French King Bridge
French King Bridge
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
31 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
11
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Jay B
1 contribution
Aug 2019 • Solo
The river beneath the French king Bridge is a 130 feet deep due to the fact that this location is the site of an ancient waterfall.A 130 foot waterfall and the deeper you go down the face of the fall is that much farther back in time.I watched a documentary about it and it was very interesting. I hope you enjoy this info.
Written July 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maurene_K
Dover, NH12,595 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
Driving the Mohawk Trail on Route 2, I revisited several attractions and landmarks I’d seen on a vacation trip to western New York via the Mohawk Trail. I passed over French King Bridge that connects from Gill to Erving over the Connecticut River.
There was a small parking area for visitors to pull over and walk to the bridge. French King Rock and the French King Restaurant are other points of interest nearby.
The three-span cantilever bridge with concrete abutments is quite beautiful. It has a steel deck. It has four supports. It arches elegantly over the river.
It was built to change the route of a dangerous seven-mile stretch of the old Mohawk Trail Highway between Greenfield and Erving that had many hazards that included sharp curves, right angle turns, steep grades, narrow bridges, and two railroad crossings.
Begun in 1931, it was completed and opened in September 1932. It cost $385.000. It won the award for Most Beautiful Steel Span Bridge in the United States by the American Institute of Steel Construction. It was also quite an undertaking because the gorge it spans is very deep. The bridge is about 140 feet high above the river. It has undergone some major maintenance projects.
The railings and lampposts are metal works of art.
The views of the Connecticut River from the center of the bridge are very dramatic. It’s very scenic because most of the riverfront is undeveloped because Wendell State Forest and Erving State Forest are on either side.
Even all these years later, this bridge still impressed me with its length and height.
I highly recommend stopping to walk at least part of this beautiful bridge.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
There was a small parking area for visitors to pull over and walk to the bridge. French King Rock and the French King Restaurant are other points of interest nearby.
The three-span cantilever bridge with concrete abutments is quite beautiful. It has a steel deck. It has four supports. It arches elegantly over the river.
It was built to change the route of a dangerous seven-mile stretch of the old Mohawk Trail Highway between Greenfield and Erving that had many hazards that included sharp curves, right angle turns, steep grades, narrow bridges, and two railroad crossings.
Begun in 1931, it was completed and opened in September 1932. It cost $385.000. It won the award for Most Beautiful Steel Span Bridge in the United States by the American Institute of Steel Construction. It was also quite an undertaking because the gorge it spans is very deep. The bridge is about 140 feet high above the river. It has undergone some major maintenance projects.
The railings and lampposts are metal works of art.
The views of the Connecticut River from the center of the bridge are very dramatic. It’s very scenic because most of the riverfront is undeveloped because Wendell State Forest and Erving State Forest are on either side.
Even all these years later, this bridge still impressed me with its length and height.
I highly recommend stopping to walk at least part of this beautiful bridge.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
Written June 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
annaree166
Millbury, MA13 contributions
Aug 2018
Just take your time and marvel at this bridge! Take more time and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. It’s awe inspiring!
Written December 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrSharonGreenfieldMA
Greenfield MA178 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
Don't just drive over the bridge. Whatever the season, stop (there's parking at either end), take a short walk to the middle of the bridge, and enjoy the beautiful view. The river beneath was once the scene of logs going south. In the autumn, the scenery is breathtaking.
Written November 18, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phillipstonian
Phillipston, MA81 contributions
Jun 2012
Wonderful view of the Connecticut River from here. Very high up but you can get some stunning photos.
Written June 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chrissy A
1 contribution
Oct 2019 • Friends
My visit was to catch a scenic view of the Kings bridge and the autumn landscape of the Mohegan Trail
Written November 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rich G
Acton, MA2,470 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
You're driving on Route 2, but you can pull over on the west side of the bridge and park the car. Yes, the bridge is part of the highway, but you're safe walking along the bridges catwalk and taking in the expanse of the Connecticut River and beautiful mountainous foliage this time of year. If you're lucky enough to see it on a Fall day with blue skies it's a great place to pull out the camera and take some memorable shots.
Written October 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom L
Northampton, MA273 contributions
Sep 2017 • Solo
Worth a trip here. Bridge is good looking and very high. Many have jumped to their doom from it. I knew one of them.
Written September 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SoCalEVW
California490 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
Was on the Mohawk Trail, route 2, enjoying all the foliage & had to stop by the French King Bridge. If you blink, you will miss Erving, its a pretty small town, with not too many attractions. There is a very small parking lot at each end of the bridge. The bridge & the views on & below the bridge are beautiful, especially in the autumn. We ran into some locals & chit chatted for a bit. They were extremely friendly & welcoming. If you drive past the French King restaurant & take the first right turn, there is a road that takes you under the bridge & also to a pedestrian bridge- great place to take in the whole bridge & get some great foliage pictures. If on the Mohawk Train, definitely stop for a minute & check out this extraordinary bridge.
Written October 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SoFlaTravel
Deerfield Beach43 contributions
I was traveling across northern Massachusetts on my way from Concord, Massachusetts, to Brattleboro, Vermont. As this was a few hours of travel, I had really not researched sites along the way. What a grand surprise to come upon the French King Bridge! The bridge itself is quite beautiful, and there's parking at the western end so you can walk across the bridge and take photos. I was there in the fall and the foliage was beautiful; however, I think it would be spectacular any time of year! If in this part of the country, definitely budget time for a stop - you will not regret it!
Written November 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Soo U
Keene, New Hampshire
Hello, How did you get to the road below the bridge? Would love to see the view from that angle. Thanks
Written September 27, 2015
From the west, take Rt. 2 over and past the bridge and turn right onto Dorsey Rd. You'll be heading back towards the river. At the Y in the road, go right. Watch for trails, access points, etc.
Also before the bridge on Rt. 2 there is parking, and trails.
Written September 28, 2015
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