Our Maps and Trails

Directions

From the junction of MA 32 and MA 2A at Starrett’s Tool Company in Athol, follow MA 32 north for 3.2 miles to the Tully Lake Recreation Area entrance. To reach the campground, Long Pond, and Doane’s Falls, continue north on MA 32 for 0.5 miles, then turn right on Doane Hill Road.

After 0.3 miles, bear right at the intersection with Stewart Road and continue 0.5 miles to the campground and Long Pond boat launch, 0.6 miles to the lower Doane’s Falls parking area, or 0.9 miles to the Doane’s Falls Reservation main entrance.

Overview

The watershed of the Tully River, a major tributary of the Millers River, is a largely undeveloped area of rocky hills, forests, and wetlands. The river is comprised of two main stems: the East Branch, which originates in southern New Hampshire and serves as the source of Long Pond and Tully Lake in Royalston, and the West Branch, which winds through the hilly western portion of the valley in Warwick, Royalston, and Orange. The branches converge at the Athol-Orange town line near Little Tully Mountain and Sportsman’s Pond, then the main stem discharges into the Millers River a short distance downstream at Cass Meadow and Rich Park in Athol.

The Tully Trail, marked with yellow blazes and trail signs, is a 22-mile circuit that passes many natural features of the Tully River Valley, including Royalston Falls, Long Pond, Jacob’s Hill and Spirit Falls, Tully Lake, Tully Mountain, and the Orange and Warwick State Forests. The trail coincides with the New England Trail (NET) from Bliss Hill Road in Royalston to Falls Brook at Royalston Falls Reservation. Camping is available at the Tully Lake Campground (seasonal) and a shelter at Falls Brook. The route detailed here follows the eastern portion of the Tully Trail from Royalston Falls Reservation to Tully Lake and Doane’s Falls. Tully Campground and Recreation Area.

See more information about the full Tully Trail at The Trustees website.

A variety of facilities and recreational activities are available for visitors here. The Tully Lake Recreation Area, located on the west shores and managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, includes a boat launch, picnic area, playground, access to a universally-accessible segment of the Tully Trail, and a disc golf course in the woods surrounding Tully Lake Dam. Tully Lake Campground, operated by The Trustees, includes 35 tent sites on the north shores of the lake. Other facilities include showers, restrooms, a volleyball court, canoe and kayak rentals, and easy access to hiking trails, two boat launches, and the Mountain Bike Trail. The campground is open weekends from early May to late October, and weekdays from the end of May to mid-September (parking is available year-round for day use).

Directions

From RTE 2 W: Take Exit 13 from RTE 2 to RTE 2A East. Drive 0.5 mi on RTE 2A East and

turn right onto Wendell Depot Road. Follow for 4.5 miles to Wendell Center, once in Wendell Center, turn right onto Montague Road. Continue along Montague Rd for 3.6 miles, Wendell State Forest Headquarters / park entrance will be on the right.

From RTE 2 E: Take Exit 13 for RTE 2A East off of RTE 2 and follow directions listed above.

Note: There is a $5.00 per day parking fee.

Overview

Area comprises of three trails: Ruggles Pond Trail, Pine Tree Trail and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Trail. The CCC Trail is a reminder of the men who were given the opportunity to help develop many of the states’ recreation areas during the Great Depression. 

The Ruggles Pond Trail is also a part of the DCR Heart Healthy Trails Program.

For more information on the DCR Heart Healthy Trails Program, please visit the DCR website at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/find-a-healthy-heart-trail

Directions

Take Mountain Road off of the Tully Road by the Boiler Room and Variety Store and follow-up Mountain Road to the end with a 6 car parking lot trailhead.

The Tully Road Trailhead is located just before the bridge embankment and is street parking off of the Tully by chain gate area.

Overview

Starting at the Mountain Road Trailhead cross the meadows area and enter the forest and follow the blue blaze trail shortly to the intersection of the blue blaze ascent up the Tully Mountain to the Tully Trail.

Taking the preferred loop take a left and head up shortly to the beginning of the steep ascent.

Come to the intersection of the Tully and blue-blazed Trail with the Tully Trail going off to the left proceed straight up the blue blaze trail and at this point it becomes a steep climb to the top.

