Westfield River Wildwater Races 71st Annual
2026-04-18 09:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Strathmore Park, 773 Westfield Road, Russell, MA, 01071
One of the country’s oldest whitewater canoe, kayak and SUP races are taking place on the Westfield River once again on Saturday, April 18th. Participants challenge spring whitewater rapids and portage their boats around two dams for a fun and exciting paddling race that is filled with lifelong memories. The race takes place on a river that was given a “Wild & Scenic” designation by an act of Congress 31 years ago. Join us and make your own racing history!
The Hilltown Hikers will again be volunteers parking all of you at Strathmore Park AND will have a vendor booth at the park with Hilltown Swag and Outdoor Recreation information for all! See you all there…
For all the info and to sign up for the race click below:
2026 — Westfield River Wildwater Races 2026 — Race Roster — Registration, Marketing, Fundraising
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Open House and Tours at the Granite Saw
2026-05-16 09:00 - 17:00 | Chester Granite and Polishing Works, 9 Prospect Street, Chester, Ma, 01011
Guided Tours on May 16th during Chester On Track 9am to 5pm
The Hilltown Hikers are pleased to announce a day of open tours at our Historic Granite Saw property in Chester. Our tour guides will be at 9 Prospect Street across from the Historic Chester Railway Station from 9am to 5pm. There is also a foot path entrance located across from Emery Ballfield on Emery Street. Historical tours are on a rolling basis with no need to register. Historical artifacts, media boards and more all from this era will be on display. Take home a piece of “Chester Blue Granite” for all who visit!
The Chester Granite Saw is a stone cutting and finishing plant established in 1870 in Historic Chester Factory Village. It was purchased by the current President of the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers in September 2023 and donated to that non-profit to conserve and historically preserve the entire mill operation.
It is open to the public dawn to dusk every day with a walking path that passes by the old buildings, machinery and the ten-foot diameter shot saw structure which is still standing today. The Hilltown Hikers and its volunteers are cleaning up this property after eighty years of abandonment by cutting back invasive species, dead ash trees, fallen trees and eight to twelve inches of sediment that has covered its floors. This project is one of a kind in Western Massachusetts as the first stone finishing plant in the area where granite and even on occasion, marble was brought to Chester to be cut and finished for monuments, historical buildings and more and shipped throughout the country by rail on its own Boston and Albany siding which visitors can see today. Be a part of this historic project to be enjoyed by generations to come by donating or volunteering on www.hilltownhikers.com.
The Hilltown Hikers will also have a second venue on Main Street across from the Historic Pease Store!
Raffles, Granite Saw and Lost Railroad shirts, safety vests, water bottles, free handouts and more!

Want to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events. You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Tees, hoodies, hats, patches, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event. See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
Donate here:
Via our website Western Mass Hilltown Hikers
Via Paypal at paypal.me/hilltownhikers
Via Venmo: @hilltownhikers
Via Square: Home | Western Mass Hilltown Hikers (square.site)
GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of historical properties and tours, recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. provides monthly, guided group tours of historical hiking destinations in various locations of Western Massachusetts. We also provide volunteer trail maintenance for trails, maintain our historic conserved properties and provide educational presentations to other civic groups, non-profit organizations, libraries and schools. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
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Hilltown Hikers at Chester On Track
2026-05-16 09:00 - 17:00 | Chester Railway Museum, 10 Prospect Street, Chester, MA, 01011, United States
The Hilltown Hikers will be at Chester On Track 2026 at TWO Locations:
-The Chester Granite Saw, 9 Prospect Street Chester, MA 01011 across from the Historic Railroad Museum
AND
-Chester Factory Village on Main Street, Chester, MA 01011 across from the Historic Pease Store
Guided Tours on May 16th during Chester On Track 9am to 5pm
The Hilltown Hikers are pleased to announce a day of open tours at our Historic Granite Saw property in Chester. Our tour guides will be at 9 Prospect Street across from the Historic Chester Railway Station from 9am to 5pm. There is also a foot path entrance located across from Emery Ballfield on Emery Street. Historical tours are on a rolling basis with no need to register. Historical artifacts, media boards and more all from this era will be on display. Take home a piece of “Chester Blue Granite” for all who visit!
The Chester Granite Saw is a stone cutting and finishing plant established in 1870 in Historic Chester Factory Village. It was purchased by the current President of the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers in September 2023 and donated to that non-profit to conserve and historically preserve the entire mill operation.
It is open to the public dawn to dusk every day with a walking path that passes by the old buildings, machinery and the ten-foot diameter shot saw structure which is still standing today. The Hilltown Hikers and its volunteers are cleaning up this property after eighty years of abandonment by cutting back invasive species, dead ash trees, fallen trees and eight to twelve inches of sediment that has covered its floors. This project is one of a kind in Western Massachusetts as the first stone finishing plant in the area where granite and even on occasion, marble was brought to Chester to be cut and finished for monuments, historical buildings and more and shipped throughout the country by rail on its own Boston and Albany siding which visitors can see today. Be a part of this historic project to be enjoyed by generations to come by donating or volunteering on www.hilltownhikers.com.
The Hilltown Hikers will also have a second venue on Main Street across from the Historic Pease Store!
Raffles, Granite Saw and Lost Railroad shirts, safety vests, water bottles, free handouts and more!

