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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's Historic Canals and Dam Tour

Location: Holyoke, MA
Date: 19‑Sep‑2026
Register »
Join the park interpreter for a 2-hour walk along Holyoke's canal system. Explore the history of this fascinating planned industrial city. Tour starts with a bit of historical background. Along our route see headraces, tailraces, intakes, a Boyden Turbine assembly, flywheels, and get an eyeball tour of the Holyoke dam complex. Maps of the canal system are available. Distance: 2.0 miles.
Program is free and open to all. Meet at the Holyoke Heritage State Park Visitor Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather. Severe weather cancels.
Refer to the registration page for more information.

Autumnal Equinox Hike on the NET

Location: Hadley, MA
Date: 22‑Sep‑2026
Register »
Come celebrate the autumnal equinox (aka the first day of fall) with a hike up to the peak of Mt Holyoke that will provide gorgeous views of the Connecticut River, Mt Tom, and the mountains to the west and north. We will start on Section 7 of the New England Trail in Hadley and climb to the Skinner Mountain House at the summit of Mt. Holyoke. The trail is a steady climb with a few rock scrambles.
We'll enjoy the views and some snacks on the summit, then head down the other side continuing on the NET until we cross the road and pick up the Dry Brook Trail. This will give us a relaxing hike back down to the starting point.
Total distance is ~5 miles with an elevation gain of 932 ft. I will provide an exact distance once I preview the hike.
Refer to the registration page for more information.

Mt Tom Historical Hike via NET - Evening

Location: Easthampton, MA
Date: 23‑Sep‑2026
Register »
Join AMC Staff on a hike up to Mt Tom via the New England Trail! We will talk about the history of Mt Tom and take a look at the site of the old Summit House! This will be a ~4 mile out-and-back hike from the Mt Tom Upper Pavilion, with about 1200 ft of total elevation gain.
This hike is free and open to the public.
When: Tuesday, September 23, 2:00 - 5:30 PM. If you can't commit the full hike, that is okay! Just let us know!
Where: Mt Tom Upper Pavilion (197 Reservation Rd, Easthampton, MA 01027).
What to Bring: As we plan to spend the day out on the trails, please bring along a comfortable hiking pack with water (2L recommended) and snacks. This is a summer hike, so it is a good idea to bring sunscreen and bug spray as well.
Refer to the registration page for more information.

New England Trail (NET) - Richardson Cabin

Location: Northfield, MA
Date: 29‑Sep‑2026
Register »
Join us for an out-and-back hike on the New England Trail to Richardson-Zlogar Cabin. Hike is approximately 5 miles on moderate to rolling terrain with 846 ft of elevation gain. We will hike to the top of Stratton Mountain in Northfield, MA, where we will enjoy our lunch at Richardson-Zlogar Cabin with views of Mt Monadnock and Mt Grace.
After lunch, we will complete our loop around the top of Stratton Mountain and retrace our steps back to the cars. Parking is at the Brush Mountain Conservation Area Trailhead, 480 Gulf Road, Northfield, MA.
Refer to the registration page for more information.

Mount Tom and Whiting Peak

Location: Holyoke, MA
Date: 04‑Oct‑2026
Register »
Hike to the summits of Mount Tom and Whiting Peak. Enjoy views of neighboring peaks, towns, local farmland and early fall foliage.
Route details: Intermediate out-and-back hike, 7-7.5 mile range with lots of uphill (~1,000 ft elevation gain) at the start followed by a ridge walk.
Refer to the registration page for more information.

