Following up on Paul Budlong’s Adirondack Drive [March 2016], here’s another drive that should appeal to members looking for some interesting roads. It runs up and down the ridgeline that stretches along the Mohawk River from Schenectady to Amsterdam and ventures into the historic village of Charlton and some rural roads of southern Saratoga and eastern Montgomery counties. The route features challenging driving [Johnson and Waters are serpentine with significant elevation changes] and a variety of places to explore. The drive begins off Route 5. The starting point can be easily reached by taking 890 west from Schenectady or by taking the Thruway to exit 26 and following the signs to Route 5.
If you haven’t already, give Paul’s Adirondack route a go- and please, if you have a favorite drive, submit it to the blog.
Points of interest on the Glenville Hills-Charlton Drive include:
Nightengale’s Sugar Farm [Jersey Hill Rd.]- Purchase maple syrup and a variety of confections. Nightengale’s is open year round; their website advises calling ahead just to make sure someone is in the store. The farm offers tours during the spring tapping season. http://www.nightingalesmaplefarm.com/
Top Notch Tavern [Rte. 45, Hagaman] The tavern has a reputation for its prime rib and its burger night. It doesn’t open until 5pm on weekdays so a stop there for dinner might mean doing the remainder of the drive as it gets dark. Not recommended for Waters Road. However, the tavern does open at 4pm on Saturday and 3pm on Sunday. http://www.topnotchtavern.com/
The Charlton Tavern [Charlton Rd.]- Located in the historic and picturesque village of Charlton, the tavern is a great place to have lunch during the drive. The tavern also serves dinner. You’ll find it closed on Mondays. http://www.charltontavern.com/
The Green Corners One Room School House [Potter Rd./Green Corners Rd.]- A representative example of early nineteenth century one-room schoolhouse architecture in the town of Glenville. The school was constructed around 1825 and functioned as a public school for grades one through eight until it closed in 1946. https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/14000226.htm
If you’re interested in visiting the school, contact the Glenville town historian for information on visiting days and hours. http://www.townofglenville.org/Public_Documents/GlenvilleNY_Historian/index
Wolf Hollow Brewing [Rte. 5] A microbrewery with a rapidly growing following. It’s open Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm-10pm and Saturday from 12pm – 10pm. Tours are offered Saturday at 2:30. The brewery features food from Buzzard’s Bay Barbeque. http://www.wolfhollowbrewing.com/
I’ve included several versions of this drive in PDF format so you can print them and take them along for reference. Each version features different combinations of points of interest. Choose the one that includes the things you’d most like to see or do. The roads are still fun and the drives are pleasant even if you don’t stop anywhere. The short route is a little over 30 miles and includes only a stop at the Charlton Tavern. The longer routes are approximately 60 miles.
If you do any of these drives, comments and suggestions will be appreciated.
Long Route Includes Top Notch With Short Detour to Nightengale’s,Brewery
Long Route with Charlton Tavern,Nightengale’s,Brewery
Long Route- Includes Nightengale’s, Charlton Tavern, Schoolhouse, Brewery
