The AMC Western Massachusetts Chapter

The AMC Western Massachusetts Chapter carries out the mission of the Appalachian Mountain Club in the Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties of Massachusetts

The Western Massachusetts Chapter »

The Appalachian Mountain Club

The Appalachian Mountain Club is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors

The Appalachian Mountain Club »

What We Do

We provide guided experiences and resources to help you get the most out of your outdoor journey, while protecting the mountains, forests, waters, and trails in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions

What We Do »

Protection

Accelerating regional conservation action

Recreation

Nurturing passion for the outdoors through recreational experiences

Learning

Inspiring a lifetime of outdoor learning

Find Your Destination »

Fall is here! Enjoy peak foliage hikes, crisp nights by the fire, and stargazing opportunities at one of our destinations from Maine to New Jersey!

[28‑Nov‑2023] Shaker Mountain is a prominent peak in the Taconic Mountains located in the sprawling 11,000-acre Pittsfield forest. It is named after the nearby Hancock Shaker Village, a former Shaker religious colony and now a historic site.

Western MA Activity Committees »

AMC offers over 8,000 adventures annually, from local chapter activities to major excursions worldwide, for every ability level and outdoor interest. Our Western MA activity committees plan and lead nearly 300 of these activities every year. Join us for hiking, biking, paddling, mountaineering and many other outdoor activities, or volunteer to help maintain trails and corridors!

Our Initiatives »

Leave No Trace »

Moving the privy onto the cribbed foundation

Pit Privy Replacements »

Old Growth Forest Protection »

An Act Relative to Pesticides »

Ryan Smith views the landscape from the NET

Protection Strategies for the NET »

Solar Siting »

Natural & Cultural Resources Along the Appalachian Trail »

Sustainability in the Tyringham Valley »

Invasive Species Removal »

News & Events

20 Years Ago in Chapter News »

[25‑Nov‑2023] From the Fall 2003 issue of the Berkshire Exchange, we bring you an article on trail safety from Cosmo Catalano, Jr., AT Chair.

VIEW ALL NEWS »

AMC's 148th Annual Summit »

[20‑Jan‑2024] AMC's 148th Annual Summit will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024. Get ready for a day of educational experiences across four learning tracks: Volunteer Leadership; Conservation and Research; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI); and AMC Updates. Registration opens in November 2023.

VIEW ALL EVENTS »

Committee Highlights

Highlights are sorted by date added to the database. Scroll to see all.

Communications Committee »

Congratulations to Peggy McLennan, who was presented with the Appie of the Year award at the Chapter's 2023 Annual Business Meeting! READ MORE »

DEI Committee »

Events and exhibits held throughout the country celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of the people who are the original inhabitants, explorers, and settlers of the land now called the United States. Use our interactive map to find an event near you.

Executive Committee »

Share your love of the outdoors and inspire others! We have several openings on the Executive Committee just waiting for you!

Hiking Committee »

The Tuesday Hiking Group has been out and about every Tuesday for many years, with just a short break during the pandemic. On Oct. 10^th we celebrated with a 24^th anniversary hike and potluck at Chesterfield Gorge after a three-mile hike along the Westfield River.

A.T. Management Committee »

The 250,000-acre corridor of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) and its surrounding landscape are rich in natural and cultural resources. The Western MA A.T. Management Committee runs a robust program to catalog, monitor, and manage these resources on A.T. land in our state. READ MORE »

Mountaineering Committee »

With Access Fund's support, the Western Massachusetts Climbers' Coalition has secured permanent conservation protection for Farley Ledges and Rose Ledge. The victory is another reminder that when climbing access is threatened, local climbing organizations are often the first and best line of defense. READ MORE »

Paddling Committee »

The Western MA Chapter is blessed to have strong female leaders within its volunteer ranks. These women lead and participate in paddling trips all over the world, from Maine's Allagash River to the Connecticut River and north to Canada. READ MORE »

NET Committee »

For many hikers, the ideal trail is a remote trail; the farther from civilization the better. The New England National Scenic Trail (NET) is not that trail. AMC RESOURCES »

Membership Committee »

Are you a "people person" who enjoys personal networking, meeting new people and planning events? AMC's Western MA chapter is seeking a volunteer to serve as our Membership Chair. READ MORE »

Conservation Committee »

As the State Senate begins to debate the budget this week, now is your chance to speak up to increase funding for state parks and clean water. READ MORE »

Bicycling Committee »

Western MA cyclists enjoyed a relaxed, 20-mile warm-up ride on scenic country roads in the southwest corner of the Berkshires on May 21. Starting in Great Barrington, MA, we rode a clockwise loop through Sheffield and Egremont at a sustained pace of 11-13 mph. READ MORE »

Support AMC!

Learn state-of-the-art skills. Make new friends. Have fun. Help protect our mountains, forests, waters, trails, and dark skies. Join the Appalachian Mountain Club.

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