Take to the Wild
Let’s face it. It hasn’t been a great summer. At first we stewed in hot, soggy weather and then mosquitoes hatched in such numbers that we hardly dare poke our heads out the door. But a new month has rolled around and with it, we hope, an end to the miasma of July.
The Berkshires in the summer are known for the wealth of their cultural offerings but there is much more to enjoy as well. The beautiful vistas and coursing waterways provide an invitation to outdoor adventure. And there is such a smorgasbord of activities to choose from.
The Berkshires have long been popular with the winter sports crowd but some ski resorts have craftily reimagined themselves, offering ziplines and other adventurous experiences to attract summer visitors. In Hancock MA for instance, Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort (www.jiminypeak.com) has become a four-season resort with an aerial adventure park—a harnessed, self-guided experience that takes participants up into the canopy for a physical and mental challenge as they navigate ziplines, tight ropes, suspended bridges and more. Or visitors can head to the Mountain Adventure Park to weave through trees on the Alpine Slide, traverse the mountainside on the Mountain Coaster or soar toward the sky on the Giant Swing. The site also offers hiking or lift-access downhill mountain biking.
Similar thrills are offered by Ramblewild (www.newramble.com), a 1,400-acre aerial adventure park in Lanesborough MA. Located within a natural hardwood forest, the aerial adventure park is sustainably built in a 10-acre forest setting, with eight tree-to-tree trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Participants will climb and traverse a series of 150 elevated elements including ropes, ladders, zip lines, bridges and swings. They soar through the tree canopy and zip across a ravine in a kayak, on a saddle or high zip lines.
The area also offers nature trails, a low ropes course and a campground.
Eager to get outside but not necessarily interested in imitating our arboreal forebears? There is a plethora of areas to hike, ranging from the easily navigated Housatonic River Walk in Great Barrington MA, a short-but-lovely shaded stretch along the Housatonic, to the granddaddy of hiking experiences, the Appalachian Trail which stretches through the entire tristate area.
Among those areas treasured by day hikers is the Race Brook Trail just over the Connecticut border on Route 41 in Sheffield MA, lauded by visitors as a “beautiful hike that includes two awesome waterfalls.” The 3.6 mile in-and-out hike includes some fairly steep grades and areas with steep boulders but the exertion rewards visitors with “a beautiful view of the waterfall.”
Biking is increasing popular in the region and bike paths are proliferating, making the experience safer and more pleasant. One trail that draws accolades is found in Lanesborough MA where the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail runs from the old Berkshire mall alongside lakes to Route 8 in Cheshire. By crossing the road, bikers can continue towards Adams where they will find the old rail trail passing through peaceful wetlands, then downhill into the village. “The lakes are absolutely beautiful,” wrote one reviewer. “The river is really nice as you follow it under the shaded old-growth woods. I have met people from all over the Northeast and New York who come here just to ride this trail …”
Looking to get on the water rather than just ride beside it? There are many lakes and rivers in the region but Berkshire Canoe Tours (www.berkshirecanoetours.org) in Lenox offers guided still-water experiences on the Housatonic River for both first-time paddlers and experienced canoeists. The guide provides information on the history and wildlife discovered along the route. The trips operate out of Decker Boat Ramp on New Lenox Road. For more information, call 413-329-6017 or contact. calmwaterpaddle16@gmail.com
Another popular summer pastime is fishing, with streams such as the Farmington River in Barkhamsted and New Hartford enjoying international renown. Great Barrington provides a cozy solution for those looking for a private fishing hole with no jet skis, no houses and no large boats. The Berkshire Fishing Club (berkshirefishing.com) offers bass boats fully equipped with electric trolling motors, mounted seats and small four-strike motors. Its 125-acre private lake is open to the public in the same way that private country clubs offer access to their golf courses.
Classes are offered to teach novice anglers to fish like a pro. Those taking classes will learn bass biology and behavior, about equipment, property techniques and kinds of bait, fish handling techniques and the like. Call 413-243-5761 for more information.