From the south shore of Boston to Cape Cod and the Quabbin Reservoir area in the middle of the state, there are many beautiful drives to see the fall foliage. But the Berkshires and Mount Greylock area in the west may have been the most interesting. Here in the mountains, the terrain and weather are just right to show off all of fall's beauty.
And I can see this best on one of my favourite scenic drives in Massachusetts. The Mohawk Trail is a stretch of road that goes from the border between Massachusetts and New York to Millers Falls on the Connecticut River. It is 63 miles long. It is one of the most beautiful places to drive through the fall foliage in Massachusetts.
Mount Greylock, The Bridge of Flowers, Glacial Potholes, a natural marble bridge made by erosion, state forests, old Indian hiking trails, and a large number of villages, country inns, gift shops, and arts and crafts sites are all near the Mohawk Trail.
People in this part of the northeast have used this path to trade and travel on foot since the end of the last ice age. People used to walk along this path to get from the Hudson River valley to the Connecticut River valley.
The same road through the northern part of the Berkshire Hills is relaxing and inspiring any time of year, but especially during the fall foliage season when everything is covered in bright colours.
This drive takes you past most of the major sights and gives you plenty of time to stop and take in the view or pick up a few antiques. The drive is about 65 miles, but you should give yourself the whole day to look around at your own pace.
Start in Lanesborough, just south of Route 2, on Route 7. Follow Lanesborough one mile north until it turns right into Rockwell Road. This road leads to the top of Mount Greylock, which is the highest point in Massachusetts and one of the highest in the long Taconic Mountain range.
On the way to the top, you can see the valleys and other peaks in the area. The Mount Greylock Visitor Center is a few miles down Rockwell Road. You can find maps of the trails and general information about the area here. If you have time, you can walk down and around the top on easy paths.
The War Memorial Tower is at the top of the hill. At the summit, you can climb to the top of a 92-foot-tall tower to see beautiful views of five states. Once you're done looking at the view from the top, go down the Notch Road until you reach the Mohawk Trail on Route 2 in North Adams.
The North Adams Fall Foliage Festival and Parade is a way for the town to enjoy the fall season. Usually, this happens on the last weekend of September or the first weekend of October. The Western Gateway Heritage State Park is in North Adams. It has an exhibit about how the Hoosac Tunnel was built. East of North Adams, between Routes 2 and 8, there is a park called Natural Bridge State Park. Here, rock cracks and erosion have left behind a natural bridge.
From North Adams, take Route 2 east. As you go up the Hoosac Mountain Range, stop at Hairpin Turn and then go to the Western Summit. Here, you can stop and look out over Mount Greylock, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and the valley below.
Time will determine how fast or slow you go on the next part of the trip. If you keep going east on Route 2, you'll get to Charlemont, where the famous "Hail to the Sunrise" statue is in Memorial Park. This scenic drive on the Mohawk Trail on Route 2 ends at Shelburne Falls, where you can see The Bridge of Flowers, which is an old trolley bridge that has been changed, and the Glacial Potholes below Salmon Falls, which are strange geological pools that have formed over time.
There are state parks, hikes on old trails, beautiful views, and, of course, places to shop and eat that are unique to the area. So, as you wind your way through this tour, take some time to enjoy this area, which gives you a glimpse into the history of the area.
In short, the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts is a beautiful place to see fall foliage that you shouldn't miss. When you combine the drive with a weekend getaway in the Berkshires and many other things to do in the area, you have a fall foliage destination package that you will remember for many fall seasons to come.
Visit www.mohawktrail.com, which is the official website for the Mohawk Trail, to learn more about the area.
