Mt Washington Cog Railroad
This post may contain affiliate links. To learn more about our affiliate links and cookies policy, please see our Terms & Conditions page.
Hop aboard the Mt. Washington Cog Railway and be transported to the top of the tallest peak in the northeastern United States. A ride to the summit of the world’s first mountain climbing cog-railway is a fascinating blend of antiquity, mechanization, and the majesty of nature.
For more information on New Hampshire travel read our travel blog posts on:
Since 1869, the Cog has been making its way up the slopes of New Hampshire's Mt. Washington. Though the train speed is slow, the grade is steep and the ride is dramatic. One section of the track, Jacob’s Ladder, is reported to contain the steepest railroad trestle in the world. A trip on the historic Cog Railway is one of the best things to do in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Located in the 750,000-acre White Mountain National Forest, the Cog travels through three climate zones. The trip begins at Marshfield Base Station in dense timberland. Climbing steadily past the 4000’ Waumbek Station, passengers encounter scrubby tundra flora before reaching the treeless alpine summit at 6,266 feet.
BEST TIME TO VISIT MT WASHINGTON
The best time to visit Mt Washington is from mid-May to mid-October when the snow has melted and before it flies. The months of July and August are the warmest (and most crowded). Peak foliage is generally the first or second week of October.