The route crosses the connecticut river via the historic french king bridge at a height of 140 feet. From the bridge enjoy a view of the falls and the fish as they make their upstream journey visible only in april, may and early june. Hairpin turn cultural feature locale in berkshire county. Approximately 3 miles past the hairpin turn, you will arrive at the first traffic light at dunkin donuts and mcdonalds. Route 2 runs the entire length of the northern tier of massachusetts, beginning at the new york border, where it connects with new york state route 2, and ending near boston common in boston. East of north adams, route 2 ascends via a hairpin turn into the hoosac range along what is known as the mohawk trail. Continuing on route 2 east, soon the road will enter florida, massachusetts. In the 1960s vacation patterns and highway routes changed. Im guessing well be ready for lunch between leominster and greenfield.
Stop and view the waterfalls before leaving the state forest. This is a famous enough place along the trail to have a restaurant and parking lot not to mention a gorgeous view that stretches across multiple states. The first and only guide to massachusetts and ny route 2 for almost a century, new england has been famous for its scenic auto roads. Please check with each restaurant for current hours.
When the route first opened in 1914, many cars had to stop here, waiting for their engines to cool. Hairpin turn, mohawk trail, massachusetts library of. Travelling on route 2 in nw massachusetts to the only true hairpin turn in the state. The hairpin turn on the mohawk trail, north adams, massachusetts. Dont worry about multiple submissions from other witnesses, as our safety editors will turn multiple witness reports into a single unified accident report. The hairpin turn on the mohawk trail is aptly named.
Hairpin turn is a cultural feature locale in berkshire county. The mohawk trail the first and only guide to massachusetts and ny route 2 for almost a century, new england has been famous for its scenic auto roads. The mohawk trail road follows route 2 from charlemont to north adams and the address of the mohawk trail state forest is 175 mohawk trail route 2. With advance planning, you can schedule a zip line tour at zoar outdoor or berkshire east, both in charlemont, very close to route 2. Feb 10, 2020 we traveled the mohawk trail along rt. With that in mind, the 63mile mohawk trail one of the oldest, most beloved scenic highways in the united states affords many spectacular mountain views with the famous hairpin turn at the clarksburg, north adams line on route 2 peaking as one of the most impressive scenic new england fall destinations.
Also known as route 2, the trail was one of the united states first designated scenic highways. North adams is full of culture and shopping and interesting sights. Take route 91 south into massachusetts to route 2 in greenfield. My husband and i are heading from portland to the berkshires for a quick overnight trip tomorrow going to see wilco at mass moca woohoo.
North adams boomed into existence with the construction of the hoosac tunnel in the late 19th century, and its mills prospered until the 1970s, a period when much of its fine victorianera downtown was razed in the. Route 2 hairpin turn to deerfield river edit this river. First point of interest on the trail is the hairpin turn, where the trail rises sharply to the. My brush with death on the hairpin turn at mohawk trail, north adams, ma being a native of eastern massachusetts, im used to route 2 being an interstate highwaytype road. Massachusetts fall foliage scenic drives, sightseeing tours. Our annual pancake breakfast will be here at the golden eagle restaurant in clarksburg, massachusetts. Oct, 2008 travelling on route 2 in nw massachusetts to the only true hairpin turn in the state. The eastern terminus is at route 3a in plymouth, massachusetts. This turn overlooks the city of north adams and the beautiful taconic mountains.
Be sure to also grab a bite to eat at the golden eagle restaurant, located right at the turn. The primary coordinates for hairpin turn places it within the ma 01247 zip code delivery area in the maps and aerial photos section below, youll find links to. Route 2 and you will find the restaurant located on the hairpin turn. The road reaches a high elevation of 2272 feet at whitcomb summit. North adams boomed into existence with the construction of the hoosac tunnel in the late 19th century, and its mills prospered until the 1970s, a period when much of its fine victorianera. Famous hairpin turn, mohawk trail courtesy of the library of congress. Mohawk trail bridge across the deerfield tall spruce and steep banks on eastern hillside, mohawk trail near the top of western slope mohawk trail curve near cold water bridge, mohawk trail the hairpin turn on western slope, mohawk trail. Im wondering where we should stop for lunch along the way well be getting on to route 2 from 495 and then obviously heading west. In the berkshires, there are several routes that are especially dramatic and well worth the trip. Once part of the town of adams, it was originally named after samuel adams, an important leader in the american revolution and a signer of the declaration of independence. Hairpin turn on the mohawk trail north adams, ma scenic roadside lookouts on. In greenfield, route 2 merges onto interstate 91 for approximately 3 miles watch for route 2 west exit. Massachusetts 2017 highpointers konvention home facebook. There is an excellent view of king philips rock, allegedly the site of the first planting of the french flag on american soil.
