Fall Foliage Scenic Drives in New England - Introduction

Fall foliage in New England really begins in August. The shortening daylight hours trigger the deciduous trees to begin the process of shedding their leaves. It happens all around North America, and all around the world.

But in New England it's special.

Why is fall foliage in New England so different and special?

It's a factor of many things but mostly an abundance of different types of deciduous trees, warm autumn days, and cool - but not freezing - nights. When these and a few other conditions are all mixed in the right proportions, then you get the world famous stunning shades of reds, yellows, oranges, and browns on the hills and mountain sides of New England.

Between mid-September to late-October, visitors flock to New England to see the fall foliage. These six scenic drives offer some of the best autumn views available from anywhere on the planet.

This is an introduction to a series of six articles that provide details and routes on each of These tours.

Fall Foliage Scenic Drive - Mohawk Trail Massachusetts

The most popular tour Fall Foliage in Massachusetts are located along the famous Mohawk Trail. This route rolls through the northwestern part of the state on route 2, and winds through the hills and mountains of the Berkshires, touching, picturesque towns such as Williamstown, Deerfield, Shelbourne, Colrain, Charlemont and Shelburne Falls.

Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts, offersspectacular views of the surrounding area and Mohawk Trail.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY NEW HAMPSHIRE

New Hampshire has many scenic drives in the White Mountain National Forest but at the top of the list has to be the 34-mile Kancamagus Scenic Highway that runs along route 112 from Conway to White Mountains Visitor Center in Lincoln. This drive is considered by many to be the top fall foliage New England scenic drive. It has beautiful forests ablaze with autumn colors and plenty of photo opportunities with walks along gorges and streams, and with views of the highest mountains in the Presidential Range.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - CENTRAL VERMONT AREA

In Vermont nature planted all the high peaks in the south - although the North Kingdom has great color as well. But arguably Vermont's best loved fall foliage drive is in the Central Vermont area, around Killington, and the towns and highways of Woodstock, Rutland and Ludlow. This is deep in The Green Mountain National Forest area, and not surprisingly offers spectacular fall foliage color and scenery.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - LAKES AND LEAVES MAINE

Parts of Maine are the first to display peak fall foliage color in New England. With Maine's many driving loops to choose from, it's difficult to single out one. But the Lakes and Leaves drive that touches the shores of Moosehead Lake on Route 15 before heading south on route 201 is ever popular. You'll see unparalleled fall foliage views of the tree-lined banks of the Kennebec River, and the surrounding mountains on this Maine Scenic Highway.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - RHODE ISLAND COAST

Fall vacationers in Rhode Island have open roads and coastal drives to satisfy their leaf peeping. The 61-mile Rhode Island Coast Scenic Drive follows the coastline east from Westerly before turning north along Narragansett Bay, and eventually over Newport Bridge on route 138. The Trip ends in the beautiful Ocean Drive in historic Newport. A Twist nice beach with a unit of foliage decline.

Fall Foliage Scenic Drive - Route 169 Connecticut

Not during the autumn leaves the state of Connecticut has its own little corner of the popular autumn leaf spotting sites, some of the best tours are on Route 169 in the age of the ice, are part of the Quinebaug River floodplain are exceeded .

Fall Foliage Scenic Drive - Lakes and Leaves Maine

Maine is one of the most heavily forested states in the nation, containing over 17 million acres of natural beauty, hikes, and magnificent summer and fall foliage scenic drives.

This scenic drive is through Maine backcountry. A rugged environment of thick forests and impressive mountain terrain.

The drive is magnificent in summer but not-to-be-missed in fall foliage season.

The route follows a 218-mile loop through central west Maine along the lower western shore of Moosehead Lake, and then runs parallel with the tree-lined banks of the Kennebec River. It's best experienced over a few days rather than a one-day excursion trip, and lodging reservations are recommended during the popular fall foliage season.

Let's get you started...

In the first part of the tour you'll wind your way towards the town of Greenville on the southern tip of Moosehead Lake. Begin the tour in the town of Skowhegan by taking Route 150 to Route 151 in Athens. Follow Route 151 west to Newport where you'll pick up Route 7 to Dover-Foxcroft.

Take Route 6 to Guilford, and then follow Route 6/15 north to Greenville.

At Greenville stop and relax for a bit. Greenville is a center for those seeking the pastimes of hunting, fishing, hiking and boating in the area. It's also home to a number of attractions in the area.

One such attraction is the 110-foot SS Katahdin, a popular steamship that cruises on Moosehead Lake during the summer and through fall foliage. It leaves from the center of Greenville.

A 20-mile excursion east of Greenville takes you to beautiful Gulf Hagas. This is a stunning 3-mile-long gorge, with waterfalls, water chutes, deep pools, and vertical walls 300 feet tall in places. The hike is especially scenic during fall foliage. For those spreading this scenic drive over multiple days this is a must-do side trip.

