Round the Range and North

Cue sheet northbound | Cue sheet southbound

Starting in Amherst, this route makes a clockwise circuit of the Holyoke Range of mountains, follows the east shore of the Connecticut River to Montague, and continues north to Northfield.

The segment from the Sunderland Range northwards to Greenfield Street in Montague forms a part of a flat, easy circuit which begins at the Northampton Bikepath. Riders may complete their return trip on the west side of the river, or may return on the east side to the Norwottuck Bikepath in Hadley via Route 47 -- though this may have more traffic at some times of day.

In fact, Route 47 is included in the touring route system as an example of a highway whose maintenance and improvement hold great benefits for touring bicyclists. South of Hadley as well, Route 47 passes through scenic farming country with occasional river views, and here its is the only available route between the Holyoke Range and the river.

The segment between Amherst and South Hadley passes through rolling terrain on lightly-traveled country roads. The exception is Route 116, which has wide lanes. The segment from Montague north to Northfield follows country roads and Massachusetts Route 63, which is relatively wide and carries little traffic.

Points of interest include: Hampshire College in Amherst; the Aldrich Mill complex in Granby; the Skinner Museum and

Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley (the road past it has striped shoulders); an optional climb up Mount Holyoke in Skinner State Park; the Porter-Phelps-Huntington House museum in Hadley; and the Northfield Nature Center and a pumped storage power plant in Northfield. This is a very scenic route, with views of the Holyoke Range, the Connecticut River and mountains across the river.

Recommendations

As mentioned before, the improvement of Route 47 is essential as population grows, in order to preserve this attractive touring route. The same is true of some of the other roads, wherever development is increasing traffic.

A citizens' group is examining the possibility of improving a bicycle route between South Hadley Falls and Hadley. Such a route along the river, beginning at the canal park in South Hadley Falls, could avoid some steep climbs and offer excellent scenic outlooks along the river. It could connect with an improved Route 47 just south of the Holyoke Range, and with an improved route making use of the riverfront via Holyoke and Chicopee to Springfield.