Hiking Committee

Upcoming Activities

Hidden Hikes in the Hilltowns

This hike will combine the Rivulet Trail at Bryant Homestead in Cummington with the Two Dams Trail in Worthington. Vertical gain is about 360 feet for these two trails, and walking time is about two hours without rests (but we will take rests and drive between the two trails, so figure closer to 3 hours). I can add a third trail in West Chesterfield at the end, if people are still in the mood. This is a beautiful little sample of hiking in the awesome November quiet of the Hilltowns' forests. Walking along a brook, strolling through of giant white pines, and a close-up visit to an enormous beaver dam are included.

Goodnow Preserve Hike and Lunch at Southfield Cafe

Join us in New Marlborough, MA in the beautiful Berkshires for an easy 5.2 mile hike at Goodnow Preserve. We will hike both the easy upper loop and the slightly more challenging lower loop. Featured on this hike are, the Konkapot River, the Carroll Mill site, open fields and dense forest. We will set our pace to accommodate the needs of the group. There will be about a 341 ft elevation gain as we make our way back up from the river.

Post Thanksgiving Hike: Mount Holyoke Summit House

Spend Friday outdoors! Join us for an approximately 5-mile hike with 1,300 ft elevation gain that will include the Summit House on Mount Holyoke. Take a break on the summit house deck and enjoy views of the CT River, farmland and nearby mountains.

Pittsfield State Forest

Enjoy a hike in the 11,000-acre Pittsfield Forest. The hike will start at Balance Rock trail (and yes, there is a Balanced Rock off the trail). Next we join the Potter Mt Trail, then about a 1.7 section of the Taconic Skyline Trail to Churchill Brook Trail and finally back on the Balance Rock Trail. This will be a lollipop loop of about 7 miles with approximately 1,000+' elevation gain. Moderate pace but will keep the group together.

Monument Mountain Reservation - Holiday Cookie Swap

For centuries, this mountain has attracted artists and writers (to include Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville), hikers and nature lovers for is spectacular views of the Southern Berkshires and Housatonic River Valley. We will begin our hike at the parking entrance to Monument Mountain Reservation off Rt 7 in Great Barrington. We will hike and explore the trails leading to Peeskawso Peak and Devil's Pulpit. Lunch will be the top with a holiday cookie swap for dessert. From this summit, we hope to have views of Mt Greylock and the Catskills. After lunch we will follow the trails back down to our cars.

Solstice Hike on the NET

Come celebrate the shortest day of the year with a three-mile solstice hike on the New England Trail to watch the sunset over Westfield, followed by a social gathering at a local restaurant nearby. The hike will start on the NET Section 5 in Holyoke, continuing on another trail then meeting back up with the NET for the last mile to finish the loop. At about 2.5 miles, we will be on a ridge where we can view the sunset over Westfield and Hampton Ponds and make a solstice toast. On the other side of the ridge there is a beautiful view to the north and east, where Mt Monadnock is visible on a clear day. After the sunset, we will hike the last half mile to the cars.

AMC 150 AT from Northwest Camp to Guilder Pond

Starting at Northwest Camp near the CT/MA border, the hike heads north on the A.T. toward Sages Ravine — a stunning, moss-covered gorge filled with cascading waterfalls and crystal-clear pools. The trail ascends gradually through this lush forested area, making Sages Ravine an ideal spot for a rest before the steeper climb ahead. From there, the A.T. climbs Mt Race (2,365 ft), where hikers are rewarded with spectacular ridgeline views to the east. Sheer cliffs and open ledges offer breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding mountains and the Housatonic Valley.

AMC 150 Guilder Pond AT to Appalachian Trail Parking at Kellogg Road

Starting at Guilder Pond parking area, the trail passes by a quick view of scenic Guilder Pond and then shortly coming to a two side trails, one leading to Hemlock Shelter and the other to Glen Brook Shelter. Continuing north, the A.T. begins a gentle descent along the east slope of Mt Undine (2203') and then climbs a gradual ascent to reach the wooded summit of Mt Bushnell. The trail crosses two intermediate summits and reaches Jug End summit at the north end of the ridge, affording a spectacular view. After a gradual descent from Jug End summit, the A.T. reaches a crest of rock, the "jug's end," with steep outcrops and extensive open views to the northwest and southeast. On a clear day, Mt Greylock is clearly visible on the northern horizon.

AMC 150 NET Section 5 Hike

For this leg of the AMC 150 Relay, we'll be hiking Section 5 of the New England Trail northbound from Rte 202 to 141 in Holyoke. 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 of the farmland below and the Berkshire foothills in the distance.

AMC 150 NET Section 4 Hike

For this leg of the AMC 150 Relay, we'll be hiking Section 4 of the New England Trail northbound from Old Holyoke Rd in Westfield (at the gate) to Rte 202 in Holyoke (park facing southbound). This hike features a mix of ups and downs with occasional steep sections. There are some beautiful scenic spots along the ridge and a lovely vernal pool as we trek on the border of Bear Hole in West Springfield for much of the hike.

AMC 150 NET Section 6 Hike

For this leg of the AMC 150 Relay, we'll be hiking Section 6 of the New England Trail, which is one of the more spectacular sections located in the Mt Tom range! The trail heads northbound from Rte 141 in Holyoke to Rte 5 in Easthampton. This hike features varied landscapes, ridge-lines, open ledges, and occasional steep sections that provide a good workout.

AMC 150 Holyoke Range Seven Sisters and Mt Norwottuck

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.