Gone Pishing…?!
Take a Hike to Honor Native American Heritage Month
Among other things, the month of November marks Native American Heritage Month. Colonization has led to the erasure of this land's first inhabitants, their stories, their heritage, and reinforced a misconception that generations of their ancestors are no longer here. ...
Picnics, Paths, & Pebbles – Bullitt Reservation
Bullitt, Bears, & Bolsheviks
Bullitt was appointed the first American ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1933 — a role he enjoyed perhaps too much. Spaso House, located in Moscow, has been the residence of American ambassadors since the establishment of these diplomatic relations and during Bullitt’s tenure, it might as well have been called “Animal House.”
Haunted Hikes of the Berkshires
For a county as old as the Berkshires, it would be impossible not to have our share of the paranormal. With well over 116,000 acres of the region conserved for public land use, it’s also no surprise that many of these spooky encounters occurred during recreational activities like hiking. At Berkshire Family Hikes we’re always looking for inroads to get more people exploring their outdoors, and maybe a jaunt with the things that haunt our local woods is precisely the adventure you’ve been searching for.
Leaf Hunting at Laston Park
Just past the Olde Forge in Lanesborough, MA is a budding arboretum. As leaves start to fall, leaf hunting makes a great outdoor activity. Take a left off of Route 7 and visit the trees at Bill Laston Memorial Park. Keep scrolling for a FREE printable leaf hunt! Fall...
20 Family-Friendly Fall Foliage Hikes
When it comes to fall foliage, nothing beats the spectrum of colors on display in the Berkshire hills. Leaf peepers rejoice as the forested landscape erupts into shades of copper, cornelian, cranberry, gold, and every hue in between. From late September to October,...
Top Hikes for Accessibility in the Berkshires
Being outdoors and in nature is beneficial in so many ways. From healing health benefits, building community connections, education, or just having some fun, the outdoors is a gift. And that gift...
A Dream Forgotten – Getty Memorial Conservation Area
In 1972, Raynard Getty, a high school science teacher, began developing 50 acres behind the Dalton school into a conservation area. In conjunction with classroom studies, Wahconah students, alongside Getty, worked on extensive plans to create a wildlife refuge, 4 1/2 miles of nature trails, two tree farms, a large fieldstone fireplace, and a small pond. A teacher truly ahead of his time,
Getty described his vision as, “a quiet area where students can go to think and meditate.”
Mom’s Day Out – Berkshire Camino
Pooh Sticks Paradise – Margaret Lindley Park
When we visited in May, we didn’t think to much of the swimming area in regards to the global pandemic. It was too early to swim and Covid still seemed like a temporary inconvenience that would be sorted in no time at all. Cut to August and everything’s still closed, we’re gearing up for remote learning, and our Berkshire bubble is a maze of masked mortals waiting for the other shoe to drop. The only thing I could do without these days is the constant reminder of all the things we took for granted before the pandemic.
The Caveman Cometh – Tory Cave Falls
Where We Went: Tory Cave Falls - October Mountain State Forest, Lenoxdale, MA When We Went: Mid-June 2020 Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10): 2 Boots, (3 Boots to get to the cave) Trail Length: Just over 0.5 miles roundtrip How Long it Took Us: 1.5 hours...
Mom’s Day Out – The Mount
"...the Mount was to give me country cares and joys, long happy rides and drives through the wooded lanes of that loveliest region, the companionship of a few dear friends, and the freedom from the trivial obligations which was necessary if I was to go on with my...
Gold Diggers & Cave Crawlers – Widow White Reserve
Where We Went : Widow White Reservation - Lanesboro, MA When We Went : Early April & again in Late May Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : Steep in places, but mostly easy walking on wide wood roads 2.5 Boots Trail Length : NO...
This One’s For Beginners – Old Mill Trail
Where We Went : Old Mill Trail, Hinsdale MA When We Went : July 2019 Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 1 Boot Trail Length : 1.5 miles, up and back (about 1 hour) First 0.7 miles is Accessible Trail, the remainder crosses Route 8 and follows the Housatonic River downstream....
