The Mohawk Trail

Souvenir dinner plates and sepia picture postcards come to mind along the Mohawk Trail, which seems perpetually stuck in an era of early-twentieth-century auto-touring. The route was established as a scenic byway in 1914, and still has a retro feel, with motor-lodges, cottages, Native American trading posts, and scenic overlooks lining the roller coaster ride through the mountains.

Historically speaking, the Mohawk really did use the stretch of what is now Route 2 that bears their name. The Mohawk hiked from New York [1] through the mountains to find prime fishing spots and, on more than one occasion, to attack enemies—including the infamous French-Indian raid on Deerfield [2] in 1704. Nowadays the biggest threat is the lack of amenities between Greenfield [2] and North Adams [3]. Make sure your gas tank is full and brakes and coolant are in prime condition before tackling the scenic stretch.