Fall Foliage Scenic Drive - Mohawk Trail Massachusetts
This is my favorite Massachusetts scenic drive, but especially
during the fall foliage season.
Stretching for 63 miles from the Massachusetts-New York border
to Millers Falls on the Connecticut River is a stretch of road
known as The Mohawk Trail. It offers one of Massachusetts most
beloved and popular fall foliage scenic drives area.
Attractions in the region of the Mohawk Trail are Mount
Greylock, The Bridge of Flowers, Glacial Potholes, a natural
marble bridge formed by erosion, state forests, old Indian
hiking trails, and a plethora of country inns, gift shops, and
arts and craft attractions.
The trail more or less follows the footpath trade and travel
route used by the peoples in this part of the northeast since
postglacial age. The path was well trodden and used to move
between the Hudson and Connecticut River valleys.
Anytime of the year traveling this same path by road through
this part of the Berkshire Hills is relaxing and inspiring...
but especially during fall foliage season when everything is
cloaked and carpeted in vibrant autumn colors.
This fall foliage scenic drive covers most of the major
attractions and plenty of time for stopping and admiring the
view or picking up an antique or two. The drive is approximately
65 miles but you should allow all day for viewing in an
unhurried and gentle manner.
Start on Route 7 in Lanesborough, just south of Route 2. Follow
Lanesborough one mile north to Rockwell Road on the right. This
road leads to the summit of Mount Greylock.
The trip to the summit offers splendid view of the valleys and
other peaks in the area. A few miles on Rockwell Road is the
Mount Greylock Visitor center. Here you can get trail maps and
general information about the area.
At the summit is the War Memorial Tower. The climb to the top of
a 92-foot-tall tower at the summit provides magnificent views of
five states. Once your summit viewing is complete take the Notch
Road down to meet the Mohawk Trail on Route 2 in North Adams.
North Adams celebrates the autumn season with the North Adams
Fall Foliage Festival and Parade. This is usually the last
weekend of September or the first weekend of October. In North
Adams is the Western Gateway Heritage State Park, which features
an exhibit on the building of the Hoosac Tunnel. Close by east
of North Adams off Route 2 and 8 is Natural Bridge State Park.
Follow Route 2 east out of North Adams ascending the Hoosac
Mountain Range until Hairpin Turn and then onto the Western
Summit. Here you can stop and admire the vistas of Mount
Greylock, Vermont's Green Mountains, and the valley below.
How fast or slow you take the next part of the journey depends
on time. Continuing on Route 2 east takes you though Charlemont
where the famous "Hail to the Sunrise" statue stands in Memorial
Park.
The eastern end of this scenic drive on the Mohawk Trail on
Route 2 takes you out to Shelburne Falls where you can view The
Bridge of Flowers - a transformed trolley bridge - and the
Glacial Potholes below Salmon Falls, where time has produced
interesting geological pools.
Scattered throughout this drive are state parks, hikes along
ancient trails, scenic views, and of course specialty shopping
and dinning opportunities. So as you wind your way around on
this tour take time to enjoy this area of a window into the
area's heritage.
For more information and details on the Mohawk Trail region
visit the trails official web site at www.mohawktrail.com.