.5 ascent to the top and to the stunning clear vistas of the top of the Tully Mountain.

Ensure that you take the time to enjoy your hard work and the magnificent views.

Follow off of the top of the Tully and proceed again through mixed forest and after a fairly good distance come to the Tully trail intersection on your left this follows through the DFW and to the Heyes property and down to the Tully Road.

Continue on the blue blaze Trail down a fairly moderate descent and to the intersection of the meadows and blue blaze trail.

Either the meadows or the blue blaze trail takes you back to the Mountain Road Trailhead for the completion of this loop trail.

Directions

To find the trailhead for the Midstate on Bragg Hill Road:

From Route 2A in the center of Westminster:

Travel northeast on Bacon Street for .6 miles.

Bear right onto North Common Road and continue for .6 miles.

Bear left onto Oakmont Avenue and continue for 1.7 miles.

Cross South Ashburnham Road and continue north on Bragg Hill Road to the Trailhead.

Hike north about 1 mile to the Pond.

Overview

Muddy Pond is a remote, high-elevation undeveloped glacial pond, populated mostly by otters and other wild creatures. It is quite rare for a pond this large to be undeveloped in Central Massachusetts.

Len and Amy Engman, who have lived at the Pond since 1978, have agreed to a permanent conservation restriction on 70 acres of their land, to be held by the Town of Westminster.

The Town of Westminster voted at a 2013 Town Meeting to purchase a conservation restriction on the 70 acres of land that make up the western shore of the Pond. Support for the project is also provided by a Massachusetts LAND grant and a bargain sale by the Engmans. Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust worked with concerned local citizens and businesses to raise the balance of the money needed to conserve Muddy Pond for everyone forever.

Protecting the full shoreline of Muddy Pond provides exceptional recreational opportunities, including new public access to the Pond and the Midstate Trail through the new spur trail on the Engman CR.

The pond and Whitney Hill ridge are an important wildlife corridor and contain open water, floating bog mats, shallow marsh, beaver meadow, hemlock-swamp, red-maple swamp and upland hardwood forest.

Partners in the project with the Engmans include The Town of Westminster, Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, North County Land Trust, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and NQTA.

Nate Anderholm is the grandson of Amy and Lennie Engman. He has always loved the woods and outdoors, even to the extent of staying overnight in the Tree House, by himself. He is a brave young boy who likes adventure.

Midstate Trail – Massachusetts http://www.midstatetrail.org/

The Midstate Trail is a scenic footpath which runs 95 miles through Worcester County, Massachusetts, from the Rhode Island border to the New Hampshire border, approximately 45 miles west of Boston. Highest Elevation: 2,006.

All trails in this Red Apple trail system have been given a tick remediation mechanical processing dramatically reducing tick related incidents.

However repellents for both humans and dogs are highly recommended as a quality hike can be greatly hampered by biting insects of different kinds.

The trail system is marked with red apple blazes and blue arrows at critical junctions with signage at the loop trail junctions.

The main trailhead is the Wind Turbine trailhead in the main parking area.

Once you enter Red Apple Farm with the country store on the left immediately take your 1st right and follow up to the trailhead parking area.

Please do not park in the lower area by the country store leaving that for the patrons of the store.

Overview

There are 3 trails within the Red Apple trail system:

The 2 mile Pamela Ann Rose Shelter Family Loop Trail is a family friendly trail

This trail trailhead needs your special attention. Walk down the exit road at the main trailhead to Highland Ave. carefully look both ways cross Highland Ave and slightly to the right is the entrance to this trail.

The 2 mile Rose Water Vista Family Loop Trail and the 3.2 mile Waterwheel Dam

Action Adventure Loop Trail

Located by walking down along the apple orchards by the main trailhead then taking a right along the orchards and entering the forest.

You will see a main sign of entering the 1000 acre wetlands, this is the entrance for both of these trails.

The 2 mile Pamela Ann Rose Shelter family loop trail

Once entering this trail from Highland Ave, walk down along a recent forest cutting and take left on the cart road, shortly coming to the loop trail intersection.

The preferred way is take a right at this intersection, follow up a short ridge and continue until hearing the noise of route 2, then take a left, saying goodbye to the noise and bustle of the day.