Faded Footsteps – Arrowhead Nature Trail
Where We Went : Arrowhead Nature Trail, Pittsfield/Lenox MA When We Went : Mid-April Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 1.5 Boots Trail Length : 0.5 Mile How Long it Took Us : 1 Hour Overview : "Leviathan, white whale - Call me Ishmael. Sailor, novelist - A failure until...
Cattle Calls & Waterfalls – Glendale Falls
Where We Went : Glendale Falls, Middlefield MA When We Went : Mid-March Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 3 Boots Trail Length : 1/4 Mile to the base of the Falls How Long it Took Us : 1.5 Hours Overview : For a town with a population of less than 600, Middlefield sure has...
Pooled Echoes of the Past – Duncan Brook Reservoir
Where We Went : Duncan Brook, Dalton MA When We Went : 1st Week of April Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 2.5 Boots (based on lack of trails) Trail Length : No Marked Trails How Long it Took Us : 2 Hours Overview : In 1957,...
20 Open-Air Spaces for Berkshire Families
With every aspect of our lives suddenly disrupted, nature and outdoor activities provide essential stability, stress-relief and distraction to the current crisis. Lucky for us, the Berkshires is bursting with open-air spaces. With Spring on the horizon and increasing...
Great Spot! – Kennedy Park
Today my Iphone photos reminded me that we did this hike April 13, 2019. And here I sit, one year to the day wondering why I never put this review down on paper. It's a rainy day, much like the one that brought us to Kennedy in search of the red-spotted newts. But...
Calm Against Confusion – Diane’s Trail
Where We Went : Diane's Trail - Monterey, MA When We Went : First of March Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 1.5 Boots Trail Length : 1.5 mile loop trail How Long it Took Us : 1.5 Hours Overview : In 1913, social reformers Agnes and William Gould, moved to Monterey and...
5 Reasons To Walk In The Rain – Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
airheWhere We Went : Ashuwillticook Rail Trail/Lanesborough entrance When We Went : Mid-June Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 0 Boots! (except for our rain boots) Trail Length : 11.2 Miles (We only walked about 1.5 miles before turning around.) How Long it Took Us : 2...
Treasure Hunting – Mountain Meadow Preserve
Where We Went: Mountain Meadow Preserve / Williamstown, MA & Pownal, Vermont When We Went: Last day of August Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 0.5 Boot - 1 Boot Trail Length: 4.1 miles of trails - Trail surrounding Mountain Meadow is less than 1-mile loop How Long it...
Roots Both Bitter & Sweet – Longcope Park
Where We Went : Longcope Park - South Lee, MA When We Went : Early January Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 1.5 Boots Trail Length : Loop Trail, just under 1 mile (Blue Blazes) How Long it Took Us : 2 Hours Overview : Janet Longcope Park is 46-acres of eastern hemlock,...
Ghosts In A Granite Graveyard – Historic Becket Quarry
Where We Went : Historic Becket Quarry When We Went : Mid-August Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 1.5 Boots Trail Length : Varying Lengths - Quarry Trail is under 3 miles round trip How Long it Took Us : 2.5 Hours Overview : Along with Autumn's colorful arrival comes the...
Where There’s a Hill, There’s a Way – Constitution Hill
Where We Went : Constitution Hill, Lanesborough MA When We Went : Late February Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 6 Kid's Sized Boots (I'll explain.) Trail Length : 1.7 miles Constitution Hill Trail How Long it Took Us : 3 hours Overview : In the current political climate...
Amidst Ancient Air – Bullard Woods
Where We Went : Bullard Woods Lenox/Stockbridge, MA When We Went : Mid- February Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 2 Boots Trail Length : 1.4 miles loop trail How Long it Took Us : 2 Hours "Bullard Woods: A sanctuary for wildlife and human spirit" Overview : Bullard Woods...
Dalton Dynasty – Crane’s Pond
Where We Went: Crane's Pond - unofficial trails adjacent to the Boulders off of Gulf Road, Dalton MA When We Went: Both April & November Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10): 1 Boot Trail Length: 1/2 mile of walking, various trails How Long it Took Us: 1.5 hours Overview:...
