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United States US-20 Difficulty: 5/10

Jacob's Ladder Trail Scenic Byway

New England's first designated scenic highway (1910). Weaves along the wild Westfield River and stone Keystone Arches, climbing over the Berkshire crest with wide sweeping radii and lush forested mountain shoulders.

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Distance
Distance
28.5 mi
46 km total run
Turns
Turns
90
3.2 turns per mile
Summit
Summit
1,735 ft
Jacob's Ladder Summit
Surface
Surface
Paved (Twisty)
Difficulty: 5/10
3D Vector Trajectory
CARTO Dark Matter GL
Start: Russell, MA End: Lee, MA
Elevation Profile 280 – 1,735 ft
SUMMIT 1,735 FT
Jacob's Ladder Summit
Apex Density Index 3.2 curves / mi
Scenic Sweeper Technical Switchback
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Nearby Staging
Ronnie's Cycle Sales ~25 mi
Pittsfield, United States • +1-413-443-0638
Berkshires & Mohawk Trail Hub | Multi-Brand Master Service | Tire Center
Brands: Harley-Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM
MAX BMW Motorcycles ~117 mi
North Hampton, United States • +1-603-964-2877
Exclusive BMW Motorrad Master Center | Emergency Touring Tire Bays | Diagnostics
Brands: BMW
Lodge

Rider-Friendly Lodging

Covered Parking
Golden Eagle Restaurant at Mohawk Trail Hairpin Turn ~37 mi
North Adams, MA

Perched dramatically on the cliffside apex of MA-2's legendary Mohawk Trail hairpin turn. Offers a stupendous 3-state panoramic view stretching into Vermont and New York. The roar of motorcycles accelerating out of the switchback provides the constant soundtrack to a classic Berkshire meal.

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Tank-Bag Quick Reference Sheet

Start Point Russell, MA 42.1895, -72.8598
Summit / High Point Jacob's Ladder Summit 1,735 FT Summit
End Destination Lee, MA 42.3045, -73.2487
T-CLOCS Pre-Ride: Tires & Wheels Controls & Cables Lights & Electric Oil & Fluids Chassis & Stand
DUNLOP
Official Tire Partner: Grip for Mountain Passes
Dunlop Roadsmart IV and Trailmax Mission provide maximum wet/dry confidence on mountain switchbacks.
Explore Dunlop Tires ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

How many curves and miles is Jacob's Ladder Trail Scenic Byway? ▼

Jacob's Ladder Trail Scenic Byway spans 28.5 miles and packs approximately 90 curves (3.2 curves per mile) with an elevation delta of 280 ft - 1,735 ft (Jacob's Ladder Summit) and technical rating 5/10.

Where are the start and end coordinates? ▼

The route starts at Russell, MA (Latitude 42.1895, Longitude -72.8598) and finishes at Lee, MA (Latitude 42.3045, Longitude -73.2487).

How can I download the GPX file for GPS navigation? ▼

Click the "Download Free GPX" button on this guide. The standard XML file is 100% free and ready to load into Garmin zūmo, BMW Motorrad Connected, Rever, Scenic, or Google Maps.

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