Why take the Mass Turnpike when you can take a scenic route, at least for a little while, instead? Running alongside the Turnpike for much of its 35 miles, Route 20, also known as Jacob’s Ladder Trail, provides a scenic alternative to highway travel. If you haven’t heard of this scenic back road in Massachusetts before, you will certainly want to take it the next time you find yourself in the Berkshires.
The Jacob’s Ladder Trail Scenic Byway is a 35-mile portion of U.S. Highway 20, following alongside the Mass Pike for much of the way.
Google Maps
This southern Berkshires byway meanders through some of the most beautiful scenery and picturesque towns in Massachusetts that include Lee, Becket, Chester, Huntington, and Russell.
Michael Femia/Flickr
The byway first opened in 1910 to accommodate the first automobiles traveling through the Berkshires. Over time, it grew into a popular tourist road for motorists and was called “the First of the Great Mountain Crossovers.” It reached its heyday in the 1920s but then tourism declined once the Great Depression hit.
cmh2315fl/Flickr
With the development of the Mass Pike in the 1950s, Jacob’s Ladder Trail lost even more traffic but it certainly should not be overlooked. While the Pike is convenient, it’s just not as scenic as this historic byway.
John Phelan/Wikimedia Commons
Between the quaint towns and the natural scenery, there are endless opportunities for adventure along, and close to, Jacob’s Ladder Trail. Pictured here is one of the bridges along the Keystone Arch Bridges Trail, conveniently found just a couple of miles off of Route 20 in Chester.
Peter_01039/TripAdvisor
Starting in Lee, the byway travels through Becket where travelers can stop and explore its historic quarry. In rural Chester, hiking is always an option along with exploring the town’s historic district. After Chester is Huntington where you can stop by the country store or spend some time outdoors at Littleville Lake.
John Phelan/Wikimedia Commons
On the eastern end of Jacob’s Ladder Trail Scenic Byway is Tekoa Mountain in Russell, an impressive rocky mountain with an elevation of 1,121 feet. If you’re able to make the steep climb up the rather difficult terrain of this mountain, you will certainly be rewarded with breathtaking views from the top!
Beata Grodzicka/AllTrails
Have you traveled along the Jacob’s Ladder Trail, a scenic byway in Massachusetts before? What’s your favorite back road or scenic byway in the state? Tell us in the comments! To learn more, visit the Jacob’s Ladder Trail website.
Google Maps
Michael Femia/Flickr
cmh2315fl/Flickr
John Phelan/Wikimedia Commons
Peter_01039/TripAdvisor
Beata Grodzicka/AllTrails
For additional scenic drives, check out these back roads and byways in Massachusetts.
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Address: U.S. 20, US-20, Lee, MA, USAAddress: U.S. 20, US-20, Becket, MA, USAAddress: U.S. 20, US-20, Chester, MA, USAAddress: U.S. 20, Huntington, MA, USAAddress: U.S. 20, US-20, Russell, MA, USA