Shortly take a right and follow until you come to a intersection this is for multi use take either way and follow out and you come to the wetlands.

Take a left and follow along the wetlands until you come out to the pond and the Pamela Ann Rose Shelter.

This is the major break spot and a spiritual hello in loving memory of my sister and the Rose family. ♥️

Continue on till you come to an intersection the left is the loop trail back, the right shortly takes you to the entrance to Lamb City campground.

Along this 2 mile loop trail you’ll be walking through different years of early successional forest cutting which is a long term scientific forestry plan in place by Bill Rose. You will see many witnesses of these different years of cutting.

The 1st section up to the ridge you will be walking through the mature cutting section and this is a wonderful blueberry and raspberry picking area.

It also allows for multi viewing of all sorts of small critters and many bird species.Take your time and enjoy the beauty and the forestry scientific value of this trail.

The 2 mile Rose Water Vista family loop trail

Enter the trail from the apple orchards and follow along until you come to the 2nd. intersection where a left takes you to the Waterwheel Loop Trail.

Go straight (not left) down through a set of granite erractics and to the stunning vistas of the peninsula.

There is a 150′ incline and decline to be prepared for.

This is a wonderful introduction trail for the family to go down to visit the wetlands and come back and have a true country experience with the children and family at the Red Apple farm with the animals and country store.

The 3.2 mile Waterwheel Dam Action Adventure loop trail

This is the true hikers hike and affords the full opportunity of seeing this stunning diversity of this trail system.

Enter the trail by following the same path of the Rose Water Vista trail and at the 2nd intersection take a left.

Follow trail down to a several hundred year old natural bridge crossing a brook and enter Baldwin Hill (break spot).

Shortly take a right at an intersection at Baldwin Hill and follow down through a beautiful series of granite erractics.

Be careful through this section with your footing especially when wet.

Follow the trail down to the 1000 acre wetlands where you come to the intersection and sign of the Upper / Lower loop trail.

The preferred way is to follow the Lower Loop Trail along these stunning wetlands and ensure you take the time to say hello to the beavers, wildlife and botany experiences.

Come out to Rico’s Peninsula and take the time for a nice break and wildlife viewing experience.

Coming from Rico’s follow up a slight incline and come out to the Upper loop trail intersection, take a right and follow trail to one of the most amazing archeological sites in the trail system, a several 100 year old early settlers Waterwheel dam.

Follow trail back up to the Upper Loop Trail intersection and follow along with many viewing opportunities along ridge looking down on the wetlands and back to the intersection of Upper/ Lower Loop Trail and up the 250′ worth of incline to the farm.

Again these trails have been tick remediated, blazed with red apples and signage and are available and open for some wonderful hiking experiences for all families and levels of hikers. ​

Directions

Gate 29 in New Salem, of the Quabbin Reservoir in New Salem on RTE 202.

Lake Wyola Parking Area Shutesbury

Lake Rd off Dennison Rd is the main parking, beach and recreational area.

Overview

Mileage:

Point to Point / Culmative

Starting at Gate 29 in New Salem, exiting the Quabbin Reservoir in New Salem on RTE 202, the trail crosses this busy road, please take care. Follow the road walk thats listed here.

* Elm St. .8 .8

* Bear’s Den 1.0 1.8

(**See description below)

* Neilson Rd 2.1 2.9

* Wendell Rd 1.1 4.0

* Jennison Rd / 6.0 6.0

Rockwell Hill Rd (NET / QM Intersection)

* Lake Wyola 4.0 10.0

(*** See description below)

From crossing of NET at Jennison / Rockwell Hill is an optional 1 mile hike on NET south along West branch of Swift River to stunning water lookout vista.

