Fall Road Trip Along the Appalachian Trail - Part I

Not many people can hike all 2,167 miles of theJunction; exit through Bennington.
Appalachian Trail, but plenty use a ROAD TRIP* The historic town of Woodstock
PLANNER to create a car or RV version of it.* Gifford Woods State Park in the heart of the
While some expert hikers can manage theGreen Mountains
footpath in one season, most of us don't even* A panoramic view of Mt. Snow as you descend
have that kind of free time available. So exploringinto Wilmington
the Appalachian Trail via car or RV is theIN MASSACHUSETTS: You'll be skirting the west
alternative of choice alternative you could canon Highway 7 all the way from Williamstown to
cover the same distance in about two weeks atAshley Falls.
the leisurely pace* Mount Greylock State Reservation
This scenic road trip closely follows the* Hancock Shaker Village
Appalachian Trail, with many spots where trail and* Mount Washington State Forest in South
road cross paths. This allows you to immerseEgremont (stay at the Weathervane, a great B &
yourself in the deep woods with a daily hike butB).
also enjoy nature's colors unfurling before you asIN CONNECTICUT: Enter in Canaan on Highway 7
you cruise along the two-lane highway. Choose aand exit through Danbury.
Fall start date in your road trip planner because* Norfolk, for its sheer beauty, including its private
then you'll reap the benefits: Experience theforest
Appalachian Mountains AND see New England's* The Appalachian Trail crosses Highway 7 and
legendary Fall Colors.the Housatonic River at Cornwall Bridge.
That's not to say your trip itinerary will include* Allow one luxury stay at the Berkshires. The
nothing but trees and trails. You're passing throughBerkshires is to western Connecticut what the
14 historically significant states so you'll come uponCatskills is to New York and the Poconos to
many cultural places like quaint villages, countryPennsylvania.
stores, historical museums and memorials to addIN NEW YORK: We're only going to include the
to your road trip planner.Appalachian Trail segment in this road trip planner
Even though the Appalachian Trail runs through 14and keep the "other" New York for another trip
states, this blog will include details on the first 6 of(unless you really can't help yourself & decide to
them (not including Maine): New Hampshire,spend a few days in New York City...it's your
Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York,vacation after all :>). Drive along US 6 to Highway
Pennsylvania. This leaves New Jersey, Maryland,7, touching the southeastern part of New York
West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolinaand exiting through Port Jervis.
and Georgia for another blog. Remember, in order* West Point, the Army's famous military
to follow the Appalachian Trail, you'll beacademy
meandering through the states, so even though* Bear Mountain State Park
your initial road trip planning might indicate a* Harriman State Park
1200-mile route, you'll actually be driving anIN PENNSYLVANIA: Come in at Dingman's Ferry
additional 200 miles on this road trip.and exit through Gettysburg (you'll actually dip a
RECOMMENDED PLACES TO ADD TO YOURbit in the Garden State of New Jersey).
ROAD TRIP PLANNER:* Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: You'll be traveling west from* The Poconos
Gorham to Orford before turning south.* Roadside America in the village of Shartlesville
* Pinkham Notch Campto see a scale model of bygone Americana.
* Mt. Washington in New Hampshire's Presidential* The Pennsylvania Dutch Country
Range* Gettysburg
* Mount Washington Cog RailwayThat's it...so far. Check back again soon because
* The five granite ledges of Old Man of thewe've got another 7 states to add to your Road
Mountain at the Franconia Notch MontshireTrip Planner to make this a truly magnificent Fall
Museum of Science in Norwichexploration of the Appalachian Trail.
IN VERMONT: Your entry point is White River