Written Directions
There are many different roads you could take and cover the same area but the route I describe below is my favorite and will take you along some great sites. Once you do this route you'll want to go back again and explore some of the side roads, particulararly along the various lakes and rivers in the area. Start your route in Litchfield CT. From Litchfield, head west on US 202 which will take you through Bantam and New Preston. When you get to New Preston you'll want to turn right (north) on to SR 45 (also known as E. Shore Rd ... after only about 2 miles the road will change names to Lake Rd). After about 4 miles SR 45 will merge with 341 and take you into Warren. Now you want to split left off of SR 45 and take 341 west about 6 miles till it takes you to the town of Kent. When you get to Kent you'll run into US 7 and want to take a right (go north) on 7. Stay on 7 about 24 miles as it winds along the Housatonic River all the way up through Falls Village and to the town of Canaan. Now you want to get on US 44 heading east (right) for the last five miles of the route and take this straight into the last town of Norfolk. Enjoy your ride!!!
Scenery
On this trip you will pass through the beautiful Litchfield Hills area of Connecticut. You will see many well preserved historical towns as well as outstanding New England scenery. Portions of this trip were including in the Reader's Digest guide to the Most Scenic Drives in America.
Rolling hills, peaceful lakes and streams, waterfalls and quaint towns make this route a strong 4 star scenery rating.
Drive Enjoyment
The rolling hills and river-hugging roads lead me to give this route such a strong 4 star road rating.
Tourism Opportunities
Start your trip in the quaint town of Litchfield and see its lovely 'town green' designed in 1720 and the beautiful colonial homes that surround it. The author Sinclair Lewis declared that 'the only street in America more beautiful than North Street in Litchfield is South Street in Litchfield.' Litchfield was also the home of the famous author Harriet Beecher Stowe who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin. In the town you will find the Litchfield Historical Society and Museum. You will also see America's first law school, the Tapping Reeve House and Law School, where two of America's vice presidents studied law (Aaron Burr and John C. Calhoun). When you turn west on Rte. 202 you can visit the 4,000-acre White Memorial Foundation woodlands and wetlands sanctuary. The sanctuary has a museum, hiking and bird observation platforms (860)567-0857. Further up the road you will find Mount Tom State Park equipped with a lookout tower and picnic grounds. Also nearby is Lake Waramaug State Park where you may fish, swim, rent a canoe or paddleboat. After you travel along Rte. 341 you will come to the town of Kent nestled up against the banks of the Housatonic River. You will want to spend a while taking in the serenity of this village while antique or art shopping along Main street. When you turn north on Rte. 7 you will pass the Sloane-Stanley Museum and soon come to the Kent Falls State Park. In this park you won't want to miss an awesome cascading waterfall. Further up the road you will pass through Housatonic Meadows State Park and want to turn on to Rte. 128 and pass through a red covered bridge that links West Cornwall and Sharon. Further up the road on Rte. 7 you may want to take Rte. 112 west if you enjoy sports-car racing (at Lime Rock) or take the exit to Music Mountain to see and hear the one of the oldest chamber music series in the country. At Canaan Village you can stop for a bite to eat and then head east on highway 44. Before you get to Norfolk you will pass the Haystack Mountain State Park (Rte. 272 north) and in Norfolk you will find the home of the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. At Winsted turn right on to Rte. 8 and pass by the town of Torrington then switch to Rte. 202 for a peaceful five-mile drive back into Litchfield and thus completing the Lovely Litchfield Loop.
Motorcycle Road Additional info
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