New England's Mountains Part I:
Drive-Up Peaks, Isolated Summits & Famous Hikes

Not every mountain adventure in New England requires a backpack, ice axe, or week-long trek. Some of the region's most beloved summits are either accessible by car or stand alone as distinctive peaks with their own cultural and recreational pull.

Peaks with Roads to the Summit

Mount Washington (NH) – You can hike it the hard way, but there's also the Mount Washington Auto Road (built in 1861!) and the Cog Railway, both legendary. The weather can still be brutal at the top, so don't mistake the road for a casual drive.

Mount Cadillac (ME) – At 1,530 feet, Cadillac in Acadia National Park is the tallest mountain on the Atlantic coast. You can drive right to the summit for one of the most famous sunrises in America.

Mount Battie (ME) In Camden Hills State Park, this little peak (800 ft) is a quick drive or hike up to sweeping views of Penobscot Bay, Camden Harbor, and the islands beyond.

Mount Greylock (MA) – The tallest in Massachusetts (3,491 ft), with a paved road to the summit. There's also the Veterans War Memorial Tower and lodge facilities. On a clear day, you can see five states.

Mount Equinox (VT) – Highest peak of the Taconic Range (3,848 ft).

The Skyline Drive is a steep, winding toll road to the summit with spectacular views across southern Vermont and into Massachusetts and New York.

Mount Ascutney (VT) A standalone monadnock in southeastern Vermont (3,144 ft). There's a paved road almost to the summit, plus multiple trailheads.

Mount Agamenticus (ME) – Low elevation (692 ft), but its prominence makes it special. You can drive to the top for views over the Maine coast, New Hampshire mountains, and even to Boston on a clear day.

Iconic Isolated Peaks (Monadnocks)

Mount Monadnock (NH) – 3,165 ft. This is one of the most frequently climbed mountains in the world, thanks to its accessibility, relatively short but steep trails, and panoramic summit views.

Emerson and Thoreau both wrote about it.

Mount Chocorua (NH) – A rugged, rocky summit in the eastern Whites, beloved by hikers for its sharp silhouette.

Mount Kearsarge (NH) – With fire towers and 360° views, it's a family-friendly classic in central NH.

Camel's Hump (VT) – Alongside Mansfield, one of Vermont's iconic profiles, rugged summit with alpine vegetation.

Other Notable Hiking Peaks

Maine

4,229–4,238 ft (commonly cited 4,237 ft) : Carrabassett Valley Hike: AT from Caribou Valley Rd or ski-area routes (off-season). Drive: Carrabassett Valley/Sugarloaf. peakbagger.com

Crocker Mountain (High/North peak) : 4,228 ft : Carrabassett Valley Hike: AT from Caribou Valley Rd. Drive: Carrabassett Valley. peakbagger.com

Old Speck Mountain : 4,170–4,188 ft (commonly 4,180 ft) : Grafton Notch / Newry
ME-26 (Grafton Notch)Moose River Lookout

North Brother : 4,143–4,151 ft (commonly 4,151 ft)Baxter State Park (Millinocket)
Hike: Marston Trail. Drive: Millinocket → Baxter SP (Togue Gate).

New Hampshire

Mount Adams : 5,774–5,799 ft (AMC lists 5,774 ft) : Randolph
Hike: Airline/Valley Way from Appalachia trailhead (US-2, Randolph)4000footers.com

Mount Jefferson : 5,712 ft : Thompson & Meserves Purchase
Hike: Caps Ridge from Jefferson Notch Rd4000footers.com

Mount Monroe : 5,371–5,384 ft (AMC 5,384 ft) : Thompson & Meserves Purchase
Hike: Ammonoosuc Ravine from Marshfield Station (Cog base)4000footers.com

Mount Madison : 5,363–5,367 ft (AMC 5,367 ft) : Randolph
Hike: Valley Way/Osgood from Appalachia (US-2).4000footers.com

Mount Lafayette : 5,249–5,260 ft (commonly 5,249 ft) : Franconia
Hike: Falling Waters/Old Bridle via Franconia Notch (I-93/Lafayette Place).

