Great Outdoors
One of the greatest attractions in the area is nature. That is why many come here. Here are some ideas on how and where to best enjoy its beauty
Golf Links
Berkshire Hills Country Club
Only A.W. Tillinghast golf course in MA. Beautifully groomed 18 hole course with spectacular views make BHCC the perfect choice for any individual or family.
350 Benedict Road
Pittsfield
MA
01201
413.447.9429
www.berkshirehillscc.com
Golf Club at Wyndhurst Manor
Historic 18-hole course, spectacular views with challenging golf, tree-lined fairways and naturally contoured greens have been carefully preserved since 1926.
55 Lee Road
Lenox
MA
01240
877.548.1537
wyndhurst.miravalresorts.com
Greenock Country Club
Redesigned by Donald Ross, the course stands out as a masterpiece from the classic age. Greenock’s rather generous fairways suit all levels of players. 9 holes.
220 West Park Street
Lee
MA
01238
413.243.3323
greenockcc.com
Hotchkiss Golf Course
The course circles the campus of the Hotchkiss School. Designed by Seth Raynor in 1924, it still retains some of the best examples of his work in New England. 9 holes.
Route 112
Lakeville
CT
06039
860.435.4400
www.hotchkiss.org
Wahconah Country Club
Established in 193, a semi-private golf course ranked 25th in New England Journal of Golf's top 100 public access courses in all of New England. 18 holes.
20 Orchard Road
Dalton
MA
01226
413.684.1333
www.wahconahcountryclub.com
Waubeeka Golf Links
Take in awesome views and see Berkshire wildlife. Golf Boston ranks Waubeeka 35th statewide and New England Golf Journal ranks it 93rd in public courses. 18 holes.
137 New Ashford Road
Williamstown
MA
01267
413.458.8355
www.waubeeka.com
Hiking Trails
Appalachian Trail
A marked hiking trail extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine, running through many towns in the Berkshires.
South Egremont
MA
01258
413.528.8002
www.appalachiantrail.org
Bash Bish Falls State Forest
Noted for its spectacular scenery and breathtaking views. this is one of Massachusetts' most dramatic and highest single-drop waterfall.
RD 3 East Street
Mt Washington
MA
01258
413.528.0330
www.mass.gov
Berkshire Natural Resources Council
BNRC maintains over 50 miles of trails on dozens of reserves from Alford to North Adams. Here are some of their recommended trail walks.
20 Bank Row
Pittsfield
MA
01201
413.499.0596
www.bnrc.org
Harlem Valley Rail Trail
Paved bicycle path on the former railroad track connecting New York City with upstate New York. Great for walking, running, bicycling and cross-country skiing.
51 South Center Street
Millerton
NY
12546
518.789.9591
www.hvrt.org
Haystack Mountain State Park
Travel the twisting mountain road, hike the rugged trail and be astounded at the beauty of mountain laurel in June and spectacular colors of foliage in the fall.
Route 272
Norfolk
CT
06058
860.424.3200
www.ct.gov
Housatonic Meadows State Park
In rock-strewn valley of the Housatonic River amid rugged hills of the Northwestern uplands, an ideal setting for a variety of outdoor recreational activities.
Route 7
Sharon
CT
06069
860.927.3238
www.ct.gov
Jug End State Reservation
Preserving over 1100 acre property and making it accessible to all, hikers can disappear for a while into a serene natural environment and discover scenic areas.
Jug End Road
Mount Washington
MA
01258
413.528.0330
www.berkshirehiking.com
Macedonia Brook State Park
Two peaks within the Park are near 1,400 feet in elevation and offer outstanding views of the Catskills and Taconic mountains.
159 Macedonia Brook Road
Kent
CT
06757
860 927 3238
www.ct.gov
Monument Mountain
Ascend this popular peak and from its summit gaze across the spectacular landscapes of the Housatonic River Valley and the southern Berkshires.
Route 7
Great Barrington
MA
01230
413.298.3239
www.thetrustees.org
Mount Everett Reservation
The 1,356 acre state reservation surrounds "The Dome" of Mount Everett - including Guilder Pond and a path leading to the top of summit for breathtaking views.
East Street
Mount Washington
MA
01258
413.528.0330
www.mass.gov
Mount Hunger
Gem of Monterey Preservation Land Trust, on 385 acres and open to the public, miles of trails, stunning views, historic sites and a great variety of natural landscapes.
Mount Hunger Road
Monterey
MA
01245
info@mplt.org
www.mplt.org
Norfolk Land Trust Trails
Comprehensive system of hiking and skiing trails offers opportunity for nature study, photography or just unwinding. Trails begin near the town green in Norfolk.
Norfolk
CT
06058
norfolklandtrust.org
October Mountain State Forest
At 16,500 acres the largest state forest in Massachusetts. Trails for any level of hiking experience and you can also visit nearby Tanglewood.
