The Appalachian Trail in MA

Every month we like to highlight a place for recreating outdoors to give our followers new ideas for their outdoor adventures. This month we're highlighting the entire Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in MA that offers many opportunities for hiking and backpacking. The A.T. stretches 2,190 miles from Springer Mountain GA to Mt Katahdin in ME. Thousands of thru hikers attempt to hike the entire trail in a single season, but only 25-30% finish it, roughly 700 people. The MA portion is just over 90 miles - starting in Salisbury, CT and ending in Clarksburg State Forest on the VT border. There are many places along the trail to do a day hike, or perhaps an overnight backpacking trip. One option is to drive to the top of Mt Greylock and hop on a section of the A.T. that passes over the summit. Another moderate hike is to head up to Upper Goose Pond starting on Rte 20 in Becket. This 3.5-mile, round trip hike starts near the Mass Pike in Becket and brings you up to a beautiful pond. You can continue south on the A.T. if you're looking for a longer hike. In Cheshire, you can hike the Cobbles Trail that brings you to an overlook with views of Cheshire Reservoir and Mt Greylock. Or, join the Western MA Chapter on the A.T. Hike Series. We're leading several hikes on the A.T. on consecutive weekends, beginning at the CT border and working our way up to VT. Go to our activity page to register for the remaining hikes. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is the organization that manages the A.T. Since 1925, the ATC has been leading the management and conservation of the A.T. and its landscape. Their website is a great resource for planning your MA A.T. adventures with maps, suggested day hikes, shelters, and other helpful resources. There are many ways to enjoy this national treasure! We hope you get a chance to get out there and see for yourself. And don't forget to tag us in your posts.