The Greenville area also boasts splendid hikes along the close-by Appalachian Trail.

If you're intending to stay overnight then Greenville offers your best opportunity for lodging.

The scenic drive continues along Route 6/15 passing Big Squaw Mountain and Ski Area on the left, and winding along the Moosehead Lake shore to the village of Rockwood. Once at Rockwood you'll see across the water the imposing Mount Kineo with its sheer cliff face rising over 700 feet from the deepest point in Moosehead Lake.

Stay on Route 6/15 and head west to Jackman. This 30-mile portion of the scenic drive is all about Maine wilderness. Look out for opportunities to stop and admire the summer or fall foliage views in the hills and on scenic lookouts across the lakes and ponds along the road.

Just south of Jackman Route 6/15 will connect with Route 201, and you'll follow Route 201 south towards The Forks along the National Scenic Byway.

Jackman is a canoeing center, famous for the 42-mile Moose River Bow Trip. The canoe trip takes two or more days and is a favorite of outdoor enthusiasts. It's one of the few remaining wilderness canoe trips in the Northeast, and organized tours are run by local operators.

Continue on Route 201 south to The Forks where the Kennebec and Dead Rivers meet. The Forks is base for popular and awe-inspiring whitewater rafting trips on the two rivers.

A few miles west of The Forks is Moxie Falls, at 90-feet one of the tallest waterfalls in New England.

The scenic drive continues south on Route 201 to Bingham. This stretch of the road follows the Kennebec River through Caratunk, offering magnificent views of the river and surrounding hills, and is one of the best fall foliage sections on this tour.

Follow Route 201 back to Skowhegan to complete the tour.

Fall Foliage Scenic Drive - Rhode Costa Iceland

This Iceland Rhode Scenic Drive is delicious any time of year, but with the added touch of autumn foliage color deepens the experience and appreciation of the coast of Rhode Island and surrounding villages.

This is a 61-mile-Episode One-Way scenic road on Route 1A along Block Island Sound until towards the north to the western shore of Narragansett Bay. The unit hooks to the end with Route 138 east of the historic Newport and the scenic 10 miles SeaDrive.

Along the way are many detours for lighthouses, wildlife refuge trails, beach walks, hiking in the quiet village of autumn splendor.

Let's go ...

Start the drive south on U.S. Highway 1A from Westerly. Look for signs Watch Hill Road, which takes you into Watch Hill, a beautifully preserved Victorian seaside resort.

Attractions in Watch Hill include The Flying Horse Carousel, the oldest continuously operating merry-go-roundCarousel in the U.S. and the Watch Hill Lighthouse, a granite and brick masonry masterpiece of the 19th Century. The Lighthouse has no parking, so you park in the city and walk, which lasts for 15 minutes to arrive.

Take the scenic route, tracing the way back to U.S. 1A and head East. Route 1A merges with Route 1 as you drive to Charles Town and place Judith. This part of the hard drive is full of beaches and trails for saline and Wildlife Areasprotected by the natural barrier beach in Iceland Sound Block.

Follow Route 1 until it with Route 108 south and cut his head down Point Judith and the intersection of Route 1A. Travel the short distance to Point Judith Lighthouse, built in 1857. Here is another great view of Block Iceland and its cliffs in the distance.

Take Route 1A North to Narragansett Pier and on farms and around the river Pettaquamscutt. This area of the stone walls plantations and forests once housed many Rhode Island, the state gave the plantation its official name of Rhode Island and Providence.

In autumn, the woods are ablaze with autumn and add a splash of color to meet the tour costs.

Continue north, until it encounters along scenic Route 138 and then east on Route 138 over Jamestown Bridge Conanicut Iceland and then over the magnificent Newport Bridge into town> Newport.

Newport is situated at the southern tip of Aquidneck Island, and the last stop on this fall foliage scenic route. And 'one of my favorite cities in New England - all year - but especially in autumn.

After the Newport Bridge follow the signs to the Transportation Center. Stay on the main road that winds through the harbor area and eventually Memorial Drive, Bellevue Avenue until you come to the right.

Ocean Drive is 10 milesPath that starts on Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Avenue follows a rocky peninsula with fishing coves, beaches and public parks.

The Ocean Avenue is part of the path of the most scenic with magnificent houses on rocky hills and the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop in full force. Brenton State Park is a halfway point on Ocean Drive and is popular for picnicking and kite flying.

As you head out of the park, because you're back on the road to Newport Harbor and beyond,Castle Hill Lighthouse, Hammersmith Farm, and Fort Adams Park

The Fort Adams State Park is located on Harrison Avenue and turn left at the next intersection and turn left again onto Halidon Avenue. Continue right onto Wellington Avenue and ends on the left side from King Park, Newport, south of the port, and leads back to the city, where the tour.