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Hiking Committee

The Hiking (formerly Outings) Committee organizes general, non-technical events such as hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and backpacking trips. We have a very long list of hiking trips. Most hikes occur on weekends, but we do have a tradition of Tuesday hiking trips as well. Check out our schedule!

Thanks to the leaders for leading this hike - what beautiful snow-covered scenery and that view of Quabbin was amazing! – Nancy

Thanks to the leaders for leading this hike - what beautiful snow-covered scenery and that view of Quabbin was amazing! – Nancy

Sometimes, in the winter, our "hiking" trips suddenly become "snowshoeing" or "cross-country skiing" trips. Such is life in New England!
We're always looking for trip leaders, especially those with new ideas for trails to hike. If you're interested, please contact our Hiking Chair.

Joining a Hike

Please read the AMC Trip Policy (PDF) before joining a trip.
Be sure to bring lunch and liquids, bug repellant and sunscreen, and clothing and footwear appropriate to the conditions. When car-pooling, please offer a contribution to the driver for fuel costs.
To find out more about a scheduled hike or to sign up, contact the leader, coordinator, or other person listed for that trip.

Upcoming Activities

Click or tap on the Register links to learn more and/or register for activities.

Holyoke Revitalization Tour

Location: Holyoke, MA
Date: 17‑Oct‑2025
Register »
Discover how a city originally designed as an industrial mill town is being reimagined. Visit innovative businesses and developers that have - and are continuing to - put new life into old buildings. Building owners provide guided tours. Easy walking tour, 1.5-2 miles, ends at Choo Choo's restaurant.
Tour is free. Meet at the Holyoke Heritage State Park Visitor Center. Although the bridge on Appleton Street is closed, the free parking lot at 221 Appleton is accessible to traffic. To get to the visitor center after parking, follow the sidewalk on foot into the park, passing the Merry-Go-Round. Veer left at the sidewalk fork up to the Visitor Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather but severe weather cancels. Registration is required via AMC registration process.
This tour is also offered on October 24th. See that listing for different lineup. Sign up for one or both.

Holyoke's Historic Canals and Dam Tour

Location: Holyoke, MA
Date: 18‑Oct‑2025
Register »
Join the park interpreter for a walk along Holyoke's canal system. We explore engineering prowess, mill operation, historic visionaries, and the power of water as we walk along parts of the first and second level canals of this fascinating planned industrial city. Along the way we will see headraces, tailraces, intakes, a Boyden Turbine assembly, flywheels, and get an eyeball tour of Holyoke Gas and Electric's dam complex.
Maps of the canal system are available. Distance: 2.0 miles. Meet at the Visitor Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather. Severe weather cancels. Reservations requested (but not required) by calling 413-534-1723.
This tour is also offered September 20, October 4, 18, and 25.

Hilltown Hikes: The Rivulet Trail and the Conway Property

Location: Cummington, MA
Date: 19‑Oct‑2025
Register »
This hike is more about getting out in the woods in the hilltowns than about a physical challenge, although both trails have bit of climbing. The trails are soft and, in places, the towering white pines are like a cathedral. The Rivulet Trail is part of the Trustee's Bryant Homestead, and the Conway Property is a new set of hiking trails sponsored by the Hilltown Land Trust.
We'll hike at a moderate pace (1–2 mph) with breaks. Plan for the outing to last about 3 hours total including stops and a shuttle between the two trails. Wet leaves might make traction challenging in places.
Total distance is about 3 miles, vertical gain is about 360 feet, and walking time is about one and a half hours without rests (but we will take rests and drive between the two trails, so figure closer to 3 hours). We will probably well past peak foliage, so don’t expect too much fall color. The hike will run rain or shine unless severe weather is forecast.
Recommended add-ons are getting coffee at the Old Creamery Co-op on Route 9 in Cummington, before we begin, and stopping at the Chesterfield Store on Route 143 in Chesterfield, on your way home (although the Chesterfield store closes at 3 on Sundays and doesn't open again until Thursday). If you feel like more walking after these trails, there is also River Road heading downstream from the Chesterfield Gorge.
Refer to the registration page for required and optional gear.

Richardson Cabin/NET Section 17

Location: Northfield, MA
Date: 21‑Oct‑2025
Register »
Join us for a hike up Stratton Mountain via NET, Section 17, to Richardson-Zlogar Cabin where we will stop and have lunch with views of Mt Monadnock, Mt Grace, and Mt Wachusett to the east. Views of Mt Ascutney to the west. Please note that the cabin is closed, but land is open to hikers.
Hike to the cabin is approximate 5 miles out-and-back with 850 feet of elevation following the New England Trail/M&M Trail. Pace will be moderate (1.5 mph). Participants are asked to snacks/water/lunch. Poles if you use them. Please be ready to hike (boots on) by 9:00 AM.