The mohawk trail is located in charlemont, florida, and savoy in franklin and berkshire counties in massachusetts. But its history and allure give it a legacy few roads can match. Before you get to the next major town, north adams, you will navigate a crazy, nearly 360degree hairpin turn. Dont miss the bridge of flowers and the views at the hairpin turn. Today the mohawk trail is a part of routes 2 and 2a. Travelling to the hairpin turn in massachusetts youtube. On your driving tour of mohawk trail, start in north adams and end in greenfield. Map for cold river, massachusetts, white water, route 2.
Officially a 63mile portion of massachusetts route 2 between millers falls and the new york border, the mohawk is at its most elemental level a 42mile twolane link between greenfield and williamstown. While gps technology allows us to pinpoint any location on the planet, mark the location, and share it with others, waymarking is the toolset for categorizing and adding unique information for that location. From here, the mahican mohawk trail head south along the hoosac range on a trail built and managed by the berkshire natural resources council bnrc. The mohawk trail scenic road is open for visitors yearround. Being a native of eastern massachusetts, im used to route 2 being an interstate highwaytype road. Just below the kancamagus pass, the highway drops quickly down the eastern. Full online access to this resource is only available at the library of congress. Hairpin turn v3 is one of the exhilarating driving features on this road. Car trips western mass scenic driving western ma tours. The views were wonderful and the drive was very relaxing. Route 20 to the south, these highways are the main alternatives to the massachusetts turnpikei90 toll highway. It followed the millers river, deerfield river and crossed the hoosac range, in the area that is now northwestern massachusetts. Out in western massachusetts, though, once you get past gardner, it turns into backroads.
Mohawk trail driving tours visit western ma mohawk trail. Continue west on route 2, turn south on route 2a on french king highway where the road will take you into greenfield, back to the starting point. The mohawk trail began as a native american trade route which connected atlantic tribes with tribes in upstate new york and beyond. This will ensure that you get the most out of the byway. North adamsafter youve completed the famous hairpin turn on route 2, youll arrive at north. To complete the tour, turn left on route 2 and return to williamstown. Hairpin turn in berkshire county, ma hometownlocator. The mohawk trails vintage lookout towers, motor courts, tearooms, and trading posts faded. The western terminus is at us 209 and new york state route 55 ny 55 in kerhonkson, new york, a hamlet in the hudson valley region. Sep 07, 2016 with that in mind, the 63mile mohawk trail one of the oldest, most beloved scenic highways in the united states affords many spectacular mountain views with the famous hairpin turn at the clarksburg, north adams line on route 2 peaking as one of the most impressive scenic new england fall destinations. Blue dot put in, red dot take out above map supplied by wanan w.
Mohawk trail driving tours driving tours massachusetts. The 1965 opening of the massachusetts turnpike route 90 knocked an hour off the time it takes to cross the state and further backroaded route 2. At just about three hours from beginning to end, a selfdrive tour of route 2 is the perfect way to experience many. Take route 8 in north adams north from the trail to mccauley road. Stop at scenic french king bridge which is 750 feet long, 140 feet above the waters of the connecticut river. Fall in the berkshires the berkshires official travel. Hairpin turns like this are many along the trail, which cuts through the beautiful berkshire mountains and a state forest, providing an.
Massachusetts route 2 historic selfdrive tour merrimack valley. The primary coordinates for hairpin turn places it within the ma 01247 zip code delivery area. In the maps and aerial photos section below, youll find links to. Patricia harris for the boston globepatricia harris the kanc. Route 2 proceeds east from the new york state line on a winding, scenic path in berkshire county through williamstown, where it serves the williams college area and through north adams, where it serves the massachusetts college of liberal arts.
