Click here for more information on BNRC trails and COVID-19
(5/16/2020) Berkshire Natural Resources Council’s trails are open. We recognize the importance of being outside for mental and physical well-being and our goal is to maintain this status for our community. At trailheads you will find signage to encourage social distancing on trails. Our use policies during this time follow the guidelines of the CDC and State of Massachusetts. We suggest that hikers bring a mask, in case the conditions warrant using one. We also ask that you avoid parking on the road if a parking lot is full and to come back at another time. Please leash your dog on BNRC trails at this time, since our four-legged friends don’t seem to understand social distancing.
Take a hike! Go for a walk, a swim, catch a fish, have a picnic, climb a mountain. We keep land so you can enjoy it. Our top trails offer a range of activities. Find the one that is right for you…then try another one next time.
For more hikes and adventures, pick up BNRC’s Go Wild at any local brochure rack, or request one at frontdesk@bnrc.org or 413-499-0596. Take a moment and let us know about your walk!
2. HOOSAC RANGE, North Adams
3. BASIN POND, Lee
4. STEVENS GLEN, West Stockbridge/Richmond
5. OLIVIA’S OVERLOOK AT YOKUN RIDGE SOUTH, Lenox/Richmond/Stockbridge/West Stockbridge
6. CLAM RIVER, Sandisfield
7. HOLLOW FIELDS, Richmond
9. STEADMAN POND AT HUDSON-HOWARD, Monterey
10. HOUSATONIC FLATS, Great Barrington
11. STEEPLETOP, New Marlborough
12. PARSONS MARSH, Lenox
13. OLD MILL TRAIL, Hinsdale/Dalton
14. THE BOULDERS, Pittsfield/Dalton/Lanesborough
1. Alford Springs, Alford
Mother Loop: 2.4 miles, round-trip; 1.5 hours
Father Loop: 4.3 miles, round-trip; 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Walking, 3; Skiing, 4
Features: Blackberries in summer, noteworthy backcountry Nordic skiing in winter, with challenging ascents and descents. Gorgeous views of Alford Valley and beyond. Good hunting reported.
Especially good in: Winter
Attention Trail Users: During the spring thaw conditions on Old Village Road/Mountain Road can deteriorate, making the trailheads at Alford Springs difficult or impossible to reach. If you encounter poor road conditions (i.e. deep mud, ruts, erosion) on Old VIllage Road or Mountain Road, please consider turning around and visiting another BNRC property.
Directions/more information
2. Hoosac Range, North Adams
Sunset Rock: 1.6 miles, round-trip; 1.25 hours
Difficulty: 2
Spruce Hill: 6 miles, round-trip; 4 hours
Difficulty: 3
Features: High elevation long views: prepare for the sublime! Cool rock cliffs formed by “glacial plucking” with trees twisted into fantastical forms by wind and ice. Blueberries at Sunset Rock and open ledges near Spruce Hill in summer. Awesome spring snowshoeing. Migratory raptors in fall, great viewing at Spruce Hill. Views over North Adams, Mount Greylock, and Florida State Forest.
Especially good in: Fall
Directions/more information
3. Basin Pond, Lee
2.5 miles, round-trip; 2 hours
Difficulty: 3 (easy walking, but does include a couple of stream crossings on step-stones)
Features: Beautiful wetlands, with a wildlife viewing deck in the sun. Trail crosses a boulder field which provides a great place for kids to climb and hide on trailside rocks.
Especially good in: Summer
Directions/more information
4. Stevens Glen, West Stockbridge/Richmond
1.5 miles, round-way; 1.25 hours
Difficulty: 2
Features: 19th century tourist attraction, reborn for the 21st century including a waterfall through romantic rock cleft, stream to dabble feet on hot day, a viewing platform with bench for reflection. Deep hemlock forest also awaits.
Especially good in: Spring
Directions/more information
5. Olivia’s Overlook at Yokun Ridge South, Lenox/Richmond/Stockbridge/West Stockbridge
Note: Yokun Ridge South is the central hub of a multi-spoked trail network. There are multiple options extending north and south from there.
Charcoal Trail: 1.6 miles, round-trip; 1 hour
Difficulty: 3
Brothers Trail: 0.9 miles, one-way; 0.75 hours
Difficulty: 2
Burbank Trail: 3.2 miles, round-trip; 2 hours
Difficulty: 3
Old Baldhead Road to Monks Pond: 0.5 miles, one-way; 0.25 hours
Difficulty: 2
Features: Charcoal pits (can you spot them?) and a run alongside Shadow Brook, named by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Remarkable stone work on trail itself. Also includes the tri-town monument: where Stockbridge, Lenox and Richmond meet…Berkshires’ answer to Four Corners.
