A View From a Castle in the Clouds

New Hampshire’s Lake region offers incredible views and vistas year-round but during Mid to late October, this area really shines. From the largest of New Hampshire’s lakes, Lake Winnipesaukee down to the smaller lakes such as Squam Lake of “On Golden Pond” fame, this area has much to offer leaf peepers.

Find and Explore the “Crows Nest”

(put this in your GPS: 455 Old Mountain Road, Moultonborough, NH 03254) If you travel north of Lake Winnipesaukee on route 25 you’ll find the signs directing you to then head south on route 171 and a short way down on the left you will find the entrance to the Castle in the Clouds.

The Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough New Hampshire.

The owner was made rich by lumber, but the great depression ruined him. Learn more by visiting. You can visit the Castle in the Clouds May through Oct, taking a tour of the grounds and seeing the panoramic views that the original owner enjoyed.

The Castle in the Clouds also known as "The Crow's Nest" overlooks Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains — The Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, New Hampshire. Purchase or view this in my gallery.

Drive in until you reach the small gatehouse where you pay $ for your entrance. Then drive up the side of the mountain to the lower parking lot and wait for the next shuttle to take you up to the house. (This may have changed since we have been there)

Caretakers will provide a tour of the different rooms of the house explaining the history of Tom Plant and his mountain estate, “Lucknow”.

View of Moultonborough Bay in fall colors

In exploring the estate, it does feel like you are in the clouds. Depending on your arrival date, (mid-Oct is best) and as you look down onto Moultonborough Bay, you may see a tapestry of fall colors surrounding the various lakes in the distance.

Castle in the clouds or the Crows Nest in autumn fall colors — The Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, New Hampshire. Purchase or view this in my gallery.

Back down at the lower parking lot, walk the surrounding trails, as Lisa and I did. The picture of the Crows Nest on high was from one of the trails below. The Castle in the Clouds also known as “The Crow’s Nest” overlooks Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains from a rocky outcropping of Lee Mountain.

Shannon Brook in autumn fall colors — Below the Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, New Hampshire lies Shannon Brook and you will find a series of cascades and small waterfalls running through the Autumn colors. Purchase or view this in my gallery

Once on the trails is a wooden walkway leading up to a small waterfall. Depending on the timing of fall colors, you may be treated to both a carpet of red-orange and gold leaves that reaches up into a canopy of New Hampshire fall color.

Jeff Foliage Folger

Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage

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