Engaging Getaways and Venues for:
USA/New England: North Adams, MA
Located in the northern Berkshire Mountains near the Vermont border, North Adams and the surrounding areas offer everything an outdoor enthusiast desires. Walking and hiking trails with spectacular vistas are plentiful. There's an 11-mile rail trail for walking and biking; waters for kayaking and canoeing, and mountains for skiing, snowboarding and rock climbing.
Walks and Hikes
Mount Greylock: From North Adams, you can drive 10 miles to Bascom Lodge (30 Rockwell Rd.) at the summit by following Reservoir Rd. and then Notch Rd. The road to the summit is open from late May through Nov. 1. At Bascom Lodge, you can escape other visitors by walking on the paved road to the Appalachian Trail. Follow the trail as long as you wish, and then retrace your steps to your car. If you wish to fully descend the mountain to the Jones Nose parking area near the visitors center, you must take the Appalachian Trail, connect to the Jones Nose Trail and retrace your steps after reaching the parking area. It will be a 7.2-mile walk round-trip and take about four hours. If you want to shorten the walk and have two vehicles, you may want to park one atop the mountain and the other at the Jones Nose parking area. The Jones Nose Trail is rocky and steep, but you don't have to be an expert to complete it, and it provides spectacular views.
The Cascade: A scenic waterfall in a gorge just minutes from downtown North Adams can be accessed by a walk alongside the Notch Brook. The 48-foot waterfall is in a small town park on the north shoulder of Mount Greylock, and its flow can be forceful or a relative trickle, depending on the water level. You can walk along rocks to the base of the waterfall or proceed steeply to the right of it for an incredible view. To get here, drive on Rte. 2 toward Williamstown, turn left onto Marion Ave.and continue until it ends. There is parking on the right for a few cars, and the trail to the waterfall is next to the houses.
Mountain Meadow Preserve: This 180-acre preserve, located in Massachusetts and Vermont, gives visitors a taste of meadow and forest on its four miles of trails. It offers mountain and Williamstown views and is home to bobcats, bears, coyotes, foxes and hawks. To drive to the Williamstown parking area, go to the intersection of Routes 2 and 7, and take Route 7 north for 1.7 miles. Bear right onto Mason Street, a steep dirt road, and proceed to the preserve entrance.
Zip Lining
Zoar Outdoor in Charlemont, MA, offers a three-hour canopy tour through the woods with 11 zip lines, two sky bridges and three rappels suspended in the trees.
Cycling
The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is a multi-use trail stretching 11 miles between Adams and Lanesborough. it provides scenic views of Cheshire Lake and the Hoosic River. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation maintains the trail.
Berkshire Outfitters in Adams, MA, rents bicycles.
Kayaking and Canoeing
The Deerfield River supplies whitewater action and Class I and II rapids not far from North Adams. Class III and IV rapids can be found about an hour's drive southeast of North Adams on Millers River near Millers Falls, MA.
Guided kayaking or raft trips are available at Zoar Outdoor in Charlemont, MA. Zoar Outdoor also offers canoeing clinics. Berkshire Outfitters in Adams, MA, rents kayaks and canoes.
Skiing and Snowboarding
Jiminy Peak is southern New England's largest skiing and snowboarding resort. There are a variety of lodging options including 102 one-bedroom suites and two- and three-bedroom condominiums and vacation houses.
