This time we could not make it to the northern states of New Hampshire, Vermont or Maine for fall colors. So we decided to take a ride in Mass itself. The roads were a little difficult to find and there were no space to stop but we saw beautiful colors on the back roads as we wound our way through Central Massachusetts. Going through 200 miles of back roads in our Prius was quite an experience.
You also find some carrots in there which we bought from a local farmers market. The pictures at the end are actually fall colors in our own backyard!
Central Massachusetts Region
Route 128 to Quabbin Reservoir through Apple Country-- Enjoy superb color at a relaxed pace when you drive along the less frequently traveled routes to the Quabbin Reservoir. This route begins near the town of Waltham on Route 128, the right road that surrounds Boston and its western suburbs. The route travels westward through farm and orchard country to the Quabbin Reservoir in the heart of Central Massachusetts via Waltham, Stow, Hudson, Berlin, Clinton, Sterling, Princeton, North Rutland, Barre, Barre Plains, Hardwick, Templeton, Gardner, Ashburnham, Ashby, Townsend, Littleton.
■ Starting on Route 128 near the town of Waltham, follow Route 117 to Stow.
■ Take Route 62 in a southwesterly direction through the towns of Hudson,Berlin, Clinton, and Sterling, arriving in Princeton
■ Turn north on Mountain Road to Wachusett Mountain Reservation. There you can drive, hike or take a skyride (check on scheduling) to the summit for a sweeping view of the countryside
■ Return to Route 62 and head west through North Rutland to Barre
■ From Barre, take South Street through the town of Barre Plains, to Barre Road to the town of Hardwick
■ Turn north on Route 32A, which runs along the Quabbin Reservoir toPetersham.
■ At Petersham follow Route 101 East through Templeton, Gardner andAshburnham to the junction with Route 119
■. Head east on Route 119 through the Willard Brook State Forest in Ashby andTownsend
■ Follow route 119 back to I 495 near Littleton
Nearby Points of Interest:
♦ Princeton -- Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Mountain Road, 978-464-2987
♦ Belchertown – Quabbin Reservoir and Visitor Center, 485 Ware Road (Route 9), 413-323-7221
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