A steep paved toll-road to the top of Equinox Mountain in Vermont
Usa, north-america
8.36 km
1,170 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, road trippers, buckle up for Mount Equinox Skyline Drive in Vermont! This paved toll road, clocking in at 5.2 miles, is your ticket to the summit of the highest peak in the Taconic Range. You'll find the entrance just off Route 7A, south of Manchester, and it's the longest privately-owned paved toll road in the USA!
Heads up: this beauty is usually closed from November to April. Plus, no buses, RVs, or mega-vans allowed, and leave your bikes and boats at home for this one. When it's open (Memorial Day to October 31st, weather permitting), you can cruise it from 9 AM to 5 PM. Pro tip: pack a jacket – it's usually breezy up there!
Located smack-dab in the Green Mountain National Forest, the views are insane all the way up. There are pull-offs to soak it all in as you climb. At the top, you're greeted with panoramic views of Vermont, the Adirondacks, New Hampshire, and even a glimpse of five states and Canada on a clear day. You'll also find some interesting relics like communication towers and an old Cold War radar station.
Cyclists, beware! This climb is legendary for its steepness. With an average gradient of 11.38% and some sections hitting almost 15%, it's a leg burner. Driving down? Take it slow, give your brakes some breathers, and downshift to let your engine help control your speed.
Where is it?
A steep paved toll-road to the top of Equinox Mountain in Vermont is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 42.1232, -98.2065
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 8.36 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,170 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 42.1232, -98.2065
Related Roads in north-america
moderateBoner Bridge is the oldest iron bridge in Indiana
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for a trip back in time on Boner Bridge! (Yep, that's really the name.) Nestled in Southern Indiana, this 256-foot-long metal marvel, also known as Pyeatt's Mill Bridge, is one of only a handful of bridges like it still standing. Built way back in 1869 by the King Bridge Company, this one-lane beauty is a rare iron bowstring truss bridge and the longest of its kind in Indiana. You'll be driving across the Little Pigeon Creek river, connecting Warrick County and Spencer County, so soak in the scenery! Keep in mind this historic treasure has an 8-ton weight limit. How cool is it that you can still drive on a bridge that's the oldest iron bridge in Indiana in its original location?! It’s a must-see for any road trip enthusiast!
moderateDriving the scenic Emerald Bay Road in Lake Tahoe
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising along Emerald Bay Road in California is an absolute must-do if you’re anywhere near Lake Tahoe. This scenic stretch hugs the western shore of the lake, offering views that will absolutely blow you away. Okay, I’m not gonna lie – it can be a *little* intimidating. This road is carved into the side of a mountain, and in some spots, you’re driving right along steep cliffs with, gulp, no guardrails. It's part of Highway 89, running up the eastern edge of California near the Arizona border. But seriously, don’t let that scare you off! The views are SO worth it. You’re high above the most incredible mountain lakes. Just take it slow and maybe avoid it if you're super afraid of heights. This paved road winds for about 18.6 miles (29.93km) from Lake Valley up to Tahoma, nestled in the Carson range of the Sierra Nevada. The highest point is Inspiration Point, sitting at 6,837ft (2,084m), a full 600 feet above Lake Tahoe! From there, the panoramic view of Emerald Bay, the boats bobbing on the water, Vikingsholm, and tiny Fanette Island is unbeatable. Heads up: parking here can be a beast during peak summer hours, especially mid-morning to late afternoon. Keep an eye out for some seriously steep sections (up to 9% grade). There's a particularly wild quarter-mile stretch where you're riding a ridge between Emerald Bay and Cascade Lake, with a 600-foot drop on either side and, yep, still no guardrails. If it’s a windy day, maybe skip it. Beautiful, but whoa!
extremeMount Wilcox
🇺🇸 Usa
ount Wilcox is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.770m (12,368ft) above the sea level, located in Summit County, central Colorado, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado. Located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, the road to the summit is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times. High winds blow here all year long. The wind is usually quite strong at mountain areas. It's an old mine road. This road is rough and seems to get rougher with each passing year. The road is usually impassable from October to June (weather permitting). Even in summer you can confront with snowy days. Great trail for experienced wheelers. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. 4x4 vehicle with high clearance required. Mt. Wilcox was named after a methodist minister by the name of John Edwards Wilcox who was a prominant figure in the Georgetown area. Notorius lack of oxygen that tests the organisms and a high degree of steepness. Most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters. Extremely low oxygen for engine combustion. This drive demonstrates a prime example of the Rocky Mountain environment. Jersey Jim Lookout Tower Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
extremeMount Ogden
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you wanna hit Mount Ogden in Utah's Wasatch Range? This beast tops out at 9,563 feet! The road? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Think gravel, rocks, and a whole lotta "treacherous" in spots. It's basically a service road, so keep that in mind. Weather can flip on you faster than a pancake, and closures are common, so a 4x4 is a MUST. Seriously, only attempt this when it's dry – wet or dark is a total nightmare. This isn't a drive for those with respiratory or heart issues. Altitude will kick your butt, and even in late August, you might face snow. Oh, and the wind? Forget about it! It's always howling up there. The road itself is seriously steep, with gradients hitting 30% in places. At the top, you'll find radio towers and a helipad, but honestly, the views are the real reward. Just remember to check conditions before you go and prepare for anything Mother Nature throws your way. It's a short window to get this done in the summer, so time it right!