** THE BEAR’S DEN IS MANAGED BY THE TRUSTEES AND IS A WONDERFUL 6 ACRE PICNICKING AND WATER VIEWING AREA. A CAN’T MISS FOR THIS ROAD WALK. **

*** LAKE WYOLA IS A MAJOR DCR PICNICKING, RECREATIONAL AND SWIMMING AREA. PLEASE GO TAKE A DIP ON A HOT SUMMER DAY. **

Directions

1) Gulf Rd / Brush Mnt Conservation Area – Northfield

Parking 4 cars

4.5 Miles from RTE 2 Erving

2.06 MI from Northfield Center

2) Alexnder Hill Rd TH – 2 miles on Alexander Rd to TH

Multi car parking

6.56 MI from RTE 2 Erving

1.22 MI from Northfield Center

3) Bass Rd TH – 1.2 miles on Bass Rd to TH

Parking 4 cars

4) Northfield Rd / White Rd TH

Parking 3 cars

5) RTE 78 TH – 1.2 miles North from Mnt. Grace Conservation Area

Parking 6 cars

Overview

Chapter 7

NET Sections 17/18

Stratton Mountain / Mount Grace / Warwick Fores

This corridor of the Q+M Experience is along the NET sections 17/18.

Again this trail is managed by the AMC and please respect all protocols and guidelines, go to outdoors.org for more information.

Directions

Newton Reservoir/Pipeline Trail- from the Newton Reservoir Gate follows the trail to a ‘Y’ in the road. The left hand side follows the back side of the Reservoir. The right side of the ‘Y’ follows the front of the reservoir. Follow either trail to the Buckman Brook Crossing. The trail then follows the yellow “P” of the Pipeline Trail along the Buckman Brook. Along the way, there are several outstanding vistas providing different view points of this popular water body. Please be respectful of private property and stay on the marked trail.

Overview

Newton Reservoir/Pipeline Trail- from the Newton Reservoir Gate follows the trail to a ‘Y’ in the road. The left hand side follows the back side of the Reservoir. The right side of the ‘Y’ follows the front of the reservoir. Follow either trail to the Buckman Brook Crossing. The trail then follows the yellow “P” of the Pipeline Trail along the Buckman Brook. Along the way, there are several outstanding vistas providing different view points of this popular water body. Please be respectful of private property and stay on the marked trail.

Directions

1) Lake Wyola TH: Major DCR swimming, picnic and activities center. Parking for multiple cars.

See Section 5 for directions

2) Dirth Rd TH.: Half mile down Montague Rd at Net crossing. Parking for 8 cars

3) Wendell State Forest Headquarters TH. Paking for 12 cars

4) Diemand Farm Anchor Center and TH. On Mormon Hollow Rd. This is a major resupply food center and family activity center. Multiple parking area

5) Mormon Hollow TH: At crossing of Farley Rd and Mormon Hollow Rd. A intriguing and accessible picnic, brook and historical area. Parking for 4 cars

6) Farley Cliffs TH Located on Holmes Rd directly of 2A in Erving. This TH is the home of Farley Cliffs a major rock climbing area. Parking for 6 cars

7) Mountain Rd TH: Located ? miles from Mountain Rd and 2A. While Crag Mt is not open for access this is the last trail head on Section 16.

The trail leaves Mountain Rd TH a short road walk and re – enters brush and comes out at S.Mountain Rd with a present 3.2 mile road walk to Brush Mt TH and beginning of Section 16

Overview

Chapter 6 NET Sections 15 / 16

Wendell Forest/ Mormon Hollow/ Farley Cliffs

This corridor of the Q+M Experience is the NET (New England Trail) Sections 15 and 16.

The NET is managed by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and please respect all protocols and guidelines while on the NET trail section please go to outdoors.org for more information.

Directions

Either the Townsend Rd entrance or taking in the Skyfields Arboretum located next to the Mount Grace Land Trust Headquarters, 1461 Old Keene Rd, Athol, MA 01331.

Overview

Lawton Forest: The 365-acre Lawton Tree Farm was the first Mount Grace project. Mount Grace protected the forest, which abuts the trust’s Skyfields Arboretum in 1986 in collaboration with Peter Gerry and the landowner Robert Lawton.

This 5 mile total loop trail (Ridge Section 2 Miles, Forestry Section 3 Miles) through the scenic Lawton State Forest is accessible by either the Townsend Rd entrance or from the Skyfields Arboretum located next to the Mount Grace Land Trust Headquarters, 1461 Old Keene Rd, Athol, MA 01331.

