This Is the No. 1 Winter Train in the U.S.-and It Goes Through a Forest, Gorgeous Rock Formations, and Passes by a Waterfall

"The Pikes Peak Cog Railway-aka "The Cog"-has carried travelers to the top of "America's Mountain" since 1891. The train stops at over 14,000 feet above sea level, where riders can get off and enjoy 360-degree views from the top of the mountain, including sights of the Continental Divide and the Rocky Mountain Range. En route to the top, the scenic railway passes through a national forest, cuts through a steep canyon, and travels alongside rock formations and a waterfall."

"The team at JR Pass recognized The Cog for its "flawless 5-star TripAdvisor rating" and the number of Instagram hashtags attached to the experience. It was given an index score of 8.28 out of a possible 10, tying it with the Stove Winter Train in Japan's Aomori prefecture. Both trains fell just behind the Canadian Rockies Snow Train, which earned an index score of 8.94 out of 10."

JR Pass commissioned a 2024 study analyzing TripAdvisor reviews, Instagram hashtags, and snowfall data to rank winter trains worldwide. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Manitou Springs, Colorado, placed No. 2 globally and No. 1 in the United States. The Cog has carried travelers to Pikes Peak since 1891 and is the world's highest cog railroad. The train climbs to over 14,000 feet, offering 360-degree summit views of the Continental Divide and Rocky Mountain Range. The route passes through national forest, steep canyon, rock formations, and a waterfall, with frequent sightings of elk, deer, and bighorn sheep. The full roundtrip takes about three hours; many riders book one-way tickets.

Read at Travel + Leisure