Rocks & Recollections – Thomas and Palmer Brook
Where We Went : Thomas & Palmer Brook - Great Barrington When We Went : Early February Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 1 Boot Trail Length : .5 mile Pasture Trail / About a mile up wood road How Long it Took Us : We were there almost an hour before M dunked himself...
Sorry For Grousing – Dorothy Frances Rice Wildlife Sanctuary
Where We Went : Dorothy Frances Rice Wildlife Sanctuary - Peru, MA When We Went : June 1st Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 1 - 2 Boots Trail Length : Varied trail network totaling 5 miles - All marked by colors - We hiked the Pond trail, Pink Trail, Yellow Trail, and some...
Benefits of Beavers & Bloedel – Field Farm
Where We Went : Field Farm, Williamstown When We Went : Mid- November Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 1 Boot Trail Length : 4 Miles of Trails How Long it Took Us : 2 Hours Overview : This former land of the Mohican and Mohawk tribes is tucked away in a valley...
In the Shadow of Purple Majesty – Greylock Glen Meadow
Where We Went : Greylock Glen - Adams When We Went : Mid- May Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 0.5 Boot Trail Length : Handicapped Accesible Greylock Glen Meadow Loop Trail - 1.7 miles // Moser Farm Loop Trail - 2.2 miles How Long it Took Us : 2 Hours "I pointed to a hill...
Diamond In The Rough – Steven’s Glen
Where We Went : Steven’s Glen - Richmond / West Stockbridge, MA When We Went : Mid-June Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 2 Boots Trail Length : 1.4 miles round trip / 45 minutes How Long it Took Us : 2 hours Overview : One of the more overlooked waterfalls in the...
Tall Tales & Torrents – Wahconah Falls State Park
Where We Went : Wahconah Falls State Park - Dalton, MA When We Went : April 2019 Difficulty (Boots 1 - 5) : 2 Boots Trail Length : 0.6 miles up and back / 45 minutes to 1 hour How Long it Took Us : 2 hours Overview : A wide, unmarked road leads to the base of Wahconah...
Leave It To Beaver – Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Where We Went : Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary / Lenox, MA When We Went : End of June Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 1 Boot Trail Length : 7 miles of trails (All Persons Trail: 0.3 miles) How Long it Took Us : 2.5 Hours Overview : Gee whiz, Wally!...
So Nice, We Hiked It Twice – Natural Bridge State Park
Where We Went : Natural Bridge State Park (North Adams, MA) When We Went : Early June - both times! Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 2 Boots around the Bridges Area - 1 Boot on the Elder Trail (Healthy Heart Trail) Trail Length : The Natural Bridge "Trail" is a short 0.3...
First Day Hike – Trees & Transitions
2020 rushed in and we kicked off the 1st day of the New Year with...what else?! A hike! Joined by my sister and her family, our group headed back to Glen Meadows for some bracing air and open sky. We got both in spades,...
Cold Weather Walk – Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary
Where We Went : Mass Audubon Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary / Pittsfield, MA When We Went : February 2019 Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 1 Boot / 1.5 Boot with snow on the ground Trail Length : Sacred Way Trail 1.2 miles / 1 hour How Long it Took Us : 2.5 hours...
Wolf Trees on a Wolf Moon – Road’s End Wildlife Sanctuary
Where We Went : Mass Audubon Road's End Wildlife Sanctuary / Worthington When We Went : January 10th Difficulty / Boots 1 - 10 : 2 Boots Trail Length : 1 mile How Long it Took Us : 2.5 Hours Overview : January 10th -...
BFH’s Holiday Gift Guide 2019
Guys, it's that time of year and mannnn...already I wanna buy ALL. THE. THINGS. And like anything involving my wallet, shit can get outta hand QUICK. But here's the thing, we recently moved and along the way, I attempted to purge an ungodly amount of toys, games,...
8 Winter Hikes for Families
Winter is a wonderful time of year to hike. Blankets of snow and the crisp, cold air bring a fresh perspective to many of our favorite, familiar places. Views are clearer and unobstructed, bugs are a non-issue, and animal tracks turn us all into snow detectives. Check out some of our favorite spots for Winter family hiking. Pile on the layers and get out there already! Be sure to have the cocoa ready for your return…
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