For an ever-changing perspective on the fall foliage, try viewing the colors from a higher elevation by hiking, driving or taking a ski lift up one of New England’s mountains.
To plan the best viewing, visit the states’ fall foliage maps or trackers.
Maine
Mount Battie, Camden Hills State Park, Camden: The 5,700-acre Camden Hills State Park near the Maine coast offers diverse hiking trails as well as an auto road to the top of the 800-foot Mount Battie with wide views of Penobscot Bay that inspired a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Cost is $6 for adults, $2 for ages 65 and older. The road is open daily, from 7 a.m. to sunset, through Oct. 31.
Massachusetts
Mount Greylock, Lanesboro: Mount Greylock is the highest spot in Massachusetts at 3,491 feet. On a clear day, visitors can see as far as 90 miles away from the summit. There is a wide range of hiking trails at Mount Greylock State Reservation for various skill levels. For those who don’t want to hike, they can drive up to the top for the sweeping views. Parking at the summit costs $5 for Massachusetts residents, $10 for others. The road to the summit is open daily through Nov. 1.
New Hampshire
Loon Mountain, Lincoln: Loon Mountain’s Gondola Skyride runs to the top of the 2,733-foot summit daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On top, visitors can take in the view from a 360-degree observation tower, walk on a nature trail or check out prehistoric glacial caves. The cost is $18 for adults, $13 for ages 6 to 12, and $16 for seniors ages 65-79; children 5 and under are free. The gondola runs daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Oct. 14.
Mount Washington Auto Road, Gorham: The drive up the highest peak in the Northeast passes through four climate zones and sometimes changing weather on patches of narrow roads. From the top of the 6,288-foot summit, visitors get a panoramic view of mountains and valley. They also have access to a gift shop and cafeteria. Crisp, clear days can get busy so visitors are advised to arrive early. Some vehicles are prohibited. The cost is $31 for car and driver, $9 per adult passenger, and $7 for children ages 5-12. The road is open daily, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Oct. 21, weather permitting.
Mount Washington Cog Railway, Bretton Woods: If you’d rather not drive, the Mount Washington Cog Railway chugs leaf-peepers to the summit by train. The narrated trip takes about an hour each way. Passengers get an hour to explore the summit, including several short hiking trails, the Mount Washington Observatory, gift shops, restrooms and a snack bar. Reservations are recommended. The train ride costs $78 for the steam engine and $72 for the biodiesel train for adults, $41 for either train for children, $72 for the steam-engine train and $68 for biodiesel for seniors. A one-way hiker ticket is $51.
Vermont
Stowe Auto Toll Road, Stowe: Leaf-peepers can drive instead of hike up Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest mountain, on the historic Toll Road. The trip offers sweeping vistas of the central Vermont valleys and mountains, including views of Lake Champlain and New York’s Adirondack Mountains in the distance. Some vehicles are prohibited. The cost is $24 for car and driver, $9 per additional passenger ages 5 and up, and children ages 4 and younger are free. The road is open daily, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Oct. 14, weather permitting.
Stowe Mountain Resort, Stowe: Ride the Stowe Gondola Skyride to the top of Mount Mansfield, where you can hike or have lunch at the Cliff House Restaurant. The cost is $29 for adults, $20 for ages 5-12, and free for ages 4 and younger when accompanied by a paying adult. The gondola runs daily, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Oct. 14, weather permitting.
