Franklin County Fall Foliage Ride

Take a guided bike tour starting in Deerfield before crossing over the Connecticut River on the Canalside Rail Trail Bridge. The bridge was part of the former New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad line. Arriving on the Turners Falls side of the river we will continue along the bikeway beside the historic Turners Falls canal built in 1866. Historic mills line the canal providing a glimpse of what the bustling mill town once was. Arriving to the Turners Falls Dam we take a short walk down to the river to gain an appreciation for what once was the Great Falls of the Connecticut River, now behind the 60-foot dam. At the time of its construction it was the largest power generator east of Niagara Falls. Passing through the center of Turners Falls and Unity Park on the shores of Barton Cove we climb a short hill and head out of Turners Falls. After two miles we arrive to East Mineral Hills road and descend for a fun mile toward the Connecticut River.

We will stop at Cabot Camp and enjoy the rocky point at the confluence of the Millers and Connecticut River in the Town of Millers Falls. Once the summer retreat of Philip Cabot, visionary and financier of the Turners Falls Dam project, the property’s history also includes a former restaurant known as the Dark Tavern and a toll house on the canal built in 1798 to transport cargo around Great Falls and French King Gorge. Cabot Camp now provides a stunning view of the French King Gorge and the French King Bridge. Built in 1932, the three-span cantilever arch bridge was voted the “Most Beautiful Steel Bridge” of 1932 by the American Institute of Steel Construction.

Continuing north along the river and on brief stretch of gravel road we pass through Riverside Park before arriving to The Brewery at 4 Star Farm, an innovative farm that grows its own hops and grains. We’ll take a break, sample some beer and decide if we will ride back or take the shuttle.