Want to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events. You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Tees, hoodies, hats, patches, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event. See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
Donate here:
Via our website Western Mass Hilltown Hikers
Via Paypal at paypal.me/hilltownhikers
Via Venmo: @hilltownhikers
Via Square: Home | Western Mass Hilltown Hikers (square.site)
GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of historical properties and tours, recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. provides monthly, guided group tours of historical hiking destinations in various locations of Western Massachusetts. We also provide volunteer trail maintenance for trails, maintain our historic conserved properties and provide educational presentations to other civic groups, non-profit organizations, libraries and schools. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
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Azalea Fields Pittsfield State Forest
2026-06-13 10:00 - 14:30 | Pittsfield State Forest
Azalea Fields Group Hike at Pittsfield State Forest
June 13th at 10:00 am
Parking: Berry Mountain Vista Lot. Main Entrance: 1041 Cascade Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 continue straight thru the main entrance gate onto Berry Pond Circuit Road, road bears left and up the mountain continue until you see a large vista and parking lot on your right.
Hike Rating: Moderate 3.36 miles ridgeline hike with 600 feet of total elevation gain with options for less.
Join DCR Interpretive Coordinator Alec Gillman on one of the most beautiful mountaintops to experience the best the Taconic Ridge has to offer…sixty five acres of wild azaleas. Berry Hill named for William Berry, a Revolutionary War veteran who owned land here is filled with the sweet smell of blooms of many varieties of the pink wild flowers and at 2,060-feet, Berry Pond is the highest natural water body in Massachusetts. We will hike the Berry Pond shoreline and then follow the Taconic Crest Trail to Tower Mountain then return on the Pine Mountain Trail to visit Tilden Swamp with its bog vegetation. Our hike will start at the dirt parking lot known as the New York Overlook with commanding views of the Catskills and Albany. Berry Hill is also a well known hawk watching site and many different varieties of wildlife can be seen here at this high elevation. Come explore this hidden gem on the New York Massachusetts border, one of our greatest State Forests filled with the most exciting trails and grand vistas!
Please Register per vehicle on https://events.ticketleap.com/events/westernmasshilltownhikers Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com . Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring trekking poles and a snack!
Want to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events. You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Tees, hoodies, hats, patches, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event. See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
Donate here:
Via our website Western Mass Hilltown Hikers
Via Paypal at paypal.me/hilltownhikers
Via Venmo: @hilltownhikers
Via Square: Home | Western Mass Hilltown Hikers (square.site)
GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of historical properties and tours, recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. provides monthly, guided group tours of historical hiking destinations in various locations of Western Massachusetts. We also provide volunteer trail maintenance for trails, maintain our historic conserved properties and provide educational presentations to other civic groups, non-profit organizations, libraries and schools. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
IMPORTANT: For all activities, participants must come prepared with adequate water and food. Dress appropriately in layers for the weather, including rain gear, and wear proper hiking footwear. The hike leader has the discretion to deny people participation if they are not adequately prepared. Contact us via email or text with any questions. Most hikes are listed as “Dog Friendly” or “Dogs on Leash are welcome.” If leashing is required you must keep your dog on leash! Please do not bring a dog if it is not reliably under your control, leashed or otherwise, and be prepared to pick up after your dog.
Adults bringing minor children are fully responsible for their safety and well-being. For children under 14, please contact us to ask if it is permissible to bring them (some hikes may be difficult for them and a liability release is mandatory). Hikes leave from the trailhead at the “Leave Time.” Please ARRIVE at the trailhead prepared to hike at least 10 MINUTES earlier than the Leave Time.

