Bike Trails on Different Scales

The Franklin County Bikeway offers a countywide overview by bicycle: the regional trail network covers approximately 240 miles. Its routes are marked with signs and shown on maps for the eastern, central and western parts of the county. This makes it possible to follow the network’s layout on the map without mistaking its total length for a single route.

The Canalside Rail Trail offers a different scale. It follows a former rail line for 3.7 miles and is suitable for easy cycling. The trail is also suitable for walking and picnicking. Unlike the countywide bikeway, it focuses on one specific, measured section. Together, the two bike trails offer different perspectives on getting around: a single trail or a network whose maps show three county areas.

Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation is ideal for hiking and mountain biking. Mohawk Trail State Forest offers a landscape on a very different scale: it covers 6,000 acres of ridges, ravines and forests. Trout fishing is also possible in the park’s rivers and streams. Hiking and biking in the reservation and fishing in the state forest are different activities, each connected to a specific natural area.

Forest and Water on the Mohican–Mohawk Recreation Trail

Approximately 30 miles of the Mohican–Mohawk Recreation Trail are open and designated in Massachusetts. They run along former rail lines, forest roads and country roads. Another 10 miles of the trail can be traveled by paddlecraft on the Deerfield River. Thus, the route described includes both land trails and an additional water route; the surfaces and modes of travel differ considerably.

Discover History and Culture

Historic Deerfield interprets the history and culture of early America in an English open-field village first settled in 1669. At Hall Tavern, seasonal demonstrations and open-hearth cooking classes are part of the offerings. The season is part of the visitor experience: demonstrations and classes take place seasonally. Memorial Hall Museum offers another perspective on the stories of the region’s small communities and the people who lived there. It has 19 galleries and opened in 1880.

In the Turners Falls Cultural District, Shea Theater Arts Center presents performances by regional, national and international artists. Great Falls Discovery Center features exhibits on the natural, cultural and industrial history of the Connecticut River watershed and Turners Falls. The Center is also one of the endpoints of an easy, self-guided walking tour of Turners Falls. The tour combines exploring on foot with a destination where exhibits cover several of the region’s themes.

Franklin County Fairgrounds also have a historic designation: they were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Franklin County’s industrial history includes products made in its factories and mills, among them cutlery, hand tools, machine tools, measuring instruments, taps and dies, as well as paper and textiles. These examples range from tools to paper and textiles, showing the breadth of the manufacturing history described.

Apples, Cider and Maple Syrup

Maple syrup season in Franklin County runs from February into late spring. The annual community celebration CiderDays is dedicated to apples and takes place in Franklin County. There is also the production of craft cider: various producers in the county make dry and sweet varieties. Together, these facts offer different perspectives on regional products and traditions—a seasonal period for maple syrup, an annual celebration and different cider styles.

For your trip planning, there are different interests to choose from: bike trails on different scales, landscapes offering opportunities for hiking, mountain biking and fishing, as well as cultural and historical topics. You can tailor your discoveries to your interests.

Discover more destinations: Deerfield, Sunderland, Rowe, New Salem, Bernardston, Nantucket, Hampshire, Bristol.

For the broader travel overview: Massachusetts.