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Hiking Committee

The Hiking (formerly Outings) Committee organizes general, non-technical events such as hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and backpacking trips. We have a very long list of hiking trips. Most hikes occur on weekends, but we do have a tradition of Tuesday hiking trips as well. Check out our schedule!

Thanks to the leaders for leading this hike - what beautiful snow-covered scenery and that view of Quabbin was amazing! – Nancy

Thanks to the leaders for leading this hike - what beautiful snow-covered scenery and that view of Quabbin was amazing! – Nancy

Sometimes, in the winter, our "hiking" trips suddenly become "snowshoeing" or "cross-country skiing" trips. Such is life in New England!
We're always looking for trip leaders, especially those with new ideas for trails to hike. If you're interested, please contact our Hiking Chair.

Joining a Hike

Please read the AMC Trip Policy (PDF) before joining a trip.
Be sure to bring lunch and liquids, bug repellant and sunscreen, and clothing and footwear appropriate to the conditions. When car-pooling, please offer a contribution to the driver for fuel costs.
To find out more about a scheduled hike or to sign up, contact the leader, coordinator, or other person listed for that trip.

Upcoming Activities

Click or tap on the Register links to learn more and/or register for activities.

Mt Greylock - Visitor's Center to Rounds Rock Loop

Location: Lanesborough, MA
Date: 04‑May‑2024
Register »
We'll take the Woodason Spring Trail to the Rounds Rock Trail and back down by the Northrup Trail. Approx 7.5 miles on easy to moderate terrain. We walk through a variety of ecosystems and will possibly see beaver activity. We also pass an approx. 70-year old airplane crash site. Nice views at Rounds Rock where we will have lunch.
We'll meet at the Visitor's Center on Rockwell Road. We do not go to the summit on this hike.

Garden Walk

Location: Westfield, MA
Date: 05‑May‑2024
Register »
Join us to explore Chauncey Allen Park and Grandmother's Garden. Paths are wide with gravel surface and/or pavers. Dress for the weather. Some areas are in full sun and others in the shade. Please message leader for any important weather updates, or changes.

Afterwork Hike: Mineral Hills Conservation Area

Location: Northampton, MA
Date: 07‑May‑2024
Register »
Mineral Hills is a hilly forest with dramatic ridge-top views, wetlands, beaver ponds, and an abandoned rock quarry. Meet at 5:30 to hike at 5:45. Conclude the day with 2-2.5 miles on moderately steep but hilly terrain including quarry lookout.
Wear sturdy hiking shoes. Bring 1 liter of water, a snack and an extra layer. Registration is required for planning.

Chester Blandford State Forest

Location: Chester Blandford State Forest, MA
Date: 07‑May‑2024
Register »
Enjoy spring flowers as we hike in the Chester Blandford State Forest! We will hike about 6 miles, up the H. Newman Marsh Trail to the Memorial Trail, then on trails, logging roads and park roads down to Sanderson Brook. Finally, we will return to Sanderson Brook Road for a stop at Sanderson Brook Falls before returning to the cars.
For the first 3/4 mile there is a steady ascent of 700'. The footing on the ascent is tricky in spots, particularly if the rocks are wet.
Come prepared to have fun! To protect your feet and add traction please wear proper footwear (sturdy, closed- toe shoes, hiking shoes if you have them, and as trails are often wet this time of year waterproof hiking boots are recommended), snacks and lunch, water (two liters should be enough for the average hiker), rain gear (if forecast calls for precipitation), and hiking poles if you use them.
Dress in layers. While mornings are cool, the exertion will soon warm you up. Avoid cotton as it does not dry once wet. A hat, sunscreen and insect repellent are always useful!

Lithia Springs

Location: Lithia Springs, MA
Date: 12‑May‑2024
Register »
This Lithia Springs hike is an intermediate 5-6 mile hike along the south side of the Holyoke Range. We will start our hike from Lithia Springs Rd in South Hadley and hike up to the ridge of the Holyoke Range. We will hike along the ridge between Mt Hitchcock and Taylor Notch and descend to Lithia Springs Reservoir and eventually back to the parking area. The trails are generally moderate in slope with a minimum elevation of 201 ft and maximum elevation of 932 ft.
The group will hike at a moderate pace (1.5 to 2 mph) and will stop periodically for water breaks and lunch. REQUIREMENTS of the hike include clothing layers, proper footwear for spring trail conditions, snacks and lunch, 2 liters of water, and poles if you need them.

Chapel Falls From Bullit Reservation

Location: Ashfield, MA
Date: 14‑May‑2024
Register »
Out and back hike from Bullit Reservation to Chapel Falls. If circumstances allow we will continue to Chapel Ledge. 6.25 miles, 950' elevation overall.

