A paved road to the top of Whiteface Mountain in New York
Usa, north-america
12.87 km
1,402 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, picture this: cruising up the highest paved road in all of New York! We're talking Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway (aka NY 431), just outside Wilmington in Essex County. This isn't your average Sunday drive.
This 8-mile stretch is a total climb, taking you up to a whopping 4,599 feet. Built back in '35, it’s a toll road that’s open from June to October, so plan your trip accordingly!
The road is paved, but get ready for some seriously steep sections. We're talking gradients maxing out at 11%! You'll gain 3,562 feet in elevation, averaging over 8% grade, so your car will definitely feel it.
Give yourself at least 15 minutes to reach the top, but honestly, you'll want to budget way more time. The views are insane! As you snake through the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness, each viewpoint is more breathtaking than the last. The final five miles are particularly epic, with the landscape morphing into an alpine wonderland.
Once you reach the parking lot (the road's end), you can hike or catch an elevator to the very top. And trust me, you'll want to! Up there, you'll find a castle built of stone, a restaurant, and a gift shop, plus 360-degree panoramic views that stretch for hundreds of miles. On a clear day, you can spot the Green Mountains of Vermont, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and even the skyscrapers of Montreal! Seriously, this is a drive (and a view) you won't forget.
Where is it?
A paved road to the top of Whiteface Mountain in New York is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 39.9873, -95.6638
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 12.87 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,402 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 39.9873, -95.6638
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