Hiking Committee

Upcoming Activities

National Trail's Day: AT Cheshire Hike

Join us on National Trails Day for a hike and ice cream at Diane's Twist! We will have a table set up with information and merchandise and light snacks, with free giveaways. We will hike up to the Cobbles on the Appalachian Trail. This is an out and back hike 3 miles total with 920 feet elevation gain.

Holyoke Canal and Fishway Tour

Two tours in one! Holyoke's canals were key to making this planned industrial city. Easy 1.5-mile (total) walking tour of 1st and 2nd level canals. Discover how they were built and how they work.

National Trails Day

Join us on National Trails Day, June 6, 2026! Get outdoors! Meet new people! Give back to the trails! The AMC's Western MA Chapter is celebrating with a variety of events throughout the region. You must click one of the links on the registration page to sign up for an activity. No registration is necessary to visit our table at 13 Main Street, Cheshire (on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail) to learn more about what AMC has to offer.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 4

Section 4: Home Rd to Rte 23 (6.4 miles). Elevation change: 900 ft. Our trail begins at Home Rd, entering a mixed oak and maple forest. The first 1.5 or so miles are mostly uphill, with occasional rocky sections and a few small stream crossings. After that, the trail follows a ridgeline for a couple of miles, featuring frequent short climbs and descents.

Mountain Laurel Hike at Noble View

Join me as we hike along the beautiful trails at the Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell. We will meet at the main parking at Noble View where the All Persons Trail begins. The trail, which is typically lined with blooming mountain laurels at this time of the year, leads to the two waterfalls on the property, Little Pitcher Falls and Big Pitcher Falls. We'll loop around back to the cottages to enjoy lunch on the picnic tables with a lovely view of the valley below.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 5

Section 5: Rte 23 to Beartown Mountain Rd (6.4 miles). Elevation change: 1,000 ft. Rain date: June 14. Hiking south to north: the trail begins at Rte 23 near Monterey, MA, entering a mixed hardwood forest. After crossing Blue Hill Rd the trail goes steeply up a small rock scramble. The beautiful Benedict Pond soon greets us and we begin a lovely steep and rocky hike to the Ledges. These ledges offer scenic westward views of the surrounding forests and distant ridgelines.

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+] Reflection Hike in the Southern Berkshires

Join this Women+ group as we meander through the fields, rocky outcroppings, wetlands, woodlands and spectacular views of the beautiful, bio-diverse Southern Berkshires in MA. This generally easy, 4-mile hike with an elevation of 469 ft will take approximately 2.5 hours. Along the way we will pause to read and reflect on Elizabeth Freeman, the celebration of Juneteenth (the end of slavery in America) and this nation's complicated history with freedom. Following the hike there will be an optional drive to the burial site of Elizabeth Freeman and lunch at Main St Cafe.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 6

Section 6: Beartown Mountain Road to Main Road Tyringham (6.8 miles). Elevation change: 950 ft. Rain date: June 22. After crossing Jerusalem Rd, past the Shaker Campsite, the AT enters the Tyringham Valley, a stunning area of rolling pastures and historic farmland. The trail soon begins a gradual climb up to Tyringham Cobble, a rocky ridge offering one of the best viewpoints in the Berkshires. The view from Tyringham Cobble overlooks Tyringham Valley, with its farms, historic homes, and distant ridgelines.

DAR State Forest Exploration

The DAR State Forest has over 15 miles of trails. On this just-past Solstice hike, we will be trying to see how much of the trail network we can cover in a single day! If you're up for a long and fairly brisk hike, and have a sense of adventure, this hike is for you!

Mount Toby Explorer

We will explore part of Mt Toby State Forest by taking the Robert Frost Trail from the Reservation Road parking area up to the top of Mt Toby. Hopefully, they will no longer be working on the fire tower, and we will have the option to climb up for a view. It will likely be a bit early for lunch so we can have a snack before starting down the other side toward Tower Road.

AMC Harvard Cabin White Mtns Weekend: Hiking & Community Building

This weekend is an opportunity to hike together, share ideas, and strengthen the connective tissue of our chapter — on and off the trail. We hope you'll join us for a weekend that's not only fun, but energizing — where you might just discover a gem in the Whites, perfect for future trips and shared adventures. Hikes will explore the greater Mount Washington area, with options ranging from easy/moderate to vigorous depending on interest. There may also be an optional Friday afternoon hike for early arrivals.

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.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 7

Section 7: Main St Tyringham to Rte 20 (8.5 miles). Elevation change: 975 ft. Rain date June 28. The hike begins at the trail crossing on Main St in Tyringham, MA. The trail enters a peaceful forest of rolling hills with occasional clearings with scenic views of the Tyringham Valley. The trail continues through dense forest, with gradual ups and downs and as you near Rte 20, the terrain becomes slightly rockier with occasional roots. The descent leads to the road crossing at Rte 20 in Lee, MA, near the Mass Pike (I-90).

New England Trail of Massachusetts - Section 15

Join us for a hike of Section 15 of the New England Trail. Approximately 6 miles of meandering terrain, this hike will start and end at Lake Wyola, Shutesbury, MA. We will venture through scenic woodlands and old woods roads over to Wendell State Park where we will check out Ruggles Pond and Lynn Falls and then loop back to Lake Wyola. No car spotting!

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 8

Section 8: Rte 20, Lee to County Rd (5.8 miles). Elevation change: 800 ft. Rain date: July 5. This 5.8-mile trail offers a rewarding mix of scenic beauty and physical challenge with an 800-foot elevation gain. The journey begins on Rte 20 and quickly crosses Yokum Pond/Becket Rd. The trail then ascends steadily, reaching Becket Mountain at 2175 feet, before continuing its climb toward the summit of Wailing Mountain. Along the way, hikers pass by the serene and beautiful Finerty Pond and cross the gently flowing Mountain Brook. The route culminates on County Rd.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 9

Section 9: County Rd to Blotz Rd (7.3 miles). Elevation change: 245 ft. This trail begins with a short but steady climb to the summit of Bald Top Mountain, offering rewarding views before leveling out along a ridgeline. Hikers traverse the expansive and picturesque October Mountain State Forest, winding through a mix of hardwoods and evergreens that provide shade and a peaceful atmosphere. The route passes the October Mountain Shelter, a popular rest stop for thru-hikers, before crossing Pittsfield Road in Becket.

NH Hikes: North Pack and Pack Monadnock

Summit North Pack and Pack Monadnock out and back from the north. On a clear day enjoy views from both summits with the opportunity to climb the fire tower on Pack Monadnock during lunch. Distance is approx. 7.5 miles with 2,150 elevation gain. Moderate pace with breaks for viewpoints, interesting flowers, wildlife and photos.

A.T. Backpacking from CT border to Shays' Monument

Have you ever wanted to section hike on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.)? Join us for a weekend backpacking adventure along the A.T. from the CT border into the Berkshires — where mossy ravines, rushing waterfalls, and ridgeline views make each mile feel earned.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 10

Section 10: Blotz Rd to Dalton Gulf Rd (8.5 miles). Elevation change: 956 ft. This section of the Appalachian Trail blends forested ridgelines with an urban passage through Dalton, MA. The trail begins with a brief climb to the summit of Warner Hill, where hikers are rewarded with sweeping views of the surrounding valleys. From there, it follows a gentle ridgeline, passing through a mix of woodlands before reaching the Kay Wood Shelter. The journey continues over the rolling terrain of Day Mountain before descending toward Dalton. In contrast its typical wilderness setting, the trail winds through the town to Gulf Rd.

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.

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.

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.