Imagine cresting a hill and seeing mile after mile of impressive rolling farmland backed by mountains ablaze in orange, red, and gold. Imagine parking your car in the shade of a hundred year oak to hike down a cool forest path where chipmunks and white tail deer sneak a peek at you. Driving the loop or Route 40 East to Rt. 281 North to Sugar Loaf Road to Rt. 381 South back to Rt. 40 will afford you these easy and soul-pleasing moments and much more.

This driving loop is packed with historical sites, antique and gift shops, classic small town restaurants, and plenty of physical activities, if you wish to partake or stretch car-weary legs.

Begin this Scenic Drive just East of Uniontown, PA., on Rt. 40 atop Mt. Summit.  The first scenic overlook is on the right. Whether hazy or clear, day or night, the sight is impressive.

Immediately after this overlook, just after the Summit Inn Resort, is a road on the right to lead you to Summit Inn Resort Golf and Laurel Caverns. Two worthy side trips to consider.

Mt. Summit Golf is open in the fall from 7 a.m. to dusk through November. This spacious and beautiful mountaintop course offers challenging holes and scenic peeks through the trees at surrounding counties. Greens fees are $8 for 9 holes, Monday through Friday, and $9 for 9 holes Saturday and Sunday. A cart will cost you $13, but walking is recommended.

Laurel Caverns offers guided cave tours that will take you down into 50 degree temperatures, cool, damp air and incredible natural mineral formations. And don’t miss the view outside the lobby. Bring your camera to capture not only cave wonders, but also an eye-opening view of seven counties. Call (724) 438-3003 for current times and tour costs.

Continue down Rt. 40 East toward some of the most historical sites in the U.S. General Braddock’s grave and Fort Necessity National Battlefield are educational and fun for everyone. Visit Braddock’s grave and read of his unbelievable accomplishments and key role in shaping U.S. history. See a replica of the fort George Washington and his beaten men tirelessly attempted to defend before surrendering it to the French. It was Washington’s only surrender. “A charming field for an encounter,” said Washington in 1754 of the site. Be sure to visit the Fort Necessity Visitor Center to view artifact exhibits. Visitor Center hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Park hours: 8 a.m. to sunset. Adult admission is $2 and children under 16 are free. For more information on Fort Necessity, call (724) 329-5512.

After Fort Necessity, a little shopping may be in order. Choose from unique gifts offered in Country Charm, to many antique and gift shops scattered along Rt. 40. Be sure to stop in the Outlet in Chalk Hill for a $1.99 T-shirt and, just up the road, take in the Farm Machinery Museum, where you must “Enter at your own risk”. Eccentricity, history and charisma are synonymous with this mountain area.

After shopping, you may want to stop at Glistan’s Restaurant for a hot ham sandwich with mashed potatoes and a healthy slice of pie with real ice cream. Good country cooking abounds in the area, or you may want to hold your hunger for a bit and travel a few more miles to Rt. 281 North. Follow this tight, winding country road into Confluence and see patches of dense forest interspersed with rolling farmlands resplendent with fall’s colors.

Along Rt. 281, you may want to walk around the blue-roofed church and the cemetery. Graves there date back to the 1800’s. Proof of the area’s long history is everywhere.

Once in Confluence, seek out Sisters’  for a great meal deal anytime of the day. Just behind the restaurant is the massive earthen dike built to protect the town from floods. Take a leisurely after-meal stroll and try to spot a trout or smallmouth bass. It’s harder than you think!

Take the foot/bike bridge across the Casselman River into a quiet section of the town. Walk down to the Youghiogheny River and relax while  watching the fly fishermen do battle with the rainbow trout.

If a brisker hike is what you’re after, or perhaps a refreshing bike ride, hop back in the car and retrace your steps along Rt. 281 South to Sugar Loaf Road. You can’t miss it, it’s across from the blue-roofed church.

After stopping to take in several scenic views along Sugar Loaf Road, you’ll find yourself emerging into downtown Ohiopyle. Whitewater rafting outfitters abound if high adventure is what you seek. Bike rentals can easily be found, and the hike/bike path on the edge of town will take you 11.5 miles back to Confluence on a flat, river’s-edge trail. A round trip on bike takes three to five hours, depending on your speed.

Be sure to take in Ohiopyle’s waterfalls, framed by autumn’s cloak, they are truly a wonder to behold. The main falls area is located across from the Falls Market and a large parking area. Cucumber Falls is located just outside of town on Rt. 381 South. Follow the signs to the Falls parking area.

Once you’ve had your fill of activities, and the sun dips below the treeline, take Rt. 381 South back to Rt. 40 to complete the loop. A full day is easily possible on this scenic drive with plenty to see and do and experience. It is a worthwhile scenic drive anytime of the year but especially in the fall, when colors explode and the air is scented with autumn.

Amanda Lynch is a free-lance writer  from Pittsburgh, PA.