The AMC Western Massachusetts Chapter

The AMC Western Massachusetts Chapter carries out the mission of the Appalachian Mountain Club in the Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties of Massachusetts

The Western Massachusetts Chapter »

The Appalachian Mountain Club

The Appalachian Mountain Club is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors

The Appalachian Mountain Club »

What We Do

We provide guided experiences and resources to help you get the most out of your outdoor journey, while protecting the mountains, forests, waters, and trails in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions

What We Do »

Experiences

Inspiring joyous, meaningful outdoor experiences

Protection

Protecting critical landscapes for the well-being of people and the outdoors

Community

Embracing a welcoming environment and fostering equity in the outdoors

Find Your Destination »

Fall is here! Enjoy peak foliage hikes, crisp nights by the fire, and stargazing opportunities at one of our destinations from Maine to New Jersey!

[20‑Sep‑2024] Join the DCR interpreter for a 2-hour walk along Holyoke's canal system. We explore history, engineering prowess, mill operation and the power of water as we walk along parts of the first and second level canals of this fascinating planned industrial city.

Western MA Activity Committees »

AMC offers over 8,000 adventures annually, from local chapter activities to major excursions worldwide, for every ability level and outdoor interest. Our Western MA activity committees plan and lead nearly 300 of these activities every year. Join us for hiking, biking, paddling, mountaineering and many other outdoor activities, or volunteer to help maintain trails and corridors!

Our Initiatives »

Leave No Trace »

Ryan Smith views the landscape from the NET

Protection Strategies for the NET »

Natural & Cultural Resources Along the Appalachian Trail »

Moving the privy onto the cribbed foundation

Pit Privy Replacements »

Sustainability in the Tyringham Valley »

Invasive Species Removal »

News & Events

2024 NET Photo Competition is Open »

[16‑Sep‑2024] It's that time of year again! The 2024 NET Photo Competition is open and seeking all your best trail photos from 2024.

VIEW ALL NEWS »

Western MA Chapter Annual Meeting Bash »

Join the Western MA Chapter Annual Meeting Bash as we celebrate our chapter and its leaders on Friday evening, October 25 at the Summit View Banquet and Meeting House in Holyoke, MA.

VIEW ALL EVENTS »

New! ExCom Favorites »

Favorite spaces in western MA, compiled by the Western MA Executive Committee.

VIEW »

Committee Highlights

Highlights are sorted by date added to the database. Scroll to see all.

Family Programs Committee »

September StoryWalk^®. This month's StoryWalk^® is "Just Ask: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You". This best-selling book, written by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and illustrated by Rafael Lopez, encourages children to embrace their differences.

Communications Committee »

Happy Fall Everyone! September marks the end of summer, cooler temperatures and the start of the fall foliage season. Join us in one of the myriad activities we lead, including hikes, bike rides, paddling outings, trail maintenance, facility repair and our All For Fall celebration.

Bicycling Committee »

Massachusetts Ranks #1 in Bicycle Friendly State Report Card. Did you know that Massachusetts ranked #1 in the country in the 2022 Bicycle Friendly State Report Card? The League of American Bicyclists gave MA a grade of "A" for infrastructure and funding, education and encouragement, and policies and programs.

DEI Committee »

Voice Your Support for EXPLORE! Congress is taking action to make outdoor recreation inclusive for all as the House of Representatives plans an upcoming vote on the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. Voice your support for the EXPLORE Act and AORA (America's Outdoor Recreation Act) to increase equity in the outdoors. AMC »

Hiking Committee »

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. READ MORE »

NET Committee »

Walking the NET in the Pioneer Valley. Join Patrick Henry, NET Section 5 Trail Adopter, as he walks the New England Trail (NET) - now a national scenic trail - in the Pioneer Valley. READ MORE »

Conservation Committee »

Tell Congress: Protect Imperiled Species & the Endangered Species Act! The Endangered Species Act (ESA) turns 50 this year, but it is still vulnerable to attacks. Contact your legislators and ask them to oppose all attacks on the ESA and to protect whales, wolves, grizzlies & other species. SIERRA CLUB »

A.T. Management Committee »

Did You Know? The 250,000-acre corridor of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) and its surrounding landscape are rich in natural and cultural resources. The Western MA A.T. Management Committee runs a robust program to catalog, monitor, and manage these resources on A.T. land in our state. READ MORE »

Mountaineering Committee »

MA Climbers Win Big at Farley Ledges. With Access Fund's support, the Western Massachusetts Climbers' Coalition has secured permanent conservation protection for Farley Ledges and Rose Ledge. The victory is another reminder that when climbing access is threatened, local climbing organizations are often the first and best line of defense. READ MORE »

Support AMC!

Learn state-of-the-art skills. Make new friends. Have fun. Help protect our mountains, forests, waters, trails, and dark skies. Join the Appalachian Mountain Club.

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