Vermont

Killington Peak : 4,229–4,235 ft : Killington/Mendon
Hike: Bucklin Trail; winter routes via resort. Drive: Killington Resort base areaspeakbagger.com

Mount Ellen : 4,083 ft : Warren/Fayston
Hike: Long Trail from Lincoln Gap or Appalachian Gap; Drive: Mad River Valley (Waitsfield/Fayston) or Lincoln Gap Rd (seasonal)peakbagger.com

Camel's Hump : 4,077–4,083 ft : Duxbury/Huntington
Hike: Burrows/Monroe/Forest City. Drive: Huntington Center → Burrows TH. Wikipedia

Mount Abraham : 4,006 ft : Lincoln
Hike: Battell/Long Trail via Lincoln Gap (seasonal)Wikipedia

Pico Peak : 3,957 ft : Killington
Hike: Sherburne Pass/Long Trail. Drive: US-4 (Sherburne Pass).

Massachusetts

Saddle Ball Mountain : 3,238–3,248 ft : Adams
Hike: AT from Greylock Reservation. peakbagger.com

Mount Fitch : 3,108–3,110 ft : Adams
Hike: AT ridge walk between Greylock & Williams. peakbagger.com

Mount Williams : 2,965–2,951 ft (Peakbagger 2,965 ft) : North Adams/Adams
Hike: Money Brook/AT via Notch Rd. peakbagger.com

Blackpoll (Black Pole) Mountain : 2,797 ft : Berkshire County
Hike: Logging roads/woods roads (no official trail). peakbagger.com

Spruce Mountain (Franklin Co.) : 2,717 ft : Heath
Hike: Forest roads/spurs; access via Heath/Rowe. peakbagger.com

Rhode Island

Whites Hill SE (Glocester HP) : ~809 ft : Glocester
Hike/Drive: Local roads near Glocester (private parcels:check access). peakbagger.com

Burrillville High Point : ~782 ft : Burrillville
Access via local roads; confirm permission if needed. peakbagger.com

Chopmist Hill (Scituate) : ~755–756 ft : Scituate
Drive up local hill roads (radio sites nearby). peakbagger.com

Bald Hill (Kent Co. HP) : 629 ft : Coventry/West Greenwich
Easy roadside access in West Greenwich/Coventry area. Wikipedia

Pocasset Hill (Newport Co. HP) : ~315+ ft : Tiverton
Short approach from Tiverton backroads. Wikipedia

Connecticut

Round Mountain : 2,293 ft : Salisburyk
Hike: AT side trails from Undermountain Rd. peakbagger.com

Gridley Mountain : 2,218 ft : Salisbury/Canaan area
Hike: AT side routes/Riga Plateau paths. peakbagger.com

Bald Peak : 2,007 ft : Salisbury
Hike: Local trails near Riga Plateau. peakbagger.com

Bradford Mountain : 1,962 ft : Canaan area
Hike: Woods roads/limited use paths. peakbagger.com

Mount Riga (CT high point on ridge area) : 1,774 ft : Salisbury (Mount Riga area)
Hike: Local roads/paths from Salisbury/Mt. Riga Rd. peakbagger.com

Notes & sources

Elevations and peak rankings are from Peakbagger and AMC/NE 4000-footer resources; slight elevation variations reflect different references/updates (USGS vs. AMC vs. local sources). For state-by-state lists and peak pages: Maine & NE lists peakbagger.com+1; New Hampshire (AMC/NE4K & NH mountains) peakbagger.com+1; Vermont (state list & 4000-footer list) Wikipedia+1; Massachusetts (Top 10 list) peakbagger.com; Connecticut (Top 10 summits list) peakbagger.com; Rhode Island (county high points & town HPs; Jerimoth background).