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Birding with Martha
2026-06-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Hilltown Hikers Education Center, 195 Round Hill Road, Chester, MA, 01011
Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Special Event
Birding with Martha
June 14th 10:00 am
Hilltown Hikers Education Center at Park Knox Trails, 195 Round Hill Road, Chester, MA 01011
Round Top Hill is a great place to see a variety of birds especially during the breeding season! Join special guest, Martha Kane to learn about our feathered friends. Many of the birds we will hear and see are neotropical migrants; they winter in central and South America and visit us only in spring and early summer for nesting. Bring your binoculars and help us do an eBird count. Beginners welcome; no experience necessary. If possible, bring your smart phone loaded with the free Merlin App, and Merlin will help you identify the birds by song! Massachusetts is home to over 300 bird species, including the state bird, the Black-capped Chickadee, and many migratory and resident species across diverse habitats. Wear sturdy shoes that can get wet, a hat, sunscreen and bug spray. In case of rain we will still hike even though it might be hard to see or hear birds. No dogs on this one please.

Shirts and Hiker swag will be for sale by donation at the event.
Registration not required. Suggested Donation $15.
Donations for the conserved Chester Granite and Polishing Works
property are greatly appreciated.
www.HilltownHikers.com
Guided Group Hikes and Tours Since 2010
Call/Text 413-302-0312
westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com
Maps and bottled water provided. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com . Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring trekking poles and a snack!
Want to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events. You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Tees, hoodies, hats, patches, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event. See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
Donate here:
Via our website Western Mass Hilltown Hikers
Via Paypal at paypal.me/hilltownhikers
Via Venmo: @hilltownhikers
Via Square: Home | Western Mass Hilltown Hikers (square.site)
GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of historical properties and tours, recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. provides monthly, guided group tours of historical hiking destinations in various locations of Western Massachusetts. We also provide volunteer trail maintenance for trails, maintain our historic conserved properties and provide educational presentations to other civic groups, non-profit organizations, libraries and schools. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
IMPORTANT: For all activities, participants must come prepared with adequate water and food. Dress appropriately in layers for the weather, including rain gear, and wear proper hiking footwear. The hike leader has the discretion to deny people participation if they are not adequately prepared. Contact us via email or text with any questions. Most hikes are listed as “Dog Friendly” or “Dogs on Leash are welcome.” If leashing is required you must keep your dog on leash! Please do not bring a dog if it is not reliably under your control, leashed or otherwise, and be prepared to pick up after your dog.
Adults bringing minor children are fully responsible for their safety and well-being. For children under 14, please contact us to ask if it is permissible to bring them (some hikes may be difficult for them and a liability release is mandatory). Hikes leave from the trailhead at the “Leave Time.” Please ARRIVE at the trailhead prepared to hike at least 10 MINUTES earlier than the Leave Time.

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Boulder Park Built by the CCC
2026-07-18 10:00 - 14:30 | Boulder Park, Route 20, Chester, MA, 01011
Boulder Park Built by the CCC at the Chester Blandford State Forest
July 18th at 10:00 am
Hike Rating: Easy going with ups and downs and tree roots, stone steps and bridges. Just over two miles of trails (some are ADA accessible) that loop and crisscross among CCC built history including historic structures.
Directions: From the center of Huntington on Route 20 by Stanton Hall drive West two miles to see Boulder Park on your left. From the center of Chester, Carm’s Restaurant drive East two miles on Route 20 past Sanderson Brook Falls to see Boulder Park on your right.
Join DCR Interpretive Coordinator Alec Gillman at one of the hidden Hilltown History gems. In 1933 President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a federal program to provide employment opportunities for young men during the Depression. The program’s focus was to improve the country’s forests and recreational resources. The CCC was active in Massachusetts from 1933 to 1941. At the peak of CCC operations the state had a total of 51 camps enrolling 10,000-men.
One of the most lasting contributions of the CCC was the construction of park recreational facilities. Built of rough-hewn, on-site materials, the lodges, cabins, shelters, picnic pavilions, bath houses and other structures were designed to reflect the color and texture of their surroundings. Hiking trails, stone steps, log guardrails and stone retaining walls along roads were artfully designed to enhance the visitor’s experience of the park.
In June 1933, the 113th Company of the CCC, began work in the Southern Hilltowns region of Massachusetts, resulting in a number of facilities in and around Chester, including Boulder Park. As you walk along the paths, envision the back-breaking labor done by these young men, who chose this work as a means to provide for themselves and their families during a time of economic hardship. The work of the CCC has left a lasting legacy of parks and other recreational resources for all to appreciate. The men who undertook these projects can be remembered with great pride.
Established in 1933 by FDR, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a New Deal program combating Depression-era unemployment by hiring young men to improve national forests and recreational resources. In Massachusetts, 51 camps and 10,000 men constructed lasting park facilities, including structures in Chester and Boulder Park from 1933–1941.
Key Aspects of the CCC in Massachusetts (1933–1942):

Purpose: To provide jobs for young men while conserving natural resources.
Operations: At its peak, Massachusetts hosted 51 active camps with roughly 10,000 workers.
Legacy Projects: The CCC constructed durable recreational infrastructure, including lodges, picnic pavilions, bathhouses, and hiking trails using local materials, such as stone and log, to blend with the natural environment.
Local Impact: In June 1933, the 113th Company began work in the Southern Hilltowns, establishing projects in Chester, such as Boulder Park, as part of the state’s extensive park development efforts.

