Hampden County: Off the Beaten Path

Granville -- a quaint town off the beaten trail

Granville Country Store

Hampden County:  home to larger cities like Springfield and hilly towns like Granville and Sandisfield.  Per the advice of The Berkshire Hills and Pioneer Valley book, we got off the Pike in Westfield, traveled south down Route 10/202 to Southwick and then banged a right onto Route 57 west.  In the above book, this route is called "one of the most obscure and backroaded of the state's historic east-west highways.  It's the most southerly and one of the highest, obviously the reason that the railroad chose to follow the Westfield River instead."  This route did not disappoint.  After the busyness of the Pike, it was so relaxing to be driving amongst the emerald green hills and winding roads, where there was barely any one else on the road.  Having packed a picnic lunch, we stopped on the Granville Town Green, right across from the Granville Country Store.  The store is home to many eclectic items.  There was a small restaurant inside the store, and rows of unique canned fruits and vegetables, fun crafty items, and their very famous cheese.  We didn't buy the cheese as we weren't sure if our accommodation in Great Barrington had a refrigerator.   The sign on the front of the store listed all the owners from the time the store opened in 1851 until now (only four owners - pretty good stability).  We sat across from the store at a picnic table and watched a steady stream of customers.  The cars came from both Massachusetts and Connecticut and there were also a lot of bicyclists coming through (a friend of mine said this is the stop to make while bicycling to get ice cream).  Across the town green was a library that had really neat architecture.  There was also an old Blacksmith's shop.

After our lunch, we headed back west on Route 57 and before long, we were heading up and down some really high hills with beautiful views.   We went through Tolland before heading into Berkshire County.

If you want a ride where you will be the only one on the road, this is the route to take.  It is indeed a hidden gem.