The Mohawk Trail | The Ultimate Massachusetts Scenic Drive

As far as New England scenic drives go, the Mohawk Trail has it all. With over 60 miles of scenery, small town stops, and roadside attractions, it’s no wonder that tourists have flocked to this western Massachusetts route for over a century. It’s also steeped in history: for many more centuries before it was formally dubbed “The Mohawk Trail,” Native American tribes used the path as a trade route. But since its formal debut on October 22, 1914, as New England’s first official “scenic tourist route,” many of the towns along this winding road have blossomed into bustling hubs of art and culture. As a result, unlike other scenic New England drives like New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway and Acadia National Park’s Park Loop Road, the Mohawk Trail offers numerous cultural attractions, shops, and lodging opportunities along the way. Now, nearby towns such as Williamstown, North Adams, and Shelburne Falls provide visitors with ample opportunity to linger and explore. Ready to learn what it’s like to drive The Mohawk Trail? Read on!

The Mohawk Trail | The Ultimate Massachusetts Scenic Drive

There are few roads in New England which attract visitors simply by being roads. Not only is this true for the Mohawk Trail now, but it has been true for many, many years. What now makes up one portion of Massachusetts’ Route 2 marks what originally served as a Native American trade path, and reminders of the trail’s long history can still be seen at many points along the way. When the automobile was invented, work began to transform the route into a gravel, single-lane road. After the official fanfare was over and tourists began to consistently drive the road, establishments began to pop up alongside. The route now winds through and past numerous Massachusetts towns and communities, a map of which can be seen below. That said, despite the many modern day conveniences which dot the roadsides, The Mohawk Trail retains much of its historic and rural charm. As Yankee editor Ian Aldrich wrote in the 2014 feature on the trail (which also featured the first aerial image, above, and the map, below), “There’s a restless quality to the road—it has no single identity. You’re on a mountain. You’re beside a river. You’re in a small town. You’re passing through farmland. You can buzz along at 50 mph, or just let yourself get lost, meandering off on some inviting side road.”

The trail is also a medley of many of the region’s finest assets. Foodies will appreciate the trail’s many dining options, those in search of a beverage might enjoy visiting one the many breweries or cideries along the way, and coffee fiends will enjoy the many roadside coffee shops. Those in search of some fresh air will appreciate all of the trail’s natural beauty, since part of the trail runs alongside the Deerfield River and in the distance the Berkshire mountains can be spotted from many points along the way. The highest point of the route, Whitcomb Summit, overlooks surrounding towns and mountains and — like many points on the Mohawk Trail — is truly a photographer’s dream.

Take a journey down the Mohawk Trail and get the intel on some of our favorite roadside stops through the photos below, and learn more about the history of the Mohawk Trail by reading our 2014 feature celebrating the trail’s 100th anniversary.

The Mohawk Trail | Photos

 

And that concludes our drive! Have you ever driven the Mohawk Trail? Let us know in the comments below!

SEE MORE:

14 Favorite Fall Drives in New England

Massachusetts Fall Foliage Guide

Prettiest Fall Foliage Villages in Massachusetts

PRINT