The CCC is regarded as one of the most successful New Deal programs, transforming American public lands and providing work for about 3 million men nationwide before closing in 1942
Please Register per vehicle on https://events.ticketleap.com/events/westernmasshilltownhikers Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com . Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring trekking poles and a snack!
Want to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events. You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Tees, hoodies, hats, patches, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event. See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
Donate here:
Via our website Western Mass Hilltown Hikers
Via Paypal at paypal.me/hilltownhikers
Via Venmo: @hilltownhikers
Via Square: Home | Western Mass Hilltown Hikers (square.site)
GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of historical properties and tours, recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. provides monthly, guided group tours of historical hiking destinations in various locations of Western Massachusetts. We also provide volunteer trail maintenance for trails, maintain our historic conserved properties and provide educational presentations to other civic groups, non-profit organizations, libraries and schools. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
IMPORTANT: For all activities, participants must come prepared with adequate water and food. Dress appropriately in layers for the weather, including rain gear, and wear proper hiking footwear. The hike leader has the discretion to deny people participation if they are not adequately prepared. Contact us via email or text with any questions. Most hikes are listed as “Dog Friendly” or “Dogs on Leash are welcome.” If leashing is required you must keep your dog on leash! Please do not bring a dog if it is not reliably under your control, leashed or otherwise, and be prepared to pick up after your dog.
Adults bringing minor children are fully responsible for their safety and well-being. For children under 14, please contact us to ask if it is permissible to bring them (some hikes may be difficult for them and a liability release is mandatory). Hikes leave from the trailhead at the “Leave Time.” Please ARRIVE at the trailhead prepared to hike at least 10 MINUTES earlier than the Leave Time.

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Tekoa Park Reborn
2026-08-15 10:00 - 14:00 | Tekoa Park, Route 20, Westfield, MA, 01085
Tekoa Park Reborn
August 15th at 10:00 am
Hike Rating: Moderate due to an elevation gain short climb up to the ridge and along the summit. Large rocks and single path steep sections. First half of trail is flat. Two miles round trip.
Directions: Parking area is on the Westfield/Russell town line on Route 20. Closest landmark is B & G Sporting Goods, 1460 Russell Road, Westfield, MA 01085. A parking area is located on Route 20 with the trailhead directly across the state highway going up into the woods.
27 acres along route 20 in Westfield and 7/8ths of it in Russell…. lies Tekoa Park which first began as public land prior to 1792 at which the boundaries separating Westfield from the town of Russell was established by the State Legislature. This caused it to become a private ownership of the Sackett family as a quarry.
When Mr. Sackett passed away it was handed down to his son Daniel who sold it to his kinsman Mr. Roland for $200.00. Four years later Mr. Roland sold it to his son Ashman Roland in 1855. The City of Westfield acquired the site in 1870 for $1,000.00 or $ 30.00 per acre that was six times the going rate of land in which was selling for only $5.00 per acre at that time. The deed in exchange for any inhabitants of Westfield could quarry stone from the area free of expense for private use subject to restriction by the town fathers. In 1904 the area was designed a town park known as Homer Park due to the efforts of sheriff W.W. Homer to have the city control and improve the property. In 1919 the area was named “Tekoa Park” the trees were cut back in the 1920’s in a lumbering operation. In 1930-1931 W.P.A. created a picnic area, pavilion and planted mountain laurel through out the area that overlooked a pond. The new park was rededicated in 1932.
As the years went on the park became neglected and in 1957 the Massachusetts Turnpike Bridge was constructed through the park. Mayor Alice Burke, known as the first female mayor in the country had the park closed as an economy measure. In 1969 a complete historical, biological and geological study was done on the area with governmental funding, through the auspices of “Project Epic”. In 1970 Mr. Ayers, Director of Parks and Commission tried to renew interest in the site to bring it back as a picnic recreational area. In 1976 the government funded a program called “Ceta” cleaned the area and overgrown trees. courtesy City of Westfield.
To this day, the area sits idle and unused by the public due to being so isolated in the woods off the Route 20 highway. BUT NO LONGER!
In 2022, The Hilltown Hikers reached out to Westfield Parks & Rec about this park, met with the board and offered up stewardship to clean up this amazing park and its trails on Homer’s Lookout. Our deepest gratitude goes to the City for letting us bring it back to life!
Join us and the Westfield Parks and Rec Department to hike this unique parcel of land, we have re-blazed the “blue trail”, a spoon loop to the summit and back and we want to share it with all of you.
Please Register per vehicle on https://events.ticketleap.com/events/westernmasshilltownhikers Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com . Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring trekking poles and a snack!
Want to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events. You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Tees, hoodies, hats, patches, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event. See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
Donate here:
Via our website Western Mass Hilltown Hikers
Via Paypal at paypal.me/hilltownhikers
Via Venmo: @hilltownhikers
Via Square: Home | Western Mass Hilltown Hikers (square.site)
GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of historical properties and tours, recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. provides monthly, guided group tours of historical hiking destinations in various locations of Western Massachusetts. We also provide volunteer trail maintenance for trails, maintain our historic conserved properties and provide educational presentations to other civic groups, non-profit organizations, libraries and schools. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
IMPORTANT: For all activities, participants must come prepared with adequate water and food. Dress appropriately in layers for the weather, including rain gear, and wear proper hiking footwear. The hike leader has the discretion to deny people participation if they are not adequately prepared. Contact us via email or text with any questions. Most hikes are listed as “Dog Friendly” or “Dogs on Leash are welcome.” If leashing is required you must keep your dog on leash! Please do not bring a dog if it is not reliably under your control, leashed or otherwise, and be prepared to pick up after your dog.
Adults bringing minor children are fully responsible for their safety and well-being. For children under 14, please contact us to ask if it is permissible to bring them (some hikes may be difficult for them and a liability release is mandatory). Hikes leave from the trailhead at the “Leave Time.” Please ARRIVE at the trailhead prepared to hike at least 10 MINUTES earlier than the Leave Time.

