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