Click here for more information on BNRC trails and COVID-19
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. Masks are now required at all times, including outdoors. 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!
CLICK HERE FOR TRAIL AND PROPERTY MAPS
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
8. BOB’S WAY, Monterey/Sandisfield
Mother Loop: 2.4 miles, round-trip; 1.5 hours Sunset Rock: 1.6 miles, round-trip; 1.25 hours 2.5 miles, round-trip; 2 hours 1.5 miles, round-way; 1.25 hours Charcoal Trail: 1.6 miles, round-trip; 1 hour Brothers Trail: 0.9 miles, one-way; 0.75 hours Burbank Trail: 3.2 miles, round-trip; 2 hours Old Baldhead Road: 1.5 miles, one-way; 1.5 hours 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. Directions/more information for all Yokun Ridge South trails Clam River Loop Trail: 1.5 miles, round-trip; 1 hour Clam River Trail: 3 miles, round-trip; 2 hours Hammertown Loop Trail: 1.6 miles, round-trip; 1.5 hours 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. 2 miles, round-trip; 1 hour 2.5 miles, round-trip; 1.5 hours .25 miles, one-way; 10 minutes 1 mile, round-trip; 30 minutes Trail: 1/3 mile, one-way Accessible section: 1.4 miles round-trip; 1 hour Healthy Heart Loop: 0.5 mile, round-trip; 0.5 hour Mahanna Cobble Trail: 3.2 miles, out-and-back, 2 hours Trail: 0.5 miles, round-trip Trail difficulty rating: Difficulty ranges from 1 to 5
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
15. MAHANNA COBBLE, Pittsfield
16. THOMAS & PALMER BROOK, Great Barrington
1. Alford Springs, Alford
Father Loop: 4.3 miles, round-trip; 2.5 hours
Saddle Trail: 1 mile, one-way, 0.5 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
Directions/more information
2. Hoosac Range, North Adams
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
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
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.
Difficulty: 3
Difficulty: 2
Difficulty: 3
Difficulty: 2
Especially good in: Fall
6. Clam River, Sandisfield
Difficulty: 2
Difficulty: 2
Difficulty: 2
Especially good in: Summer
Directions/more information
7. Hollow Fields, Richmond
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
Directions/more information
8. Bob’s Way, Monterey/Sandisfield
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
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
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
Directions/more information
12. Parsons Marsh, Lenox
Difficulty: 1
Features: Marsh, forested wetland, and quarry pond
Especially good in: Spring/Summer/Fall
Directions/more information
13. Old Mill Trail, Hinsdale/Dalton
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
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
15. Mahanna Cobble, Pittsfield
Difficulty: 4
Features: Gorgeous views south from George’s bench
Especially good in: Summer/Fall
Directions/more information
16. Thomas & Palmer Brook, Great Barrington
Difficulty: Accessible
Features: Gorgeous views across wetlands
Especially good in: Spring/Summer/Fall
Directions/more information
All time estimates are for walking in dry weather.
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