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Ragged Mountain
2026-09-26 10:00 - 14:30 | Ragged Mountain, 165 Gould Road, Adams, ma, 01220
Ragged Mountain Group Hike
Saturday September 26th at 10:00 am
Directions and Parking: At the Greylock Glen, 165 Gould Road, Adams, MA 01220 or along Thiel Road; there is also parking at the intersection of Gould Rd and Thiel Road at the Greylock Glen. Meeting place is at the junction of Thiel and Gould Road to start the hike.
Hike Rating: Difficult. 1,300 feet of elevation and 5 miles in and back to the first lookout. Option to continue to the talus cave and Ravens Rock for a 6.5-mile hike in and back.
Take a hike on the less traveled path to the infamous Ragged Mountain a favorite destination in the fall for those who can follow GPS. For many reasons this hike is considered difficult for most. We will offer a shorter version to the first lookout for those ready for a hardy hike. The mountain was once known as “Ravenscrag,” The rugged and rocky terrain is the mountain’s most distinctive feature and likely inspired its current name. An early Greylock Commission report described Ravenscrag as “an interesting geological study,” and its steep drop-offs and uneven terrain still set it apart from its neighbors. The base of these outcroppings features several sizable caves. A worthwhile and challenging climb it’s one of our favorites. It sits on the east side of the Greylock Massif, which is a subrange of the Taconic Mountains. Along the trail, a rocky outcropping near the summit provides a stunning vantage point with an outstanding view of Mount Greylock and the War Memorial Tower. There are also some dramatic outcroppings on the north side of the mountain known as “Raven’s Rocks”
Local lore claims that the Bellows Pipe Trail, which leads to Ragged Mountain, is haunted by the spirit of a hermit—a Civil War veteran from North Adams who lived in a makeshift shelter somewhere nearby the trail and reportedly died alone. Skiers descending the Thunderbolt Trail have even claimed to see his apparition near the intersection of Thunderbolt and Bellows Pipe, in the Greylock Glen.
Please Register per vehicle on https://events.ticketleap.com/events/westernmasshilltownhikers Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com . Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring trekking poles and a snack!
Want to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events. You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Tees, hoodies, hats, patches, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event. See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
Donate here:
Via our website Western Mass Hilltown Hikers
Via Paypal at paypal.me/hilltownhikers
Via Venmo: @hilltownhikers
Via Square: Home | Western Mass Hilltown Hikers (square.site)
GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of historical properties and tours, recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. provides monthly, guided group tours of historical hiking destinations in various locations of Western Massachusetts. We also provide volunteer trail maintenance for trails, maintain our historic conserved properties and provide educational presentations to other civic groups, non-profit organizations, libraries and schools. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
IMPORTANT: For all activities, participants must come prepared with adequate water and food. Dress appropriately in layers for the weather, including rain gear, and wear proper hiking footwear. The hike leader has the discretion to deny people participation if they are not adequately prepared. Contact us via email or text with any questions. Most hikes are listed as “Dog Friendly” or “Dogs on Leash are welcome.” If leashing is required you must keep your dog on leash! Please do not bring a dog if it is not reliably under your control, leashed or otherwise, and be prepared to pick up after your dog.
Adults bringing minor children are fully responsible for their safety and well-being. For children under 14, please contact us to ask if it is permissible to bring them (some hikes may be difficult for them and a liability release is mandatory). Hikes leave from the trailhead at the “Leave Time.” Please ARRIVE at the trailhead prepared to hike at least 10 MINUTES earlier than the Leave Time.

