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Fall Foliage Hikes in Western Massachusetts

© Karen E. Lynn

There’s a familiar crispness in the air, and with it I look forward to another autumn in New England. If you’re new to hiking, you may not know that this is the best season for the sport. Cooler temperatures offer a higher level of comfort, less insects, and here in New England, some of the most breathtaking foliage in the country. Most folks experience the colorful wonders of the season from the comfort of their automobiles. While there are certainly some great displays of color from the roadside, experiencing it from within the forest is an even richer experience. There’s nothing quite like walking down a trail carpeted in brilliant yellows, reds, and oranges while more bright primary colors fall gently to the ground. The discarded leaves are still soft to touch, before drying into a crunchy ground cover. You don’t have to travel deep into the woods for a show either. Here are some very accessible trails near my home in western Massachusetts that a recommend for a pleasant day hike on any sunny autumn day.

Quabbin Reservoir http://www.state.ma.us/film/feefree/quab...

Located off of route 9 in Belchertown, MA the mighty Quabbin is accessible by auto with outstanding views and many miles of wooded trails to hike. Park in various spots throughout the park and start exploring. The surrounding land is not hilly so hiking is not difficult, but loaded with colorful deciduous trees. This massive 81,000 acre park has abundant wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles and other wildlife, such as deer and coyotes.

D.A.R. State Forest (Daughters of the American Revolution) http://www.state.ma.us/dem/parks/darf.htm

This state park is one of my favorites in western Massachusetts. With it’s 1536 acres, it’s great for hiking, and also offers some excellent mountain biking, if you are so inclined. I highly recommend viewing foliage from Moore’s Hill at a modest elevation of 1697 feet, where you can climb an iron fire tower for one of the most spectacular views I have ever had the privilege of viewing. Located off of route 112 from route 9 in Goshen, MA, the hiking and mountain biking are both moderately difficult.

Mt. Norwottuck

Just off of route 116 between Amherst and South Hadley is the trail head for the highest peak on the Holyoke Range, Mt. Norwottuck. You can pick up a map at the Notch Visitors Center. Also on the trail is the famous Horse Caves where Daniel Shays hid horses during the historic Shays Rebellion. The hike starts on the orange blazed Robert Frost Trail, then picks up the popular white blazed M&M Trail (Metacomet-Monadnock) to the summit of Mt. Norwottuck. This hike becomes somewhat strenuous as you ascend the mountain, but the trails leading to the M&M Trail are fairly easy to navigate.