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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.

Nice & Easy Canal Walk

Location: Holyoke Heritage State Park, MA
Date: 28‑Jul‑2024
Register »
A leisurely walk geared for seniors but open to all. Join the park interpreter for some exercise along the streets of Holyoke with informal, on-the-go interpretation. Each roughly 1 to 2 mile walk features a topic such as local history, architecture, plants and wildlife.
Meet at the Visitor Center. Dress for the weather. Severe weather cancels.

A.T. to Benedict Pond Loop

Location: Monterey/Great Barrington, MA
Date: 30‑Jul‑2024
Register »
Hike from A.T. trailhead on Rt 23 at the Monterey/Great Barrington line to Benedict Pond, then hike the loop trail around the pond, and return via the A.T. Distance: 5.2 miles. Elevation gain: 935 feet.

Trees to the Rescue

Location: Holyoke Heritage State Park, MA
Date: 02‑Aug‑2024
Register »
Trees cool hot cityscapes, filter polluted air, provide relaxing views, slow runoff and more. Discover beneficial traits of urban trees in Holyoke Heritage State Park.
A short leisurely stroll with stops. Meet at the Visitor Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather. Severe weather cancels.

Berkshire Hikes: Pine Cobble Preserve

Location: Williamstown, MA
Date: 03‑Aug‑2024
Register »
One of the quieter trails in the northern Berkshire region, the Pine Cobble Trail offers both great views and a workout in a half day adventure. Moderate distance of 6 miles on vigorous terrain with approximately 1,600 ft. of elevation gain. While not long, the trail climbs steeply uphill to Pine Cobble and other view points. Lookouts to Greylock, nearby NY and VT peaks, and visit a plateau of blueberries! Great training hike for taller peaks in VT and NH.

Nice & Easy Canal Walk

Location: Holyoke Heritage State Park, MA
Date: 04‑Aug‑2024
Register »
A leisurely walk geared for seniors but open to all. Join the park interpreter for some exercise along the streets of Holyoke with informal, on-the-go interpretation. Each roughly 1 to 2 mile walk features a topic such as local history, architecture, plants and wildlife.
Meet at the Visitor Center. Dress for the weather. Severe weather cancels.

Sanderson Brook Falls Loop

Location: Chester Blandford State Forest, MA
Date: 06‑Aug‑2024
Register »
This is a terrific wooded trail taking us into the Chester Blandford State Forest through thick wooded areas to a beautiful vista and to the beautiful Sanderson Brook Falls. The route traverses the H. Newman Marsh Trail, Memorial Trail, Mica Mine Road, Observation Hill Road, C.C.C. Trail, and Sanderson Brook Road. The falls are near the intersection of the C.C.C. Trail and Sanderson Brook Road. We will go clockwise, climbing up to the vistas, first and then go down to the falls, before walking back to the parking area along the unpaved Sanderson Brook Road. Trail is 4.4 miles long with an elevation gain of 1125'.

Trees to the Rescue

Location: Holyoke Heritage State Park, MA
Date: 09‑Aug‑2024
Register »
Trees cool hot cityscapes, filter polluted air, provide relaxing views, slow runoff and more. Discover beneficial traits of urban trees in Holyoke Heritage State Park.
A short leisurely stroll with stops. Meet at the Visitor Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather. Severe weather cancels.

Nice & Easy Canal Walk

Location: Holyoke Heritage State Park, MA
Date: 11‑Aug‑2024
Register »
A leisurely walk geared for seniors but open to all. Join the park interpreter for some exercise along the streets of Holyoke with informal, on-the-go interpretation. Each roughly 1 to 2 mile walk features a topic such as local history, architecture, plants and wildlife.
Meet at the Visitor Center. Dress for the weather. Severe weather cancels.

Mount Monadnock

Location: Monadnock Region, NH
Date: 13‑Aug‑2024
Register »
This hike uses the historic Marlboro trail on the west side of the mountain. The hike covers 4.5 miles with 1,850' of elevation gain. You must be in good physical condition for this strenuous hike. Our pace will be moderate at 1.5 miles an per hour. Expect to be hiking for 6 hours, some of which will be above treeline.
Dress for the conditions: a wind/rain jacket, good hiking boots, and no cotton. Bring 2 liters of water, trail snacks and a summit lunch.
Note carpooling is encouraged. NH state parks charges a fee of $15 per car.

