Hikes, Tips, & More
20 Family-Friendly Fall Foliage Hikes in the Berkshires
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, this prismatic flash in the pan transforms any regular, old weekend hike into a dream-like ramble.
Bird Brains – Geese Lessons
Lately, the nights have been loud with katydids and I’ve been grabbing a sweatshirt for my morning walks. Fall is definitely in the air. The geese flocks in our nearby ponds are getting restless, somehow sensing the southward journey. As the days become shorter, instinctively they’ll know it’s time to migrate.
We’re all familiar with the breathtaking sight of a flock of geese winging overhead in that “V” formation but did you know that it is a pretty perfect example of teamwork?
Field Trip — Shelburne Falls & Bridge of Flowers
Where We Went: Shelburne Falls/Buckland, MA When We Went: Annually since 2015 (Temporarily closed in 2020) Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10): 0 Boots Trail Length: Bridge Length, 400 Feet How Long it Took Us: Two Hours Overview: For a small little village off of the...
DIY Beeswax Autumn Garland
As seasons go, Fall is definitely my favorite. Crisp, cool air makes for perfect hiking weather and the colors! The changing colors I just can't seem to get enough of. But if one thing is for certain, Fall goes by fast, and before we know it those vibrant leaves are...
Fall Hike Activities to Shake Things Up
I’ve never known anyone yet who doesn’t suffer a certain restlessness when autumn rolls around… We’re all eight years old again and anything is possible.Sue Grafton As the leaves drop and the temperatures follow, keeping up interest and excitement in getting outdoors...
10 Books to Celebrate Fall
Books are a great way to ring in a new season. In the fall, there's the added bonus of cuddling up with a blanket and a good book! Here's a list of some of our favorite autumn reads. Bring on the cozy! Look What I Did with a Leaf - Morteza E. SohiWe're Going On a Leaf...
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.
Maple Seed Dragonflies
Helicopters, whirlybirds, twisters, propellers, or whirligigs – whatever you call the seeds of the maple tree, they are a source of fun no matter your age. The scientific term for these flying wonders is samara. Find them abundantly littering the ground under a variety of trees in spring and fall.
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.”
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...