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Fall Foliage Scenic Drive In Massachusetts
pectacular fall foliage formed by erosion, state forests,
scenic drives are plentiful old Indian hiking trails, and a
in Massachusetts from the plethora of villages, country
south shore of Boston down to inns, gift shops, and arts and
Cape Cod, and the Quabbin craft attractions.
Reservoir area of the central
region. But perhaps the most The trail more or less follows
dramatic lay out west in the the footpath trade and travel
Berkshires and Mount Greylock route used by the peoples in this
region. Here the mountains part of the northeast since
provide the perfect terrain and postglacial age. The path was
temperatures to showcase fall in well trodden and used to move
its entire splendor. between the Hudson and
Connecticut River valleys.
And nowhere is this most evident
than on one of my favorite Anytime of the year traveling
Massachusetts scenic drives. this same path by road through
Stretching for 63 miles from the the northern section of the
Massachusetts-New York border to Berkshire Hills is relaxing and
Millers Falls on the Connecticut inspiring... but especially
River is a stretch of road known during fall foliage season when
as The Mohawk Trail. It offers everything is cloaked and
one of Massachusetts most beloved carpeted in vibrant autumn
and popular fall foliage scenic colors.
drive areas.
This fall foliage scenic drive
Attractions in the region of the covers most of the major
Mohawk Trail are Mount Greylock, attractions and plenty of time
The Bridge of Flowers, Glacial for stopping and admiring the
Potholes, a natural marble bridge view or picking up an antique or
two. The drive is approximately for your efforts. Once your
65 miles but you should allow all summit viewing is complete take
day for viewing in an unhurried the Notch Road down to meet the
and gentle manner. Mohawk Trail on Route 2 in North
Adams.
Start on Route 7 in Lanesborough,
just south of Route 2. Follow North Adams celebrates the autumn
Lanesborough one mile north to season with the North Adams Fall
Rockwell Road on the right. This Foliage Festival and Parade. This
road leads to the summit of Mount is usually the last weekend of
Greylock - the highest peak in September or the first in
Massachusetts and one of the October. In North Adams is the
loftiest in the long Taconic Western Gateway Heritage State
Mountain range. Park, which features an exhibit
on the building of the Hoosac
The trip to the summit offers a Tunnel. Close by east of North
splendid view of the valleys and Adams off Route 2 and 8 is
other peaks in the area. A few Natural Bridge State Park - here
miles on Rockwell Road is the the remains of rock fractures and
Mount Greylock Visitor center. erosion has built a natural
Here you can get trail maps and bridge formation.
general information about the
area. If you’ve got the time some Follow Route 2 east out of North
easy walking trails lead down and Adams ascending the Hoosac
around the summit. Mountain Range until Hairpin Turn
and then onto the Western Summit.
At the summit is the War Memorial Here you can stop and admire the
Tower. The climb to the top of vistas of Mount Greylock,
the 92-foot-tall tower offers Vermont’s Green Mountains, and
magnificent views of five states the valley below.
are state parks, hikes along
How fast or slow you take the ancient trails, scenic views, and
next part of the journey depends of course specialty shopping and
on time. Continuing on Route 2 dinning opportunities. So as you
east takes you though Charlemont wind your way around on this tour
where the famous "Hail to the take time to enjoy this area of a
Sunrise" statue stands in window into the area’s heritage.
Memorial Park. The eastern end of
this scenic drive on the Mohawk In summary, the Mohawk Trail is a
Trail on Route 2 takes you out to not-to-be-missed fall foliage
Shelburne Falls where you can scenic trail in Massachusetts.
view The Bridge of Flowers - a Combine the drive with a getaway
transformed trolley bridge - and weekend in the Berkshires and
the Glacial Potholes below Salmon many other attractions in the
Falls, where time has produced area, and you’ve a fall foliage
unusual geological pools. destination package to create
memories for many a fall to come.
Scattered throughout the region
About the Author:
For more details on these and other Massachusetts scenic drives and to pick up your free travel reports go to Cliff Calderwood's online vacation guide for New England at: http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/
Read more articles by: Cliff Calderwood
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