Drive through williamstown a quintessential new england college town, with historic brick buildings and classic white churches and turn south on route 7 for views of farms and orchards. I am looking forward to taking my daughter and her children to explore the fossils and the hairpin turn, the grandchildren are into geology and this. Hairpin turn on the mohawk trail north adams, ma scenic. The next stop on the mohawk trail is in florida, massachusetts. Oct 07, 2012 for dining with a view at the hairpin turn above north adams, try the golden eagle restaurant 1935 mohawk trail, clarksburg. Driving the mohawk trail in massachusetts the new york times. Turn right on northwest hill road for 100 yards to the entrance. Massachusetts route 2 historic selfdrive tour merrimack. Cold river, massachusetts franklin county, route 2 hairpin turn to deerfield river section road map. After passing the hairpin turn in north adams, the williamstown theatre festival is approximately 8 miles on your right, just before the.
Jul 22, 2009 is a way to mark unique locations on the planet and give them a voice. From the revolutionary battlefields of lexington and concord to the majestic berkshires, massachusetts route 2 is one of the commonwealths most historic and scenic roadways. Take a ride to the popular hairpin turn in north adamsclarksburg. Roads going up mountains are formed into hairpin turns, a sharp bend in a road on a steep incline. Hairpin turn at the western summit, a popular launching point for hang gliders, the view reaches on toward the sunset. There is a restaurant there, the food is very good there. From here, the mahican mohawk trail head south along the hoosac range on a trail built and managed by the. The mohawk trail road follows route 2 from charlemont to north adams and the address of the mohawk trail state forest is 175 mohawk trailroute 2. Route 2 is a major eastwest state highway in massachusetts.
Start on the mohawk trail along route 2 near clarksburg, a route that includes the famous hairpin turn and magnificent view of extraordinarily vibrant foliage. East of north adams, route 2 ascends via a hairpin turn into the hoosac range along what is known as the mohawk. On the western side of the summit there is the popular hairpin turn and lookout, overlooking the city of north adams and the taconic mountains. Turn right onto east road in adams, which runs parallel with route 8 north. Take route 2 west approximately 35 miles to north adams. For dining with a view at the hairpin turn above north adams, try the golden eagle restaurant 1935 mohawk trail, clarksburg. The trail is the states premier fall foliage route, especially the section from greenfield to north adams. Route 2 then enters franklin county, meeting interstate 91 at an interchange in greenfield and briefly runs concurrently with i91. See more ideas about trail, shelburne falls and north adams. Hairpin turn is one of the exhilarating driving features on this road. Berkshires fall foliage new england fall foliage berkshires. Look for signage, a right turn to savoy mountain state forest leading to the center. Scenic routes, like the mohawk trail in massachusetts, fed the backtonature movement while allowing americans to indulge their growing love affair with the automobile. You can follow the mohawk trail if desired for more beautiful views of massachusetts.
Renewable to study the impact of its hydropower operations on whitewater boating on the deerfield river in. Massachusetts route 2 wikipedia republished wiki 2. Head east on route 2 for four miles and youll reach hairpin turn. Walk from the west on the mohawk trail the berkshire. My brush with death on the hairpin turn at mohawk trail.
On the western side of the summit there is the popular hairpin turn and. Digital collection hairpin turn, mohawk trail, mass. After greenfield, route 2 also called the mohawk trail becomes a winding, steep road at times. I drove the route in late october so missed the peak of the fall but with the roof down on my. American whitewater is the primary advocate for the preservation and protection of whitewater rivers throughout the united states and connects the interests of humanpowered recreational river users with ecological and sciencebased data to achieve goals within our mission. The hairpin turn depicted on this postcard of the mohawk trail was and remains one of the route s most famous stops. One of the few true hairpin turns in the us, this location. Title hairpin turn, mohawk trail, massachusetts summary. The mohawk trail is my preferred method of crossing from central new york through massachusetts to boston. A trailhead and parking are located near the western summit on route 2 above the hairpin turn in north adams. Fall in the berkshires the berkshires official travel website. Route 2, the mohawk trail, drops 700 feet in about two miles, resulting in this switchback.
Lexingtonbegin your selfdrive tour of route 2 in lexington. Walk from the west on the mohawk trail the berkshire eagle. Mohawk trail massachusetts 2020 all you need to know. North adamsafter youve completed the famous hairpin turn on route 2, youll arrive at north adams, the smallest city in the commonwealth. Look for signage, a right turn to savoy mountain state forest leading to the center of savoy. The hairpin turn depicted on this postcard of the mohawk trail was and remains one of the routes most famous stops.
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