New England's original scenic auto road climbs from the Connecticut River Valley over the Berkshire summits on a century-old ribbon of hairpin curves and blazing sugar maples.
Opened in 1914 as one of America's first scenic touring roads, the Mohawk Trail follows Route 2 for roughly 63 miles from Orange to North Adams, tracing the Deerfield River before climbing over the Hoosac Range. Add the side trip up Mount Greylock — the state's highest peak — and a finish in Williamstown for a complete 2–3 day Berkshires foliage loop.
A 1932 steel arch bridge spanning the Connecticut River at the French King Gorge, about 140 feet above the water. The pedestrian walkway gives a long view up the river corridor framed in early-turning reds and oranges. It's the classic eastern gateway to the Trail.
Arch bridge over the Connecticut River
A former trolley bridge over the Deerfield River planted with hundreds of varieties of flowers and shrubs, still blooming into October. Walk the village's historic shopping district and see the glacial potholes carved into the riverbed below Salmon Falls. One of the most photographed spots in western Massachusetts.
Flower-covered trolley bridge
Some of the state's largest old-growth pines shade the Cold River as Route 2 threads a narrow valley here. Nearby in Charlemont stand the Bissell Covered Bridge and the 'Hail to the Sunrise' statue honoring the Mohawk people. The river-and-ridge scenery through this stretch is the heart of the drive.
Old-growth forest river valley
At about 2,173 feet, this is the highest point on the Mohawk Trail, with a wide panorama across the Deerfield Valley toward Vermont's Green Mountains. Color arrives here a week or more ahead of the valleys. A roadside elk monument honors Massachusetts veterans.
Highest point on the Trail
The Trail's famous switchback drops off the Western Summit toward North Adams in one dramatic curve. The overlook takes in the Hoosac Valley, North Adams, and Mount Greylock across the way. A lookout stop has stood here since the road opened in 1914.
Iconic switchback overlook
One of the country's largest contemporary art museums fills a sprawling 19th-century mill complex in downtown North Adams. It makes a perfect rainy-morning or mid-drive culture break between mountain stretches. The surrounding mill town is ringed by foliage-covered hillsides.
Contemporary art in a mill complex
A seasonal auto road climbs to the 3,491-foot summit of Massachusetts' highest mountain, topped by the Veterans War Memorial Tower. On a clear day the view reaches five states, with the Taconics and Green Mountains rolling away in full color. Enter via Notch Road from North Adams.
Five-state summit panorama
The Trail's western terminus is a classic New England college town, home to Williams College and the Clark Art Institute. Its elm-lined streets and surrounding pastureland make a gentle landing after the mountain miles. A good overnight base for looping back or continuing down Route 7.
College-town finish line
Clarksburg
Shelburne Falls
Erving/Gill
Mount Greylock summit
Golden hour rules apply double in foliage season: shoot the big overlooks in the first and last hour of light, and save overcast middays for waterfalls and forest interiors — flat light saturates reds that harsh sun washes out.
Walkable riverside village mid-route with inns and B&Bs steps from the Bridge of Flowers.
Mill-town revival base at the foot of the Hairpin Turn and Greylock, anchored by MASS MoCA.
Classic college-town lodging and museums at the Trail's western end.
Family-run counter joint on Eagle Street since 1917, still using the original grill — chili dogs and hand-cut fries.
Perched right on the Hairpin Turn, a travelers' stop site since 1914 with panoramic Hoosac Valley views from the dining room.
From Williamstown, continue south past Pittsfield and Stockbridge to Great Barrington for a second day of valley foliage, Norman Rockwell country, and southern Berkshires hill towns.
Estimated color status across the region right now — enter any ZIP along the drive to see how the higher stretches compare with the valleys.
Estimated color status around Boston, MA, computed from the state’s typical peak window adjusted for each area’s elevation and latitude (higher and more northern terrain turns earlier). Try the Terrain style to see why ridgelines turn first. A climatology-based estimate — scout reports and webcams beat any model in the final week.
Itinerary researched and verified August 2026 (routes, fees, seasonal closures, and long-established stops). Conditions change — confirm park roads and seasonal businesses in the final week before you go. Timing windows come from the Massachusetts foliage forecast.