Especially good in: Fall
Directions/more information for all Yokun Ridge South trails
6. Clam River, Sandisfield
Clam River Loop Trail: 1.5 miles, round-trip; 1 hour
Difficulty: 2
Clam River Trail: 3 miles, round-trip; 2 hours
Difficulty: 2
Hammertown Loop Trail: 1.6 miles, round-trip; 1.5 hours
Difficulty: 2
Features: Beautiful, romantic stream valley, canyon-like in spots with access to Clam River. Old stone foundations and millworks along this cold water stream. Abundant wildlife.
Especially good in: Summer
7. Hollow Fields, Richmond
2 miles, round-trip; 1 hour
Difficulty: 2
Features: Walk mowed paths through open fields – truly a rarity! Long views that are both sun-splashed and windswept, stunning in all seasons. Great bird watching, particularly in spring. Mellow spot for picnicking.
Especially good in: Spring
Attention Trail Users: During the spring thaw conditions on Perry’s Peak Road can deteriorate, making the trailhead at Hollow Fields difficult or impossible to reach. If you encounter poor road conditions (i.e. deep mud, ruts, erosion) on Perry’s Peak Road, please consider turning around and visiting another BNRC property. Please respect any “Road Closed” signs, and do not park on the side of the road or anywhere other than the BNRC trailhead for any reason. We ask this out of courtesy for our neighbors who need this road to access their homes.
Directions/more information
8. Bob’s Way, Monterey/Sandisfield
2.5 miles, round-trip; 1.5 hours
Difficulty: 2
Features: Multiple loops, so it’s easy to customize your walk with fabulous beaver pond views. Formerly a heron rookery, still teeming with wildlife. Dave’s Bench, a stone seat created from bedrock ledge and artisanal stonework sits atop with the best view of the house!
Especially good in: Spring
Directions/more information
9. Steadman Pond at Hudson-Howard, Monterey
.25 miles, one-way; 10 minutes
Difficulty: 1
Features: Pond in beautiful setting, excellent bass fishing. Swimming raft and rowboat await! Terrific bird watching. Great picnic and hangout spot.
Especially good in: Summer
Directions/more information
10. Housatonic Flats, Great Barrington
1 mile, round-trip; 30 minutes
Difficulty: 1
Features: Views of pastoral Housatonic River, birdwatching, dog walking. Super easy place to “air out” in a short time.
Especially good in: Spring
Directions/more information
11. Steepletop, New Marlborough
Louise Lane (North Loop): 2.2 miles, round-trip; 1.5 hours
Edie’s Way (South Loop): 2.2 miles, round-trip; 1.5 hours
Difficulty: 2
Features: Expansive wetlands, miles of wood road
Especially good in: Winter/Summer
Attention Trail Users: During the spring thaw conditions on Monterey-New Marlborough Road can deteriorate, making the trailhead at Steepletop difficult or impossible to reach. If you encounter poor road conditions (i.e. deep mud, ruts, erosion) on Monterey-New Marlborough Road, please consider turning around and visiting another BNRC property.
Directions/more information
12. Parsons Marsh, Lenox
Trail: 1/3 mile, one-way
Difficulty: 1
Features: Marsh, forested wetland, and quarry pond
Especially good in: Spring/Summer/Fall
Directions/more information
13. Old Mill Trail, Hinsdale/Dalton
Accessible section: 1.4 miles round-trip; 1 hour
Entire trail: 3 miles round-trip; 2 hours
Features: accessible trail, fishing access, and interpretive trail
Especially good in: Spring
Directions/more information
14. The Boulders, Pittsfield/Dalton/Lanesborough
Healthy Heart Loop: 0.5 mile, round-trip; 0.5 hour
Difficulty: 2
Green trail: 1.4 miles round-trip; 1 hour
Difficulty: 2
Red trail: 2.4 miles round-trip; 1.5 hours
Difficulty: 3
Blue trail: 2.8 miles round-trip; 1.75 hours
Difficulty: 3
Features: Miles of excellent trails, beautiful tall trees, and the natural slides at The Boulders
Especially good in: Winter/Spring/Fall
Directions/more information
Trail difficulty rating:
All time estimates are for walking in dry weather.
Difficulty ranges from 1 to 5
1- Accessible
2- Easy- Gentle grades, smooth footing
3- Moderate- uneven footing, elevation changes
4- Difficult- Strenuous due to length and/or terrain
5- Expert – No marked trails