Holyoke Revitalization Tour

Location: Holyoke, MA
Date: 24‑Oct‑2025
Register »
Discover how a city originally designed as an industrial mill town is being reimagined. Visit innovative businesses and developers that have - and are continuing to - put new life into old buildings. Building owners provide guided tours. Easy walking tour, 1.5-2 miles, ends at Choo Choo's restaurant.
Tour is free. Meet at the Holyoke Heritage State Park Visitor Center. Although the bridge on Appleton Street is closed, the free parking lot at 221 Appleton is accessible to traffic. To get to the visitor center after parking, follow the sidewalk on foot into the park, passing the Merry-Go-Round. Veer left at the sidewalk fork up to the Visitor Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather but severe weather cancels. Registration is required via AMC registration process.
October 24th localities: Cubit Co-works, Bebee Holbrook, High Street Craft Building, HH Richardson Train Station.

Hiking in the Berkshires Bob's Way & Roadside Cafe

Location: Monterey, MA
Date: 24‑Oct‑2025
Register »
Join us in the beautiful Berkshires for an easy 3-mile hike on Bob's Way. This hike loops through a wooded landscape carpeted in partridge berries and complete with a marsh, beaver pond, and lush laurels. There will be about a 440-ft elevation gain as we make our way to Dave's Look Out. We will conclude our outing with lunch at Gould's Farm Roadside Store and Cafe which is a quick drive down Route 23. Lunch is on your own with prices ranging from $10-$20.
Please be prepared at the trailhead on the day of the hike for the conditions you will encounter while hiking, such as rocks, exposed roots, rolling acorns. It is helpful to have proper footwear (sturdy, waterproof hiking boots) rain gear, hiking poles and layerd clothing, as we are in Fall in New England where the weather and temperatures can change quickly. Please bring a snack, and water (two or more liters for the average hiker.

Holyoke's Historic Canals and Dam Tour

Location: Holyoke, MA
Date: 25‑Oct‑2025
Register »
Join the park interpreter for a walk along Holyoke's canal system. We explore engineering prowess, mill operation, historic visionaries, and the power of water as we walk along parts of the first and second level canals of this fascinating planned industrial city. Along the way we will see headraces, tailraces, intakes, a Boyden Turbine assembly, flywheels, and get an eyeball tour of Holyoke Gas and Electric's dam complex.
Maps of the canal system are available. Distance: 2.0 miles. Meet at the Visitor Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather. Severe weather cancels. Reservations requested (but not required) by calling 413-534-1723.
This tour is also offered September 20, October 4, 18, and 25.

NET Hike: Long Mountain and Rattlesnake Knob

Location: Amherst, NH
Date: 09‑Nov‑2025
Register »
Hike the New England Trail out and back ~6 miles from Harris Mountain Rd to Long Mountain and Rattlesnake Knob. Difficulty: moderate-vigorous. Summits offer open views of the surrounding mountains, farms and towns. Optional after hike visit to Atkins Farms. Atkins is usually well decorated for the season and has local produce, prepared food, coffee and a bakery.
This hike will be a moderate distance and pace but includes some steep terrain/hills with ~1,300 ft of total elevation gain.

Wapack Trail: Mount Watatic and Pratt Mountain Viewpoint

Location: Ashburnham, MA
Date: 15‑Nov‑2025
Register »
Hike ~8.5 miles out and back on the Wapack Trail, which includes Mt Watatic with 360° views and the Pratt Mountain viewpoint overlooking Binney Pond. Difficulty: vigorous mostly due to distance. Terrain is mixed including steep and moderate sections with ~1,500 ft of elevation overall.

AMC 150 Holyoke Range Seven Sisters and Mt Norwottuck

Location: Amherst, MA
Date: 28‑May‑2026
Register »
Join us in May to celebrate 150 years of AMC with the AMC 150th Relay - a 1,500-mile journey from VA to ME. Join the celebration by participating in a relay segment, attending a local event, or sharing your AMC story. Together, we'll honor the past and shape the future of outdoor adventure. For this leg of the relay, we'll be hiking sections 7 and 8 of the New England Trail. This iconic section will traverse the Seven Sisters of the Holyoke Range and continue with Mt Norwottuck and ending at Mt Harris Rd. An alternative stopping stop can be arranged at the Notch Visitors Center prior to the hike's start.
This is a strenuous hike due to elevation changes and rocky terrain. The terrain is varied, with steep ascents and descents and also gentler flat or rolling rambles. Along the way, hikers experience stunning panoramic views over the Pioneer Valley and into Vermont, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. This hike features varied landscapes, including hardwood forests, open ledges, and occasional steep sections that provide a good workout. We'll take breaks to enjoy the views and appreciate the natural beauty this hike offers. Refer to the registration page for more information.

Activity Schedule

All activities are subject to cancellation due to poor weather conditions. Check activities on outdoors.org for up-to-the-minute additions not yet shown here. Not all activities may be posted yet.
Executive 20s/30s A.T. Management Bicycling Communications Community Engagement Conservation Family Programs Hiking Membership Mountaineering Net Management Paddling Training and Education
Snowshoers in Wendell State Forest
  LANI GIGUERE
Hiking Committee members hiking along a river
  JEANNETTE PIERCE
Summit of Mt Greylock
COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHT

A.T. Hike Series

Have you ever dreamed of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail – all 2,197.4 miles, 5 million steps, and 14 states of it – from Georgia to Maine? Join us this summer and early fall for an exciting and challenging hiking series covering the 90 miles of the A.T. in Massachusetts.
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