and hit the road!
The Mount Washington Auto Road, the primary route to the summit, is closed at certain times of the year based on the mountain’s difficult weather. Start your journey by checking the weather forecast and
road status
. If you want help navigating the unpredictable twists and turns, download the Auto Road app
. If the weather looks okay and the road is open, you’re good to go! Gorham,
New Hampshire
is the closest major town to snowy Mount Washington, so plan to start there. To get to the mountain from Gorham, take NH-16 S/White Mountain Road south. At the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, turn right onto Mt. Washington Auto Road. You’ll need to pay a toll to use the road, so be sure to check these rates before you leave: - $39 for car and driver ($45 at peak times)
- $14 for each adult passenger ($20 at peak times)
- $9 for each child aged 5-12
Be careful driving up the road. The maximum interior weight permitted on the Auto Road is 900 lbs—any more, and your vehicle won’t be able to tackle the steep inclines. The road also restricts vehicles to a maximum wheelbase of 176 inches and a maximum width of 88 inches.
To make sure your car’s equal to the mountain’s might, check the detailed list of
vehicle restrictions
before you head out. If your car doesn’t pass—or if you’d just prefer not to risk your beloved vehicle on one of the country’s toughest roads—you can also book a two-hour guided tour
and let an expert do the driving! Once you reach the end of the road, you’ll be able to visit the historic
Tip Top House hotel
and the Sherman Adams Summit Building. On the way back down the mountain (once you’ve snapped your fill of photographic evidence of your feat), be sure to put your car in its lowest gear. The most important part of driving on the Mount Washington Auto Road? Collecting your “THIS CAR CLIMBED MOUNT WASHINGTON”
bumper sticker
, of course! How to hike Mount Washington
Prefer to tackle New Hampshire’s highest point on foot? You can reach the summit by a few different hiking trails—but none of these routes are for the casual hiker or the faint of heart.
- Take the Tuckerman-Lion Head Trail (8.2 miles) or the Huntington Ravine Trail (8.6 miles) from theAMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Centerfor free parking
- Take the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail (9 miles) or the Gulfside Trail (10.2 miles) from Base Station Road east of Bretton Woods
No matter which route you choose, don’t skimp on preparations. Look up the schedule and rates of the
one-way hiker shuttle
before you set out so you’ve got a plan if the weather turns sour. Check out the guidelines on the HikeSafe
website of the White Mountain National Forest to avoid putting yourself in danger. How to take Mount Washington’s historic railway
The
Mount Washington Cog Railway
has been climbing to the state’s highest point since 1869, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. If you want to take the historic (and scenic!) route to the top, book a ticket
on one of the rail line’s steam or biodiesel trains! Steam trains run to the summit from early May to early October, while biodiesel trains to the summit run on a slightly longer schedule from late April to mid-October. Ticket prices may vary based on your dates, but expect rates as shown in the table below.
Engine type | Passenger | Rate |
|---|---|---|
Steam | Adult | $99 |
Steam | Child | $63 |
Steam | Senior (65+) | $95 |
Biodiesel | Adult | $72 |
Biodiesel | Child | $49 |
Biodiesel | Senior (65+) | $68 |
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversThings to do around Mount Washington
Mount Washington is the area’s biggest draw, but if you’re looking for a change of pace once you descend from the clouds, check out the
Gorham Historical Society and Railroad Museum
on, you guessed it, Railroad Street! Drop into the Medallion Opera House
for a night of music or, if you want a gentler hike than the mountain itself, head to Moose Brook State Park
. The stunning
Glen House
hotel, located right by the entrance to the Auto Road, is the best place to stay near Mount Washington, and it’s home to one of the area’s best restaurants, the Notch Grille
. If you’re booking a room at the Glen house, don’t forget to check out the hotel’s special packages, including the Maple Madness package, which comes with two maple-themed cocktails and a bottle of genuine New Hampshire maple syrup! What city has the highest elevation in New Hampshire?
You might imagine that Gorham, situated right next to towering Mount Washington, is the New Hampshire town with the highest elevation—but you’d be wrong! At an elevation of just 794 feet, Gorham is relatively low to the ground.
The honor of “New Hampshire’s highest town” goes to the town of Washington, located at the opposite end of the state! Located in a hilly section of Sullivan County, Washington is 1,507 feet above sea level.
Where to find affordable car insurance in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is unique among US states as the only state where drivers are not required to carry car insurance—not all drivers, anyway. Although anyone convicted of a serious traffic offense (think DUI) is
legally required to purchase car insurance
, other New Hampshire drivers can hit the road without a policy under their belt. But driving without insurance—even when it’s legal—isn’t a great idea. And while you may think that the added expense of an insurance policy isn’t worth it, the
Jerry
app can shrink that expense to a manageable size. How? Simple: just download the app, enter your information, and Jerry will compare rates from 50+ top providers to find you the quotes that fit your vehicle and budget. As a
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