metacomet-monadnock trail

I've hiked this trail between Amythest Brook and Leverett. Beautiful ridge views, not heavily used, and clearly marked.

We hiked the M-M trail from the Notch Visitors Center on rt 116 east to Horse Caves. The trail takes you over mount Norwottuck which is the tallest peak in the Holyoke Range at 1101 ft. At the top of the mountain there are two very nice vistas.Narrow, fun scrambles down get you to the caves. There are many nooks to explore and a lot of narrow scrambles.Hiking on a weekday we didn't encounter many other people. We did hear a lot of wildlife that I believe to be deer but they were out of sightIt was well worth the effort and someplace I would return to.

I hiked parts of this trail years ago with some kids ages 10 and 12, and just recently visited again with my 11-year old niece. All three enjoyed it thoroughly, and so did I. The trail is challenging enough if you want to make a full day of it that you can, but within a relatively short (30-45 minutes) but steep hike West from the Notch visitor's center on Route 116, you can reach the top of Bare Mountain with some great views to the North and East. Go another 30-45 minutes and you get to a nice lookout on Hitchcock Mountain. If you're feeling up to something longer, keep going to the lookout center over the Connecticut river (about 5 miles from the visitor's center). Yes, you either need to make arrangement for pick-up at the other end, or do a round trip, but just plan for it. The first section is a little more crowded because it's so accessible, but we ran into relatively few hikers the further we went. If you haven't hiked a lot, be sure to watch for the white blazes that mark the trails, and the double blazes that signify a sharp turn or intersection. If you go past Bare Mountain for example, there are some pipes marked with blazes. Be sure to stop at the Notch for a trail map (which shows the trails going East as well), and stop at Atkins farm just a half mile North after your hike for ice cream, cider donuts, or both.

The entry point we used, to what is only a section of a long distance trail, was the Notch Visitor Center on route 116 south of Amherst. Trail maps were available there. The section east from the visitor center to the Horse Caves via Mt Norwottuck is fairly challenging in August heat, humidity and bug attacks. In August the view from Mt Norwottuck is probably always going to be slightly misty. I would suspect that it would be much more enjoyable in Autumn cooler with fall colours. (for hot summer months there are many more enjoyable trails on the flat near Amherst)

This trail, most of it quite easy, runs through the Mt. Tom reservation and hte Holyoke Range. It's beautiful most times of the year, and the ridge views are fantastic. Be careful after snow as it can be icy and slippery underneath, and there are some steep drops along the trail in places.

What is good for day hikes isn't necessarily good for thru hiking. I did Mass Sections 1 thru 7 in July 2013 in the extreme heat and noted the following: The guide book itself was accurate as were the blazes, but there is vitually no water on the trail - I obtained it from convienience stores and people at highway crossings. While there are several State Parks en route, NONE allowed overnight camping. My stealth campsites had a lot of mosquitos. The biggest disappointment, having hitched a boat ride across the Connecticut River, was NO TRAIL on the other side. The first half mile hasn't been maintained or marked for many years!

My husband and I walk this trail (or parts of it) quite often. The trail is well maintained and the scenery varied. It's rarely crowded, and people on the trail tend to be friendly.

Great place for a hike. Saw a great many birds and some small wildlife. Great place to take kids, to explore the outdoors

I visit the trail since 2003 and it is absolutely a great place to go! it is family fun, a great place for a friends getaway, an absolutely must-go in the Amherst area.

Even if you're not as fit as you'd like, the trail is do-able with some steep and less steep parts leading to overlooks at the tops of mountains. The trails are not messy or over-populated, although they are popular with locals.

great area to hike with the pooch, trails well marked and different terrain makes for a great hike.. mostly stay on the Robert Frost part near long mountatin which has 2 steep inclines but they are worth it

I have spent a lot of time in and around the local part of this trail. Mt. Tom Reservation is one of my favorite places to walk. ts presence gives a wonderful wild presence to Holyoke, MA. I've also climbed up Mt. Monadnock at its terminus a few times. A nice day trip, and the 360 degree views from the summit are spectacular. Tends to be windy up there, so plan accordingly. Also, at least one of the trails is considerably more challenging than the others. I think the one at the main entrance may be the most manageable.

Lots of different areas to access some great trails. Crosses several hill tops for spectacular views and great wildlife observation. Great day hikes.

I have walked many portions of this trail. There is so much diversity in scenery! It's one of the highlights of living in the "happy valley" (Amherst and Northampton).