Skyfields Arboretum Trail & Willis Loop Trail: Trails: The open fields of Skyfields Arboretum are laced with loop trails connecting to trails in the Lawton State Forest. The Arboretum Trail allows visitors to walk through the various habitat types and learn about the identified tree, and shrub species growing there. The Forest Trail spurs off of the Arboretum Trail for a taste of the forested area that connects to Lawton State Forest. The Willis Woods Trail provides a wandering path through the hillside forested landscape of mixed hardwoods.

The 10-acre arboretum is surrounded by stone walls. The selection of plants focuses on those native species that produce edible, high value fruits, nectar, and nuts, and provide nesting sites, such as dense evergreens or thorny shrubs.

Many wildflowers such as the bluet, common blue violet, mayflower, wood anemone, jack in the pulpit, eastern star flower, and lady slipper can be seen in blossom in springtime around the Arboretum.

Wildlife abounds on the property as well. Some common wildlife seen in Skyfields Arboretum are fox, fisher, hawks, and owls.

Directions

Harvard Forest and the Fisher Museum and Education Center are located on Route 32 in Petersham 6 miles south of the Rt 2A intersection in Athol. There is parking for multiple vehicles.

During business hours please park away from the main parking area to allow space for employees to park.

Overview

* THIS IS A HIKERS FOOTPATH ONLY TRAIL *

These Harvard Forest Trails are home to some of the leading worldwide global climate change scientific experimentation.

We are including information from Harvard Forest’s staff. Please follow it to the letter. Following the proper protocol on these trails is a true hiker’s responsibility.

Starting at the main Harvard Forest parking lot take Prospect Hill Road on the

1) French Road Trail (YELLOW) to the 2) Black Gum Swamp Boardwalk Loop Trail (PURPLE).

​Head back out onto Prospect Hill Road up to Townline Road and gate. Take a right and continue on Townline Road to the Locust Opening Road. Enter 3) Hemlock Hospice Trail (RED) and follow Locust Opening Road back to the 4) Natural History Trail (GREEN). Take this trail back to the main parking lot and visit the 5) Fisher Museum (BLUE).

IT IS VITAL THAT ALL HIKERS STAY ON DESIGNATED TRAILS LISTED ON THIS MAP]

Directions

The Rt. 32 Newton Cemetery is located on the right coming from Massachusetts 1.8 MI after the Rt 32/68 split. Take caution as it comes up quickly and is easy to miss.

Parking for 6 to 8 cars.

The parking lot is rather choppy and it can be difficult to place cars correctly so please park as expediently as possible.

Green Woods Road trailhead is located exactly 1.1 MI on the right hand side from the Rt. 32 Newton Cemetery heading north.

Travel down Green Woods road .8 miles and park on a very limited grassy area on left for 2 to 3 cars.

​Cross Green Woods Road and start your adventure.

Overview

Starting at the Green Woods Road intersection continue hiking through mixed forest and

begin to enter the geological changes of Falls Brook Gorge.

Take caution in the wet and slippery conditions but be sure to take your time and camera and enjoy the geological wonders of the washbowls and natural stone bridges that have taken millions of years to sculpt. Continue on through the Falls Brook Gorge till you come to footbridge crossing at the New Hampshire / Massachusetts line.

This is the end of the M+M trail in New Hampshire and at this point the Tully trail and NET continue together as one trail for a couple of miles.

Take trail before crossing footbridge to get to Royalston Falls.

Falls Brook Shelter a large 8 to 12 person shelter is straight ahead and up a knoll.

Continue on the trail following Falls Brook for a third of a mile. Again take caution and be prepared with a picnic lunch to enjoy the spectacular Royalston Falls.

​Follow trail back, cross footbridge and take left on trail and ascend trail back to the Rt. 32 Newton Cemetery TH.

Directions

Traveling from Athol on Route 32 south come to the Entering Petersham sign on left. Immediately take a left on Briggs Rd and proceed to the top.

The trailhead is on the left, notice horse barn in photo this will be the 1st thing you will see and park at Trail- head at left just before it.

Trail is directly across with signage continue into forest the Q+M trailhead is shortly ahead at Reflection Cove on Battersby Rd. just as you pass Gnorbert.

