Tours and Guided Trips in the White Mountains

June is when the White Mountains open up. The summit roads clear, the trains settle into their summer routine, and the long evenings make room for one more outing after dinner. You can see a lot of these mountains on your own, but some of the best views come with someone else at the controls: a tram operator, a locomotive crew, a van driver who has climbed Mount Washington more times than they can count, or a guide who knows which trail suits your legs on a given day.

This guide covers the tours white mountains nh visitors return to most, from historic mountain railways to guided hikes. It sticks to things that stay true year after year. Schedules, prices and opening dates change every season, so check each operator's own site before you go.

Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway: Franconia Notch from Above

The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway is one of the easiest ways to reach a White Mountains summit, and it carries real history. The original Cannon tram, which opened in 1938, was the first passenger aerial tramway in North America. The current cars, known as Tramway II, were dedicated in 1980. It is the only aerial tramway in the state, and it rises about 2,180 vertical feet inside Franconia Notch State Park.

The ride takes a few minutes. At the top you look out over Franconia Notch and the surrounding peaks, and on clear days the view runs far beyond the Notch. Bring a layer even in June, because the summit can be much cooler and windier than the valley floor.

Cannon pairs well with the rest of Franconia Notch. You can spend the morning on the tram and the afternoon walking one of the easy trails in the state park below.

Mount Washington Cog Railway: The Original Mountain Climber

On the western side of Mount Washington, the Mount Washington Cog Railway was the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway. The idea came from Sylvester Marsh, and trains reached the summit in July 1869. The line runs about three miles from the base station at Marshfield to the 6,288-foot summit. It averages a grade of more than 25 percent and reaches about 37 percent at its steepest, which makes it one of the steepest railways anywhere.

Today the Cog runs both biodiesel and traditional steam locomotives. The steam trains are slower and smokier, and many riders consider them worth it for the experience. Either way, the climb takes you above treeline into a landscape that feels more like the far north than New England. Pack a warm jacket. The summit of Mount Washington has a well-earned reputation for fast-changing weather, and a calm June morning at the base can mean fog and wind at the top.

Mt. Washington Auto Road: Let Someone Else Drive

If you want to reach the summit by road but would rather not drive it yourself, the Mt. Washington Auto Road on the Gorham side offers guided tours. The road opened in 1861. It runs 7.6 miles and climbs about 4,618 feet from the base to the summit, with long stretches above treeline and steep drop-offs that some drivers find unnerving.

The guided tours, which carry on a tradition of the horse-drawn "stages" that once hauled visitors up the mountain, put a driver-guide at the wheel. The driver narrates the history, the geology and the weather along the way, and the tour includes time at the summit. The road's own site describes a guided tour of about two hours. It is a good choice for families, nervous drivers, or anyone whose car would rather stay at the bottom. If you do drive up yourself, you will earn the famous "This Car Climbed Mt. Washington" bumper sticker.

Conway Scenic Railroad: Valley Rides and Crawford Notch

The Conway Scenic Railroad leaves from the Victorian-era station in North Conway Village, which has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979. The railroad began running excursions in 1974 and is now one of the best-known heritage lines in New England.

The shorter Valley Train makes a one-hour round trip of about 11 miles through farmland and woods, with views of the surrounding peaks. It is an easy outing for young children or a rainy afternoon. The longer Mountaineer heads west through Crawford Notch to Fabyan, a trip of roughly four to four and a half hours that crosses trestles and hugs the walls of the Notch. If you have only one train ride in you, the Notch is the one people remember.

Moose Tours from Gorham

Moose are one of the main reasons people drive north of the Notches, and they are hard to find on your own. Moose Tours Gorham runs evening bus tours from Gorham through the back roads of the North Country, which is when moose are most active. The tours last about three hours, and the company reports a sighting rate in the 90-percent range. The guides know where to look and drive the roads after dark, so you don't have to. That matters, because moose on unlit roads are a real hazard for drivers who don't know the area.

Bring binoculars if you have them and a camera that handles low light. Keep your expectations flexible. A sighting is likely but never guaranteed, because these are wild animals.

Guided Hiking and Backcountry Skills with Redline Guiding

For those who want to get on the trails but would like a guide, Redline Guiding in North Conway offers guided hiking, backpacking and nature tours in the White Mountains. They also teach wilderness first aid, navigation and camp craft. In June their hiking trips are the main draw: a guide can match a route to your fitness, handle the logistics, and make the judgment calls about weather that matter so much in these mountains.

A guided hike is a good fit for first-time visitors, families with older kids, and solo travelers who would rather not head above treeline alone. If you want to build your own skills for future trips, the courses are worth a look.

Planning Tips for June

• Dress for two climates. The summits of Cannon and Mount Washington can be 20 or more degrees cooler than the valleys, with wind. Bring a warm layer and a rain shell on every summit tour.
• Watch the weather. Mount Washington's weather changes quickly. Operators may change or cancel trips for wind or storms, so check before you leave.
• Book ahead on weekends. Popular departures on the Cog and Conway Scenic can fill on summer weekends.
• Bring bug spray. June is black fly and mosquito season in the North Country, especially at dusk on a moose tour.
• Combine by area. Group Cannon with Franconia Notch, the Cog with Bretton Woods, and the Auto Road, moose tours and Conway Scenic with the Mount Washington Valley to cut down on driving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best tour in the White Mountains for first-time visitors?

For a single standout experience, the Cog Railway or a guided Auto Road tour to the summit of Mount Washington is hard to beat. The Cannon tram is a quicker, easier summit trip in Franconia Notch.

Can you reach the summit of Mount Washington without hiking?

Yes. You can ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway from the west side, or drive or take a guided tour up the Mt. Washington Auto Road from the east side.

Are White Mountains tours good for kids?

Most are. The Conway Scenic Valley Train and the Cannon tram are short and easy, and the summit trips are popular with families. Moose tours run in the evening, so consider younger children's bedtimes.

Do I need to book tours in advance?

It is a good idea on summer weekends and holidays. Check each operator's own site for current schedules and reservations.

Sources

• Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, Wikipedia (1938 opening, first in North America, Tramway II dedicated 1980, vertical rise): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannon_Mountain_Aerial_Tramway
• Cannon Mountain official site: https://www.cannonmt.com
• Mount Washington Cog Railway, Wikipedia (Sylvester Marsh, 1869, length, grades, summit elevation): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Washington_Cog_Railway
• The Mount Washington Cog Railway official site (biodiesel and steam locomotives, Marshfield base): https://www.thecog.com
• Mount Washington Auto Road, Wikipedia (1861 opening, 7.6 miles, elevation gain, stages, bumper sticker): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Washington_Auto_Road
• Mt. Washington Auto Road official site (guided tours): https://mt-washington.com/
• Conway Scenic Railroad, Wikipedia (1974 start, station on National Register 1979): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conway_Scenic_Railroad
• Conway Scenic Railroad official site (Valley and Mountaineer trains): https://www.conwayscenic.com
• Gorham Moose Tours official site (three-hour bus tours, sighting rate): https://gorhammoosetours.org/
• Redline Guiding official site (guided hiking, backpacking, courses): https://redlineguiding.com