Mount EQUINOX SKYLINE DRIVE
A Drive to
the Sky
A 5.2-mile paved mountain road rising through hardwood forest, scenic overlooks, and sweeping summit views from the highest peak in the Taconic Range.
THE EXPERIENCE
More than a road.
A journey.
From historic Route 7A between Manchester and Arlington, Skyline Drive ascends 3,248 feet over 5.2 miles to the summit of Mount Equinox. Completed in 1947, the privately maintained toll road remains one of New England’s most distinctive scenic drives.
There are several vistas and picnic areas along the Drive, which winds upward through four distinct forest types.
Visible in the valley on your left as you crest the mountain is the Charterhouse of the Transfiguration, the only Carthusian monastery in North America.
Tokens for entry are purchased at the Welcome Center. We accept credit cards, debit cards, and cash.
Weather permitting. No exceptions to the 4:00 PM last entry. Viewing Center and summit close at 4:30 PM. Welcome Center closes at 5:00 PM. Group rates available on request.
Mount Equinox
Located in the heart of Vermont's Green Mountains, Mount Equinox Skyline Drive is easily accessible from Manchester and Arlington.
Arlington, VT 05250
Bennington, VT — 20 min
Albany, NY — 55 min
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Explore
Mount Equinox.
Tap the markers to learn more
Barbo Lake
One of the two artificial hydroelectric reservoirs built by Dr. Joseph George Davidson in the 1950s as part of his self-sufficient power system. Named in memory of his beloved dog, Mr. Barbo.
The Charterhouse of the Transfiguration
The Charterhouse of the Transfiguration is a secluded Carthusian monastery dedicated to silence, prayer, and contemplation. Because of their vocation to solitude, the monastery is not open to visitors.
Lake Madeleine
Lake Madeleine is an artificial lake created by Dr. Joseph Davidson and named in honor of his wife, Madeleine. It is part of the hydroelectric facilities that still support the mountain's operations.
Welcome Center and Gift Shop
Start your visit at the Welcome Center, where you can purchase tickets, learn about the mountain, and prepare for the scenic drive ahead.
Skyline Drive
Travel the historic Skyline Drive as it winds 5.2 miles through protected forest to sweeping summit views of Vermont and beyond.
The Summit
The 3,848-foot summit of Mount Equinox is enveloped in a nearly-perpetual breeze that has been described as “nature’s white noise”. The Green Mountains, The Valley of Vermont and the White Mountains of New Hampshire may be seen to the east.
Saint Bruno Scenic Viewing Center
At the summit of Mount Equinox is the Saint Bruno Scenic Viewing Center, a gift from the Order of Carthusians to the people of Vermont and all visitors.
The Center has restrooms with changing tables.
THE JOURNEY
5.2 miles.
3,848 feet.
The drive unfolds in four distinct acts — each one revealing a different character of the mountain.
1
The Welcome Center
Before you begin your journey up Skyline Drive you will need to stop at the Skyline Drive Welcome Center located on Route 7A to receive your token. The Welcome Center also features a gift shop offering Mount Equinox souvenirs, Vermont-made crafts and foods, and information about the Carthusian Order.
↑ 650 FT ELEVATION
2
Through the Forest
As Skyline Drive begins its ascent, the road winds steeply through a quiet hardwood forest, following the natural contours of the mountain. Towering maples, birches, and beeches line the route, creating a shaded canopy that changes with the seasons—from fresh green in spring and summer to brilliant color in autumn.
Along the way, switchbacks reveal brief glimpses of the valley below before the trees close in again. With each hundred feet of elevation, the air becomes cooler, the forest grows quieter, and the sense of leaving the everyday world behind becomes stronger. This wooded climb is part of the experience, offering a peaceful transition from the foothills of Manchester to the summit of Mount Equinox.
↑ 650–2,400 FT
3
The Summit
At the summit, the forest opens to sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and village below. Manchester stretches out beneath you, framed by the Taconic and Green Mountain ranges, with layers of ridgelines fading into the distance.
On a clear day, the view reaches across five states, offering one of the most memorable overlooks in southern Vermont. Take time to pause, breathe in the cooler mountain air, and enjoy the quiet sense of elevation that makes Mount Equinox such a remarkable destination.
↑ 3,848 FT · THE TOP
4
Saint Bruno Scenic Viewing Center
At the summit of Mount Equinox is the Saint Bruno Scenic Viewing Center, a gift from the Carthusian Order to the people of Vermont and all visitors.
Designed and constructed by Vermont workers and completed in 2012, the Center is heated without the combustion of fossil fuels and produces no CO₂ emissions. Power to the building is generated by the hydroelectric plant that powers all mountain operations. The reservoirs that feed the plant can be seen in the valley on your left as you ascend the toll road.
The Center has restrooms with changing tables.
↑ 3,848 FT · THE TOP
History & Heritage
A mountain unlike
any other.
Mount Equinox is home to the Charterhouse of the Transfiguration — the only Carthusian monastery in North America. The Carthusian Order, founded in 1084 in the French Alps, is one of the most contemplative monastic orders in the world.
The monks arrived in Vermont in 1951. Their quiet presence has shaped the mountain’s singular character: a place of beauty, privacy, and uncommon stillness.
The Skyline Drive was developed by industrialist Joseph Davidson in the 1940s, who envisioned the summit as a destination. Today it remains one of New England’s most distinctive scenic experiences — privately operated, carefully maintained, and unlike anything else in the region.
“The summit views are among the finest in Vermont — a landscape of
quiet beauty that rewards the climb.”
— VERMONT LIFE MAGAZINE
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Everything you need
to get here.
Season & Hours
Open Memorial Day Weekend through October 31, weather permitting. Daily 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Last vehicle admitted by 4:00 PM. The drive may close during fog, high winds, or ice — check conditions before visiting.
Getting Here
The entrance is located at 42 Skyline Drive, off Route 7A in Arlington, Vermont. Three hours from Boston, four from New York City. Ample parking at the summit.
The Experience
The Skyline Drive climbs 3,200 feet through forested switchbacks to one of the highest peaks in southern Vermont. Temperatures at the summit are often noticeably cooler, even in midsummer, so please dress accordingly.
Road Rules & Safety
The road is narrow with steep grades. Recommended maximum vehicle length: 22 feet. No motorcycles in wet or icy conditions. Speed limit 15 mph. Pets must remain in vehicles on the road; leashed at the summit.
READY TO VISIT
Start your
drive today.
Get everything you need — directions, current road conditions, and hours — before you leave home.
Memorial Day Weekend — Sept. 30
All Vehicles & Driver
Additional Passenger / Rider
Children Under 10
$25
$5 each
Free
October 1 — October 31
All Vehicles & Driver
Additional Passenger / Rider
Children Under 10
$30
$5 each
Free
Group rates available — contact us for details.
PRESERVATION
Support Mount Equinox Skyline Drive.
The Skyline Drive is a privately operated, carefully maintained historic landmark that receives no state or federal funding.
Admission fees and direct contributions support the continued preservation of Mount Equinox, ongoing road maintenance,
and the protection of this remarkable mountain environment for future generations.
We thank you deeply for your support.