Overview

The Cascade Section 2.2 miles

Starting at the Q+M trailhead at Reflection Cove continue on Battersby Rd .6 miles arrive at the intersection of the Q+M at Harvard forest /French road and take a left up Ervitis Ascent.

Continue on Erviti’s Ascent until trail blends onto Prior Peters Path take left at Cascade Lane, stop at the beautiful Cascade Camp and take a break.

Proceed on Cascade Lane and a left on The Esker come off the Esker and back on to Cascade Lane and shortly a right on to Shortcut Path.

Take right on Tri Town Marker trail, take a break at tri town marker, continue onto Boney Walk come out and take a left on to Kitchen Road follow down and the end of Cascade Section at Nameless/ Kitchen Rd.

The Outer Limits Section 2.8 miles

Starting at the end of Cascade section on Nameless Road proceed till crossing

and taking left over Kendell Brook were trail becomes for short distance Gravel Pit

Circle.

Take left on Whitney Road and follow down to right on Watermans Rd.

At Waterman’s Corner, take a break and enjoy this historic stone wall foundation

structures.

Coming out of Waterman’s Corner arrive at Outer Limits trailhead follow 1.6 miles

to the other Outer Limits trailhead.

This trail continues on for 1.6 miles taking right heading to Horrible Hemlocks and

continues to the trailhead of the Outer Limits at Birch loop trail.

Follow Birch loop trail to a right back on Kitchen Rd. down to the intersection of

Nameless and take a left and immediate left on to Love Rock and a left onto Duck Walk.

Take right at Tri Town Marker trail and right at Shorcut Path out past Castle Grove and on left is Q+M trail- head at Reflection Cove.

An intro from Ben and Susie Feldman, Landowner. Along the Q-M trail, stop and visit its many resident gnomes. Walk to the Cascades, especially after a heavy rain. Find the Tri-Town Marker and look for old carved dates on it. Go out to Waterman’s Corner, and admire the skills it took to build that stone wall. On the Outer Limit, clamber across the rocks at Celtz’s Crossing. Enjoy the Cutthroat and the Kendall Brooks as they meander through the forest. Occasionally, just stop, breathe, and absorb the peacefulness.

Directions

Take either of the Holmes Ave exits off Route 2A in Erving.

Follow up hill to Biggs Road and continue to follow up road to Farley Cliffs eight car parking lot.

Please respect abutting land owners privacy.

Overview

Starting at The Farley Cliffs trailhead to the forest footpath trail by following the white blazes and signage.

Follow trail .3 to waterfall follow the white blazes up the waterfall, crossing brook at top and follow along ridge out and pass Northfield Dam.

Follow this white blaze trail till you come to the blue blaze Hermit Cave trail.

Take a right on to the loop trail out to Hermit Cave and continue on to where it connects and follows up to The Farley Ledges with outstanding vistas. Continue until you are back where the blue blaze loop trail intersection.

Continue on the white blaze trail until crossing of a footbridge and the intersection of the burnt orange trail.

Take the burnt orange trail down to where it intersects with the white blaze again at the waterfall area and continue on to you come out back to the trailhead.

Directions

FROM RTE 2 WEST: Take exit 18 for MA 2A toward Athol, Follow MA-2A W to Bearsden Rd
(8 min (3.3 mi), Take sharp right on Bearsden Rd.

FROM RTE 2 EAST: Take exit 19 for MA 2A/U.S. 202 N toward Phillipston / Winchendon 0.3 mi, Turn left onto MA-2A W (signs for MA 2A W/Phillipston) 4.5 mi, Take a sharp right onto Bearsden Rd.

The Bearsden 5 Mile 2 Shelter walk starts at the main parking lot at Bearsden.
Follow Bearsden Rd and take a left onto “Fire Rd”. Follow Fire Rd 1.56 miles down to the Millers River, along Millers River to Duck Pond Shelter.
Follow along Duck Pond Shelter back to the Millers to the Red Bridge Trail.
Follow the picturesque Red Bridge Trail over to Buckman Shelter.
Follow up to Buckman Crossing, take Round Top Trail, up to top of Round Top with fire tower, and then down Round Top to Main Parking Lot. This completes the Bearsden 2 Shelter 5 Mile Hike.

