🌿🐾Housatonic Heritage Hike with DCR, Highlands Footpath and Berkshire Natural Resources. October Mountain State Forest Schermerhorn Gorge to Felton Lake to Anderson Vista🐾🌿 Linking Highlands Footpath to the Berkshire High Road Trail Linkage of #epicgreatness
#westernmasshilltownhikers #hikethehilltowns #BNRC #highlandsfootpath #DCR #landkeepers
Newest trail in the hilltowns is open, still working on some sections, fine tuning but it is hikable!!!!! Easy trails at the base of Round Top Hill in Chester. 195-183 Round Hill Rd, Chester, MA 01011. Its on Google Maps ,”Western Mass Hilltown Hikers is dedicated to Preserving the Natural Beauty of the Hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. I am pleased to introduce Park Knox Acres Recreational Land 12.2 acres put in Chapter 61B for public hiking use. Located on Round Top Hill in Chester, this land is abundant with wildlife; moose, bear, turkey, bobcat any many varieties of birds, gentle flowing brooks, stone formations, cellar holes, wildflowers, shag bark and hemlock trees. Land that was forested 20 years ago has come back to life and is thriving. Three trails run through the property, maps and information are located at the parking area trailhead. A 1700’s village was once also located here complete with the Wright Memorial Cemetery. Enjoy your visit
Saturday October 19th at 10:00 am
Western Mass Hilltown Hikers group hike at Norwich Lake in Huntington
Saturday October 19th at 10:00 am
GPS Location: 42.30167, -72.83132
Hike Rating: Easy some slopes/rocks/roots 1 mile to lake or 2.5 Mile Woods Loop Trail to Lake
With 97 acres of forest, trails, and lake access, even horses, The Retreat at Norwich Lake has a lot to explore. Come hike a few of the trails with the Friends of SHAEC and Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, as we team up to celebrate SHAEC’s 20 years of adult education in the Hilltowns. Donations for Friends of SHAEC will be accepted the day of the hike, or in advance on SHAEC’s website: http://www.shaec.org. Prizes will be awarded to the highest donors. There are two trail options to hike one through the forest easy sloping rocky walk to the lake and the other a 2 mile old Norwich village forest trip where we will see old foundations, cellar holes, stone walls and two impressive dams and then loop back down to the lake.
The Retreat is at 128 Norwich Lake in Huntington. Turn off of Route 66 in Huntington onto Searle Rd. When you get to the fork (aprox 1.7 miles) Turn right onto Rocky Point Rd. Destination will be on the left in aprox 7/10ths of a mile. Plenty of parking. Call or email Michele at SHAEC for more information 413-354-1055.
Learn more about The Retreat at Norwich Lake on their website: http://www.retreatatnorwichlake.org
Plan for two hours hike time. This hike will be the one mile yellow/blue blazed trail to the lake, more experienced hikers can choose to hike the2.5 mile orange blazed woods trail and then loop back to the lake. Both hikes start at the “Field of Dreams” follow the signs from the parking lot. Maps and bottle water will be provided. Please be aware that there are no facilities at the trail. Park at the Norwich Retreat Parking Lot. Hike will start in the parking lot. GPS: 42.30167, -72.83132 Full hike details are on Facebook and our website.
Maps and bottled water will be provided. Please be aware that there are no facilities at the trail. Dogs are welcome! No registration required, hike is free, donations are welcome!
Hilltown Hikers is a member of the Hilltown Outdoor Stewardship Alliance Learn more at http://www.HilltownOSA.com For more hike information email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, YouTube and Twitter. #westernmasshilltownhikers. Events, maps and photos located at http://www.westernmasshilltownhikers.com
Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
🌲🚂This weekend I had the opportunity to take part in the upcoming documentary of Railway to the Moon. Dont miss the hike of the year at The Keystone Arch Bridges Trail October 12th narrated by Dave Pierce to learn all the history! 🌲🚂 #westernmasshilltownhikers #hikethehilltowns #keystonearches #kab http://www.keystonearches.com
🌿From the General Knox Trail hike August 17th hosted by Tom Ragusa, thank you to Michele for representing the #westernmasshilltownhikers
The Month of September is filled with hike, cultural and art events in Western Mass. Each one is unique and fun filled. Click here to see the entire Housatonic Heritage Hikes Brochure.
Hiking the Taproot Commons Farm Waterfall Trail in Cummington. The newest Hilltown Land Trust Trail!
Waterfall on Porter Hill Brook
Taproot Commons Farm (formally Warner Farm) is a 131-acre privately-owned property in Cummington, Massachusetts, permanently protected in 2010 with a Conservation Restriction jointly held by Hilltown Land Trust and the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation.
This private landowner’s property was conserved to continue the legacy of farming (it has been farmed since the 18th century) and to protect surface water and wildlife habitat. There are two streams on the property, Porter Brook and Tower Brook, that flow from wetlands.
The property includes a short, public trail that extends approximately half a mile from Porter Hill Road to an attractive waterfall on Tower Brook. The land remains in private ownership, but the landowners allow the public to hike the trail. Please respect the property and stay on the trails. This property is an active farm, please be aware that there may be some sugaring lines in the trail during maple sugaring season.