Rail Trail Walk

Location: Westfield, MA
Date: 19‑May‑2024
Register »
Join me for a casual walk along the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail. Meet at the trail entrance ramp along Main Street in Westfield at the corner of the Stop and Shop parking lot. We'll walk south from there to the Hedges Ave underpass to view the Heroes mural. Option to continue on or return to the start. Please contact leader with any questions or weather updates.

Hike North Half of CT NET Sec 18

Location: Simsbury/Bloomfield town line, MA
Date: 21‑May‑2024
Register »
This hike will be a loop on CT NET Section 18 north of Penwood State Park. The route we'll hike will include the NET and trails on adjacent lands including the James Property, part of Simsbury Land Trust, and Wilcox Park, one of Bloomfield's Town Trails. The hike will be about 5 1/2 miles and elevation gain about 400 feet. The trail traverses a ridge and there are rocky areas as well as some wet areas.
REQUIREMENTS of the hike include proper footwear (sturdy, closed toe shoes), snacks and lunch, water (two liters for the average hiker), rain gear (if the forecast calls for precipitation), and hiking poles, if you use them.
MEETING TIME AND PLACE: 9:30 am at 100 Wintonbury Road, Simsbury, CT. This is at the dead end of this road. Park so as not to block the gate and along the down hill side of the road. GPS co-ordinates: 41.878170, -72.772263.

Celebrate MA Trails! Greylock Sunday Option

Location: Adams, MA
Date: 02‑Jun‑2024
Register »
Hike to MA highest summit on the Cheshire Harbor Trail. Visit Bascom Lodge and War Memorial and enjoy 360 views of the Berkshires and distant peaks in VT and NY.
Route description: intermediate, a mix of steep and moderate terrain, 6-7 miles, approximately 2,000 ft. elevation gain, 2 mph. Co-leader welcome.

Hoosac Range Trail

Location: North Adams, MA
Date: 25‑Jun‑2024
Register »
Join us for a lesser known hike in the Northern Berkshires. We'll visit Sunset Rock and Spruce Hill which both offer open views of Greylock and surrounding mountains. This will be out and back with a total of approximately 6 miles with 850 ft. of elevation gain. Terrain is overall moderately challenging/ intermediate with a few steeper spots.
Bring snacks/lunch/water. Poles if you use them.

Activity Schedule

All activities are subject to cancellation due to poor weather conditions. Check activities on outdoors.org for up-to-the-minute additions not yet shown here. Not all activities may be posted yet.

ExCom Opportunities

Click or tap on the Volunteer links to learn more, check availability, and/or sign up for opportunities.

Hiking Chair

Date: ongoing
Volunteer »
The volunteer role of the Hiking Chair is to support leaders in offering a variety of hikes to AMC members and other participants, with a safe, fun, inclusive, and welcoming approach. A love of the outdoors and excellent organizational skills are a key fit for this position.
The volunteer role of the Hiking Chair is to support leaders in offering a variety of hikes to AMC members and other participants, with a safe, fun, inclusive, and welcoming approach. The one-year term starts November 1. The Hiking Chair works with trip leaders to:
  • Schedule hikes
  • Encourage interested hikers to become leaders
  • Assist interested people in signing up for Leadership Training
  • Participates in Leadership Training
  • Assist Leaders-in-Training to find mentors for co-leads
  • Encourage leaders to lead hikes of varying levels of difficulty year-round
  • Assist new or existing leaders with posting hikes on the AMC website as needed
  • Answer leader's questions regarding AMC or Western MA chapter policies, referring to pertinent documents online at amc-wma.org, and
  • Hold informational and social gatherings with leaders from time to time, as necessary.
The Hiking Chair serves on the Western MA Chapter Executive Committee and:
  • Attends monthly Executive Committee meetings
  • Submits monthly reports to the Executive Committee, and
  • Sets up an annual budget for hiking and stays within the budget.
The Hiking Chair may also:
  • Enlist other AMC members to serve on the Hiking Committee to assist with its activities
  • Serve as a resource for the Tuesday Hiking group, which has their own coordinators and emailers to promote and publicize hikes, and
  • Organize hiker training programs (such as winter hiking, snowshoeing, backpacking, etc.).
AMC's 12 chapters, run by volunteer Executive Committees, support the organization's mission on the ground by leading trips, offering outdoor skills and leadership training courses, and creating opportunities for conservation action and stewardship at the local level. These dedicated volunteers help activate their communities, often launching people on a path toward greater engagement with AMC's mission of protecting and enjoying the outdoors.
Executive 20s/30s A.T. Management Bicycling Communications Conservation DEI Family Outings Hiking Membership Mountaineering Net Management Paddling Training and Education
Snowshoers in Wendell State Forest
  LANI GIGUERE
Hiking Committee members hiking along a river
  JEANNETTE PIERCE
Holyoke Heritage State Park interpreter
COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHT

Reimagining an Industrial City

Join the Holyoke Heritage State Park interpreter for some exercise along the Canal Trail and discover how a city originally designed as an industrial mill town is being reimagined.
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