These 2 shelters in the Bearsden Conservation Area are free for usage.
Please call 978-249-2004 ahead for permit.

Overview

Please be respectful of private property and stay on the marked trail.

Welcome to Bearsden Conservation Area. Bearsden offers a varied landscape of 5 mountain tops, the Millers River, Deep Cut Gorge, Newton Reservior, Buckmans Brook, Thousand Acre Brook, Duck Pond and beautiful vistas. There are many diverseoptions, from a walk in the forest, horse trails, mountain biking, challenging hikes, and fishing.

Enjoy the beautiful Bearsden, but remember, leave only footsteps (or horse prints), and don’t forget insect repellent, energy foods, and plenty of fluids.

Bear Mountain (2,316 ft.) is the highest peak in Connecticut. It is not, however, the highest point of land in Connecticut. The highest point is 2,380 feet, found on the south slope of Mt. Frissell whose 2,453 ft. summit lies in Massachusetts. Nonetheless, Bear Mountain maintains its distinction as the highest summit in Connecticut and it offers one of the prettiest vistas in the state. It’s a beautiful hike on the Appalachian Trail south of the summit because you’re hiking on rocks, surrounded by low bushes (including blueberries!), and the view progressively opens up for you. A stone pyramid built in 1885, about 8 feet high with a flat top, sits on the summit and provides a great platform for checking out the panorama. Prominently to the north in Massachusetts are Mts. Race (to the right) and Everett (to the left). 

Directions:

Bear Mountain is located in Salisbury in scenic northwestern Connecticut.

Undermountain Trail parking lot:

From the north:

Mark odometer at junction of Rt. 23 and Rt. 41
Take Rt. 41 South
9.3 mi. – Undermountain Trail parking lot on right
An easily-missed, small, blue, oval “Undermountain Trail” sign marks the entrance to the parking lot

From the south (Salisbury):

Mark odometer at junction Rt. 44 & Rt. 41 in Salisbury
Take Rt. 41 North
0.8 mi. – pass Appalachian Trail parking lot on left
3.2 mi. – Undermountain Trail parking lot on left
An easily-missed, small, blue, oval “Undermountain Trail” sign marks the entrance
to the parking lot

INFO REFERANCE: Submitted by: Mark, MountainSummits.com, age 31, athletic male.
http://www.mountainsummits.com/pphikes/connecticut/bearpphike.htm

Directions

The Baldwin Hill Trail is accessible from RTE 2A at the RTE 2 Interchange. From RTE 2 West: Take Exit 18 on the Athol/Phillipston Town line, take a left off the exit and proceed for 0.3 miles. Baldwin Hill Road will be the first road on the right. Follow Baldwin Hill Road for 0.8 miles to the trailhead, parking on the left hand side of the road.

From RTE 2 East: Take Exit 18 on the Athol/Phillipston Town line, take a left off the exit and proceed for 0.5 miles. Baldwin Hill Road will be the first road on the right. Follow Baldwin Hill Road for 0.8 miles to the trailhead, parking on left hand side of the road.

Overview

Please be respectful of private property and stay on the marked trail.

Directions

Old State Rd is located 3 miles from the Center / Town Hall of Erving. The 2 TH’s are located down Old State Rd on your right. The Eastern TH with parking for 4 is 1.1 miles down Old State Rd, and the Western TH is located 1.3 miles down Old State Rd, parking for 8 cars on left hand side of road.
This TH is hard to find and care must be taken to find entrance on right hand side, to the woods.

Both THs are part of the Yellow blazed main trail, with the Western TH has immediate access to the Weeping Walls Nature Blue blazed trail.

Overview

The Poplar Mt. Ridge Upper/ Lower Loop Trail is made up of the main Yellow blazed trail a Lower Loop Trail that traverses the base of Poplar Ridges, offering many geological formations, the Upper White blazed Loop Trail is accessed off on the Western and Eastern side of Lower Loop and traverses the ridge with 4 spectacular vistas.

The 1 mile Blue blazed Weeping Walls Nature Trail has an outstanding geological feature and is a must hike.

The Burnt Orange blaze connects the Yellow blazed upper and lower section of the Lower Loop trail.

Maps are included below.