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The Hudson and Chester Granite Works
2026-09-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Chester Granite Saw, 9 Prospect Street, Chester, ma, 01011
Parking: Emery Street Chester at the Granite Saw Parking Lot across from the Ballfield. 9 Prospect Street, Chester.
Directions: From junction of Rts 20 & 102 in Lee, take Rt. 20 east and drive 18 miles to the Chester center, turn left onto Main Street and bear right onto Prospect Street under the railroad and turn right to continue on Emery Street to the parking lot across from the ballfield. GPS 42.279570, -72.975155
Hike Rating: Easy 1 mile, mostly flat terrain on dirt
The Chester Granite Company was one of two granite finishing works in Chester for cutting and polishing stone brought down to the Historic Factory Village on the Chester and Becket Railroad which was built for this purpose in 1896. “Chester Blue Granite” was brought down the steep mountain railroad from the Hudson and Chester quarry, known today as the Becket Quarry in Becket. The finishing works burned down after many prosperous years in business making monuments and gravestones and has been private property since, until recently. In September of 2023 the Hilltown Hikers purchased this lot, including a twelve-foot shot saw and all the remains of its buildings and equipment. This was the second largest stone finishing plant in the state. The saw is still the largest historical stone cutting saw in existence. Tour the property on our newly created walking path with a guide and learn about the Granite Industry in Chester and Becket. Donations for the conserved Chester Granite and Polishing Works property are greatly appreciated.
This is a Housatonic Heritage special event!
Housatonic Heritage Events 2026 Housatonic Heritage Walks – Housatonic Heritage
Please Register per vehicle on https://events.ticketleap.com/events/westernmasshilltownhikers Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com . Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring trekking poles and a snack!
Want to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events. You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Tees, hoodies, hats, patches, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event. See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
Donate here:
Via our website Western Mass Hilltown Hikers
Via Paypal at paypal.me/hilltownhikers
Via Venmo: @hilltownhikers
Via Square: Home | Western Mass Hilltown Hikers (square.site)
GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010

Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of historical properties and tours, recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. provides monthly, guided group tours of historical hiking destinations in various locations of Western Massachusetts. We also provide volunteer trail maintenance for trails, maintain our historic conserved properties and provide educational presentations to other civic groups, non-profit organizations, libraries and schools. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
IMPORTANT: For all activities, participants must come prepared with adequate water and food. Dress appropriately in layers for the weather, including rain gear, and wear proper hiking footwear. The hike leader has the discretion to deny people participation if they are not adequately prepared. Contact us via email or text with any questions. Most hikes are listed as “Dog Friendly” or “Dogs on Leash are welcome.” If leashing is required you must keep your dog on leash! Please do not bring a dog if it is not reliably under your control, leashed or otherwise, and be prepared to pick up after your dog.
Adults bringing minor children are fully responsible for their safety and well-being. For children under 14, please contact us to ask if it is permissible to bring them (some hikes may be difficult for them and a liability release is mandatory). Hikes leave from the trailhead at the “Leave Time.” Please ARRIVE at the trailhead prepared to hike at least 10 MINUTES earlier than the Leave Time.
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Chester and Becket Railroad
2026-10-04 13:00 - 16:00 | Chester and Becket Railroad, Hampden Street, Chester, ma, 01011
Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Group Tour
Chester and Becket Railroad Tour, The Granite Line
October 4th@1:00 pm
Parking: On Hampden Street at the Chester and Becket Trailhead Chester 01011
Directions: From junction of Rts 20 & 102 in Lee, take Rt. 20 east and drive 18 miles to the Chester/Becket town line, turn right on Hampden Street to the trailhead. GPS 42.279567, -72.988070
Hike Rating: Easy 2 miles in and back, mostly flat terrain on dirt, this will be a guided tour complete with handouts. Option to continue on the railbed heading East to the Route 20 connection with the Boston and Albany Railroad immediately following. (add 3 miles)
Join us for a special Housatonic Heritage event on a section of the Chester and Becket Railroad. This is an interpretive tour led by Liz Massa, President of the Hilltown Hikers. Built in 1896 as a 5.25-mile spur off the Boston & Albany Railroad to deliver granite from the Becket Quarries to the Chester finishing works. Both Chester and Becket issued bond stock in the quarry company to help in building this line because there was money to be made from the “Chester Blue Granite” for monuments and gravestones. This railroad was blasted out of the steep and winding side of the Walker Brook Valley. The first locomotive to run on this line was a wood burner, eventually upgraded to a coal burning locomotive. We will see the remains of a wooden trestle still standing on the trail and also learn how this route was used in Chester’s Emery industry and how it connects to our Granite Saw Property. Additional option to hike more of the old railroad immediately following the main event. Historical maps and relics will be on display for the event. Donations for the newly conserved Chester Granite Company Finishing Works property are greatly appreciated.
Get our exclusive “hike the lost railroad” t-shirt at the event!