Mount Monadnock via the Pumpelly Trail

Location: Dublin, NH
Date: 06‑Oct‑2026
Register »
The Pumpelly Trail is the longest trail on Mount Monadnock - a 9-mile round trip with about 1,965 feet of elevation gain. After winding through forest, the trail begins to climb, often steeply over rocks. After rising above treeline, it becomes very exposed all the way to the summit. If we are lucky, we will be able to see all the way to Boston from the top and there will be some nice autumn color.
Participants must have adequate layers, sturdy footwear, and sufficient water and snacks/lunch.
While the ascent will raise our heart rates a bit, the descent is challenging in a different way, testing our quads and knees, and requiring good balance as we clamber down over the rocks. Participants must have good fitness and be reasonably confident negotiating the rocky terrain, both ascending and descending the mountain. Participants should be prepared to move along quite steadily throughout the day.
This hike only has space for eight people, so please register only if you are committing to going.
Refer to the registration page for more information.

Art On The NET - Hiking and Creating

Location: Erving, MA
Date: 11‑Oct‑2026
Register »
Create art of nature with AMC Staff and the New England Trail's artist-in-residence, Alex Salsberg! Join us for a peaceful ~3 mile out-and-back hike through the hemlock forests of Northfield Mountain to a scenic overlook on the Erving Ledges. We will be drawing our surroundings; the plants, animals, views, and whatever else you may see on the trail!
Art supplies will be provided by staff. Refer to the registration page for more information, including what to bring.

Robert Frost Trail Sections 2 & 3

Location: Amherst, MA
Date: 13‑Oct‑2026
Register »
From Notch Visitor Center the RFT follows the NET up toward Mt Norwottuck. The RFT branches off from the NET just east of the Horse Caves skirting the north slope of Mt Norwottuck. It then cuts south and reconnects with the NET in the saddle between Mt Norwottuck and Rattlesnake Knob. There are sweeping views in three directions from Rattlesnake Knob.
The trail then takes a steep descent and then goes over rocky terrain to the summit of Long Mountain, which also has very nice views. The RFT then continues down to Harris Mountain Road where we then cross to connect with Section 3, which is a relatively short and easy walk. It starts in open woods and then crosses a utility corridor, which leads to a quiet road walk through Amherst to Belchertown where it ends on Warren Wright Road near Lawrence Swamp.
We will meet at 207 Warren Wright Rd, Belchertown, MA at 9:00 AM, which is where the hike will end. We will then car spot to the Notch Visitors Center, Amherst, MA, where the hike will begin. This hike is about 6.3 miles with ~800 ft of elevation gain.
Please note it will be bear and archery hunting. Wear bright orange. Bring plenty of water, snacks and/or lunch, dress in layers as we move toward cooler weather. Also, the hike has some steep up and down areas and can be very rocky and slippery. Poles are highly recommended.
Refer to the registration page for more information.

The Fabulous World of Fungi: A Beginners Guide

Location: Russell, MA
Date: 17‑Oct‑2026
Register »
Step into the secret world of fungi! On this leisurely walk, we'll discover mushrooms, brackets, puffballs, lichens, and other fungi hiding in plain sight. Along the way, we'll learn simple tricks for identifying what we find and explore the remarkable lives of these often-overlooked organisms.
Fungi decompose fallen trees, recycle nutrients, partner with plants, and help shape entire ecosystems. They also play surprising roles in medicine, food, agriculture, and biotechnology. Come discover why the forest would grind to a halt without them!
This is not a foraging hike. We're here to observe, identify, and marvel, not munch! Tom Condon will be our guide for this Mushroom ID walk.
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 Family Programs Hiking Membership Mountaineering Net Management Paddling
Snowshoers in Wendell State Forest
  LANI GIGUERE
Hiking Committee members hiking along a river
  JEANNETTE PIERCE
A hiker views the surrounding valley
COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHT

AMC 150 Hikes

Since 1876, AMC has connected people to the outdoors through recreation, education, and conservation. In 2026, we celebrate 150 years of that legacy with the AMC 150th Relay — a 1,500-mile journey from VA to ME. Each leg of the relay contributes to a continuous route across the Northeast, showcasing the diversity of AMC's outdoor legacy. The Western MA Hiking Committee has 8 trips to choose from. Find them on our activities page.
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