Trees to the Rescue

Location: Holyoke Heritage State Park, MA
Date: 16‑Aug‑2024
Register »
Trees cool hot cityscapes, filter polluted air, provide relaxing views, slow runoff and more. Discover beneficial traits of urban trees in Holyoke Heritage State Park.
A short leisurely stroll with stops. Meet at the Visitor Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather. Severe weather cancels.

Nice & Easy Canal Walk

Location: Holyoke Heritage State Park, MA
Date: 18‑Aug‑2024
Register »
A leisurely walk geared for seniors but open to all. Join the park interpreter for some exercise along the streets of Holyoke with informal, on-the-go interpretation. Each roughly 1 to 2 mile walk features a topic such as local history, architecture, plants and wildlife.
Meet at the Visitor Center. Dress for the weather. Severe weather cancels.

Trees to the Rescue

Location: Holyoke Heritage State Park, MA
Date: 23‑Aug‑2024
Register »
Trees cool hot cityscapes, filter polluted air, provide relaxing views, slow runoff and more. Discover beneficial traits of urban trees in Holyoke Heritage State Park.
A short leisurely stroll with stops. Meet at the Visitor Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather. Severe weather cancels.

Nice & Easy Canal Walk

Location: Holyoke Heritage State Park, MA
Date: 25‑Aug‑2024
Register »
A leisurely walk geared for seniors but open to all. Join the park interpreter for some exercise along the streets of Holyoke with informal, on-the-go interpretation. Each roughly 1 to 2 mile walk features a topic such as local history, architecture, plants and wildlife.
Meet at the Visitor Center. Dress for the weather. Severe weather cancels.

Trees to the Rescue

Location: Holyoke Heritage State Park, MA
Date: 30‑Aug‑2024
Register »
Trees cool hot cityscapes, filter polluted air, provide relaxing views, slow runoff and more. Discover beneficial traits of urban trees in Holyoke Heritage State Park.
A short leisurely stroll with stops. Meet at the Visitor Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather. Severe weather cancels.

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.

ExCom Opportunities

Click or tap on the Volunteer links to learn more, check availability, and/or sign up for opportunities.

Hiking Chair

Date: ongoing
Volunteer »
The volunteer role of the Hiking Chair is to support leaders in offering a variety of hikes to AMC members and other participants, with a safe, fun, inclusive, and welcoming approach. A love of the outdoors and excellent organizational skills are a key fit for this position.
The volunteer role of the Hiking Chair is to support leaders in offering a variety of hikes to AMC members and other participants, with a safe, fun, inclusive, and welcoming approach. The one-year term starts November 1. The Hiking Chair works with trip leaders to:
  • Schedule hikes
  • Encourage interested hikers to become leaders
  • Assist interested people in signing up for Leadership Training
  • Participates in Leadership Training
  • Assist Leaders-in-Training to find mentors for co-leads
  • Encourage leaders to lead hikes of varying levels of difficulty year-round
  • Assist new or existing leaders with posting hikes on the AMC website as needed
  • Answer leader's questions regarding AMC or Western MA chapter policies, referring to pertinent documents online at amc-wma.org, and
  • Hold informational and social gatherings with leaders from time to time, as necessary.
The Hiking Chair serves on the Western MA Chapter Executive Committee and:
  • Attends monthly Executive Committee meetings
  • Submits monthly reports to the Executive Committee, and
  • Sets up an annual budget for hiking and stays within the budget.
The Hiking Chair may also:
  • Enlist other AMC members to serve on the Hiking Committee to assist with its activities
  • Serve as a resource for the Tuesday Hiking group, which has their own coordinators and emailers to promote and publicize hikes, and
  • Organize hiker training programs (such as winter hiking, snowshoeing, backpacking, etc.).
AMC's 12 chapters, run by volunteer Executive Committees, support the organization's mission on the ground by leading trips, offering outdoor skills and leadership training courses, and creating opportunities for conservation action and stewardship at the local level. These dedicated volunteers help activate their communities, often launching people on a path toward greater engagement with AMC's mission of protecting and enjoying the outdoors.
Executive 20s/30s A.T. Management Bicycling Communications Conservation DEI Family Programs Hiking Membership Mountaineering Net Management Paddling Training and Education
Snowshoers in Wendell State Forest
  LANI GIGUERE
Hiking Committee members hiking along a river
  JEANNETTE PIERCE
Holyoke Heritage State Park interpreter
COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHT

Reimagining an Industrial City

Join the Holyoke Heritage State Park interpreter for some exercise along the Canal Trail and discover how a city originally designed as an industrial mill town is being reimagined.
Resources
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