Please Register per vehicle on https://events.ticketleap.com/events/westernmasshilltownhikers Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com . Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring trekking poles and a snack!
Want to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events. You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Tees, hoodies, hats, patches, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event. See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
Donate here:
Via our website Western Mass Hilltown Hikers
Via Paypal at paypal.me/hilltownhikers
Via Venmo: @hilltownhikers
Via Square: Home | Western Mass Hilltown Hikers (square.site)
GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010

Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of historical properties and tours, recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. provides monthly, guided group tours of historical hiking destinations in various locations of Western Massachusetts. We also provide volunteer trail maintenance for trails, maintain our historic conserved properties and provide educational presentations to other civic groups, non-profit organizations, libraries and schools. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
IMPORTANT: For all activities, participants must come prepared with adequate water and food. Dress appropriately in layers for the weather, including rain gear, and wear proper hiking footwear. The hike leader has the discretion to deny people participation if they are not adequately prepared. Contact us via email or text with any questions. Most hikes are listed as “Dog Friendly” or “Dogs on Leash are welcome.” If leashing is required you must keep your dog on leash! Please do not bring a dog if it is not reliably under your control, leashed or otherwise, and be prepared to pick up after your dog.
Adults bringing minor children are fully responsible for their safety and well-being. For children under 14, please contact us to ask if it is permissible to bring them (some hikes may be difficult for them and a liability release is mandatory). Hikes leave from the trailhead at the “Leave Time.” Please ARRIVE at the trailhead prepared to hike at least 10 MINUTES earlier than the Leave Time.
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Jethro Jones Lost Gravesite
2026-11-22 11:00 - 14:30 | Blair Road, Blair Road near North Blandford Cemetery, Blandford, MA, 01008
Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Group Hike
Jethro Jones Lost Gravesite
Sunday November 22nd at 11:00 am
Parking: Blair Road, Blandford, MA 01008 near North Blandford cemetery. GPS 42.20280, -72.98060 We will park on one side of the road and meet at the corner of Jones Road and Blair Road.
Hike Rating: Moderate 2 miles in and back, moderately hilly with ups and downs, rocks, roots and dirt.
Join our co-host The Blandford Historical Society for a hike honoring Revolutionary War veteran Jethro Jones. In April of 2021 we researched this lost cemetery and found its remains on a rise in Blandford on a once controversial road. The news of this reached direct descendant Jocelyn Jones, his fourth great grand daughter. Jones lived here after the revolution until his death in 1828 at age 95. He, his wife and other family members are believed to be buried at the same burial plot. Jones never received a marker or flag because his burial location was unknown. This has now all changed…Jones is now memorialized and rightly so. This is a heartwarming story that Jones himself over 250 years later would be proud of. We will honor him and his family. We will begin at the junction of Blair Road with Jones Road and hike up to the once lost small cemetery. We will learn about the life and work and service of Jethro Jones as we walk from the DAR historic marker for Jones alongside forest managed by Hull Forest Products up to the cemetery where Jones and his family are believed to be buried. We will learn about Jones’s history as one of the earliest documented African American toolmakers in colonial America, as well as his military service during the French and Indian Wars and Revolutionary War. Blandford Historical Society will share info on the early history of North Blandford, and Jones’s descendant Jocelyn Jones Arnold will share the story of finding her patriot ancestor. This hike is free and open to all, donations to the Hilltown Hikers and the Blandford Historical Society are greatly appreciated.
Please Register per vehicle on https://events.ticketleap.com/events/westernmasshilltownhikers Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com . Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring trekking poles and a snack!
Want to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events. You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Tees, hoodies, hats, patches, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event. See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
Donate here:
Via our website Western Mass Hilltown Hikers
Via Paypal at paypal.me/hilltownhikers
Via Venmo: @hilltownhikers
Via Square: Home | Western Mass Hilltown Hikers (square.site)
GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010

Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of historical properties and tours, recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. provides monthly, guided group tours of historical hiking destinations in various locations of Western Massachusetts. We also provide volunteer trail maintenance for trails, maintain our historic conserved properties and provide educational presentations to other civic groups, non-profit organizations, libraries and schools. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
IMPORTANT: For all activities, participants must come prepared with adequate water and food. Dress appropriately in layers for the weather, including rain gear, and wear proper hiking footwear. The hike leader has the discretion to deny people participation if they are not adequately prepared. Contact us via email or text with any questions. Most hikes are listed as “Dog Friendly” or “Dogs on Leash are welcome.” If leashing is required you must keep your dog on leash! Please do not bring a dog if it is not reliably under your control, leashed or otherwise, and be prepared to pick up after your dog.
Adults bringing minor children are fully responsible for their safety and well-being. For children under 14, please contact us to ask if it is permissible to bring them (some hikes may be difficult for them and a liability release is mandatory). Hikes leave from the trailhead at the “Leave Time.” Please ARRIVE at the trailhead prepared to hike at least 10 MINUTES earlier than the Leave Time.
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Whistlers Cathedrals in Winter
2026-12-19 11:00 - 15:00 | Keystone Arch Bridges Trail
Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Group Hike
Whistlers Cathedrals in Winter
The Keystone Arch Bridges
December 19th at 11:00 am
Parking: 325 Middlefield Road Chester 01011 carpool from Parking at Chester Elementary School 42.29793, -72.98323
Directions: From junction of Rts 20 & 102 in Lee, take Rt. 20 east and drive 18 miles to the Chester center, turn left onto Middlefield Road and Chester Elementary School will be on your right after 1.5 miles.
Hike Rating: Moderate 5 miles in and back, ups and downs, rocks, roots and dirt. WEATHER will determine our route for this hike, please check for updates here on the website.
Carpool is required from the Chester Elementary School due to lack of parking at the Trailhead. Carpool will start at 12:15 from the school parking lot.
This hike is narrated by Dave Pierce, local railroad historian and responsible for the National Historic Designation of bridges and the Chester Railway Museum. Please visit the museum after the hike. Construction of the 150-mile railroad was completed by 3,000 laborers in an incredible two and a half years, opening in 1841. Join us for a Historic narrative by Dave Pierce. Enjoy the incredible narration as Dave tells of the history of the Arch’s creation, the first cluster of stone arch railroad bridges built in America, located on the West Branch of the Westfield River. Learn how the stone bridges were built, visit a quarry, and the massive “cut”. We will take you up close to all of the stone bridges on the trail including the footpaths over and under the dry laid stone bridges. An optional hike to the Gator Arch will follow. The Chester Railway Station Museum will be open after the hike located at 10 Prospect Street in Chester, a national historic landmark along with the 65 and 70 foot bridges.

Please Register per vehicle on https://events.ticketleap.com/events/westernmasshilltownhikers Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com . Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring trekking poles and a snack!
Want to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events. You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Tees, hoodies, hats, patches, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event. See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
Donate here:
Via our website Western Mass Hilltown Hikers
Via Paypal at paypal.me/hilltownhikers
Via Venmo: @hilltownhikers
Via Square: Home | Western Mass Hilltown Hikers (square.site)
GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of historical properties and tours, recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. provides monthly, guided group tours of historical hiking destinations in various locations of Western Massachusetts. We also provide volunteer trail maintenance for trails, maintain our historic conserved properties and provide educational presentations to other civic groups, non-profit organizations, libraries and schools. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
IMPORTANT: For all activities, participants must come prepared with adequate water and food. Dress appropriately in layers for the weather, including rain gear, and wear proper hiking footwear. The hike leader has the discretion to deny people participation if they are not adequately prepared. Contact us via email or text with any questions. Most hikes are listed as “Dog Friendly” or “Dogs on Leash are welcome.” If leashing is required you must keep your dog on leash! Please do not bring a dog if it is not reliably under your control, leashed or otherwise, and be prepared to pick up after your dog.
Adults bringing minor children are fully responsible for their safety and well-being. For children under 14, please contact us to ask if it is permissible to bring them (some hikes may be difficult for them and a liability release is mandatory). Hikes leave from the trailhead at the “Leave Time.” Please ARRIVE at the trailhead prepared to hike at least 10 MINUTES earlier than the Leave Time.
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