317 Woodland Road
Lee
MA
01238
413.243.1778
www.mass.gov
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Seven miles of trails, access to Lenox Mountain summit, boardwalk on Pike’s Pond and active beaver colony. Summer camp. Housatonic canoe trips.
472 West Mountain Road
Lenox
MA
01240
413.637.0320
massaudubon.org
Questing
Named after the Questing Beast, this 438-acre open space preserve includes hiking trails, meadows, hay fields, vernal pools and streams to hike, picnic, cross country ski or hunt.
New Marlborough
MA
01230
www.thetrustees.org
Nature Preserves
Audubon Sharon Center
Sharon's community nature center connecting people to nature for 50 years. A wonderful trail walk for adults and children alike.
325 Cornwall Bridge Road
Sharon
CT
06069
860.364.0520
sharon.audubon.org
Beartown State Forest
12,000 acres for outdoor enthusiast. In summer; hiking, swimming, paddling, mountain biking. In winter; snowshoe, cross country ski, snowmobile or hunt.
69 Blue Hill Road
Monterey
MA
01245
413.528.0904
www.mass.gov
Buttercup Farm Audubon Sanctuary
Six hundred forty acres of diverse habitats with rolling and open grasslands. Six miles of trails, over 80 species of birds. Hours: Dawn to dusk.
Route 82
Stanfordville
NY
12506
518.325.5203
www.dec.ny.gov
Campbell Falls State Park Reserve
Visit a Connecticut State Park or Forest and explore the wealth of diverse natural areas and unique features that will make your experience memorable
Old Spaulding Road
Norfolk
CT
06058
860.482.1817
www.ct.gov
Cornwall Conservation Trust
Mission is to conserve open space lands and to manage those lands to promote wildlife habitat, forest improvement, water quality, farming and public recreation.
7 Railroad Square
West Cornwall
CT
06796
860.248.3255
www.cornwallconservationtrust.org
Dennis Hill State Park
Hike to the summit of this 240-acre estate for panoramic views reaching as far away as New Hampshire. Fall foliage season is an autumn wonderland.
Route 272
Norfolk
CT
06058
www.ct.gov
Dry Hill
Wander over 200 acres of forest and a maze of thickets on a trail that traces a small brook and passes vernal pools and other wetlands. Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset.
Old North Road (Harmon Road)
New Marlborough
MA
01230
413.298.3239
www.thetrustees.org
Goose Pond Reservation
Paddle across Lower Goose Pond in a wilderness area protecting more than a quarter-mile of rocky shoreline. Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset.
Access via Boat Ramp on Ridge Street
Lee
MA
01238
413.298.3239
www.thetrustees.org
Great Mountain Forest
6000 acres of permanently protected land in Norfolk and Falls Village, this research and education forest with hiking trials, a maple sugarhouse and cross country skiing.
201 Windrow Road
Norfolk
CT
06058
860.824.8188
www.greatmountainforest.org
Kent Falls State Park
Wander across the covered bridge, hike the falls, feel the mist on your face as water cascades 250' on its way to join the Housatonic River. A great place to picnic.
159 Macedonia Brook Road
Kent
CT
06757
860.927.3238
www.ct.gov
Miles Wildlife Sanctuary
A self guided natural experience.
99 West Cornwall Road
Sharon
CT
06069
860.364.0520
sharon.audubon.org
Mohawk State Forest
One of the state's largest parks it offers hikers a 30 mile trail system, traversing open fields, deep forests and steep mountainsides. The views are spectacular.
Route 4
Cornwall
CT
06756
203.788.7765
berkshirehiking.com
October Mountain State Forest
At 16,500 acres the largest state forest in Massachusetts. Trails for any level of hiking experience and you can also visit nearby Tanglewood.
317 Woodland Road
Lee
MA
01238
413.243.1778
www.mass.gov
Stissing Mountain and Park
Stissing Mountain rises 1,400 feet, a lake for swimming, boating, basketball courts, playing fields, roller blading, skate boarding and bike riding.
Pine Plains
NY
12567
www.dec.ny.gov
Taconic State Park
Copake Falls and Rudd Pond offer extensive trail system with terrain that varies from easy to challenging. Swim, picnic, hike and bike, fish and boat on scenic 64 acre pond.
59 Rudd Pond Road
Millerton
NY
12546
518.789.3059
nysparks.state.ny
Thompson Pond Nature Preserve
At the foot of Stissing Mountain and open dawn to dusk for passive recreational and educational uses, such as cross-country skiing, hiking and bird study.
Pine Plains
NY
914.244.3217
www.nature.org
Topsmead State Forest
Once a private estate, the summer home of Miss Edith Morton Chase and the grounds becomes a winter wonderland when covered in snow.
Buell Road
Litchfield
CT
06759
860.424.3200
www.ct.gov