Hiking Committee

Upcoming Activities

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 11

Section 11: Dalton (Gulf Rd) to Ashuwillticook Rail Trail in Cheshire (8.0 miles). Elevation change: 1180 ft. Rain date: July 26. Section 11 of the AT series offers a mix of forested climbs, scenic ridgelines, excellent wildflower viewing at Gore Pond, and a small amount of walking back into town. Starting from Gulf Rd in Dalton, the trail passes by Crystal Mountain Campground before ascending North Mountain, a moderate, steady climb that rewards hikers with forested views. The trail then winds through The Cobbles, a geologic formation offering stunning panoramas of the Hoosiers River Valley. Descending into the town of Cheshire, the trail follows a mix of roads, including Furnace Hill Road, East Main St, and Main St, before reaching Railroad St, the location of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 12

Section 12: Cheshire Ashuwillticook Rail Trail to Greylock Summit (8.5 miles). Elevation change: 2500 ft. Rain date: August 2. The journey begins on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, following Church Street and School Street, passing landmarks such as the Father Tom Campsite and the Big Cheese Monument before crossing Rte 8 and Outlook Ave. From here, the trail takes on a strenuous and steady climb up Mt Greylock, the tallest peak in MA at 3,491 feet.

Mount Toby State Forest Loop

This 6.5-mile loop with 1,200 ft of elevation gain weaves through Mt Toby State Forest, stopping at the unique features of the forest, including Cranberry Pond, Roaring Falls, the summit of Mt Toby, and the Sunderland Caves. During the hike, we will traverse a mix of hiking trails and crushed gravel mountain roads (some spots can get muddy). The trail has mostly gentle elevation changes. At some points, there will be steep sections, such as when we climb up a rock scramble at the falls and an even steeper section when descending the summit of Mt Toby.

New Member Hike at Chesterfield Gorge

This hike at the Chesterfield Gorge is designed to give new members a chance to get outdoors, meet fellow members, learn more about AMC, and receive an introduction to group hikes. The hike will be led by two AMC-trained leaders and an AMC staff member. While this hike is designed for new members, all are welcome.

Dunbar Brook Old Growth Forest & Waterfalls

Join us for a rewarding hike through one of the hidden gems of Monroe State Forest. This challenging 6.8-mile loop begins with a steady climb of Raycroft Rd to the ridge before descending the scenic Dunbar Brook Trail through one of Massachusetts' finest old-growth forests. Along the way, we'll experience towering hemlocks, massive moss-covered boulders, cascading waterfalls, and the rushing waters of Dunbar Brook.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 13

Section 13: Summit of Mt Greylock to Rte 2/State Rd, North Adams (6.3 miles). Elevation change: 2800 ft. Rain date: Sunday, August 9, 2026. This northernmost section of the MA AT features a long, steady descent from the summit of Mt Greylock (3,491 ft) to the valley below. The trail first descends toward Mt Williams, offering occasional viewpoints, continuing past the Wilbur Clearing Shelter, thence on to Mt Prospect, another scenic ridge along the route. The trail descends steeply past the Mt Williams Reservoir. As the trail nears North Adams, it transitions from the forested ridges to more developed terrain, following Phelps Avenue to Rte 2 (State Road), where there is an AT trail parking area.

Keystone Arch Bridges Trail Hike

Come join me on this out and back 5-mile hike on the Keystone Arch Bridges trail in Chester which follows the West Branch of the Westfield River and will bring us to four of the historic Keystone Arch Bridges, the first series of stone arch railroad bridges built in the U.S. These magnificent bridges, reaching heights of up to 70 feet, were built in the 1930s and some of them are still in use. We may be lucky enough to see a train pass by!

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 14

Section 14: Rte 2 to VT border (8.2 miles). Elevation change: 1760 ft. Rain date: August 16. This section marks the transition from MA to VT with a challenging but rewarding ascent. Beginning at Rte 2, the trail climbs steeply through dense forest, passing the Sherman Brook Campsite. As it winds through Clarksburg State Forest, the path offers a mix of rugged terrain and shaded woodlands before reaching Eph's Lookout, a scenic viewpoint with expansive vistas. The journey continues to the Vermont border.

Pioneer Valley From Above - Mt. Tom Historical Hike

Join AMC Staff on a hike up Mt Tom via the New England Trail! We will stop at viewpoints along the way and talk about the history of the Pioneer Valley region, the New England Trail, Mt Tom, and more! This will be a ~4 mile out-and-back hike from the Mt Tom Upper Pavilion, with about 950 ft of total elevation gain.

Northfield Mountain

Please join us as we hike Northfield Mountain to the reservoir and enjoy the extreme views to the west. The trails are open in the summer months for a variety of uses such as mountain biking and horseback riding, but we will stick to the hiking trails completing approximately a five mile loop, on moderate terrain, with 1200 feet of elevation gain.

Holyoke Revitalization Tour

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.

Holyoke's Historic Canals and Dam Tour

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.

[Women+] Connecting Women, Connecting With Nature

Women, please join the AMC Western MA Chapter's 5^th annual Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature, women's only, weekend retreat at Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation in Russell, MA. (on the Russell Pond not far from Noble View). We have scheduled a variety of traditional and non-traditional outdoor pursuits in the hope of attracting women to the joy and rejuvenation of the outdoors.