Miles of hiking trails, paved and graveled mountain roads, and scenic overlooks whichever way you…read moreascend, this is a perfect spot for a quiet weekend getaway, Even on a Sunday morning around peak Autumn foliage you can find many scenic spots no else already found. This can be a quick drive kind of spot or a great morning hike as trails to beaver ponds, glacial erratics, and picnic tables are all within a short distance of the forest roads. The fire tower was out of commission for years but has happily been restored, and interpretive signs at the top show each visible peak including, Mt. Tom and Mt. Monadnock among them, on clear enough days. The only facilities are a port-o-let at the bottom of Soapstone Road, so plan accordingly if you don't want to make the ten minute trip back down to Ellington.

Great views, easy hike through the woods, or up the paved access road, or drive up if you prefer!…read more Awesome local option for some nice views. Tips: Bring lunch if the weather is nice, there are picnic tables everywhere. DON'T MISS THE TOWER. It was repaired (major overhaul) recently and reopened to the public. Can't see it from the end of the access road, but it's an incredibly short walk from there. Go up toward and around the chain fence.

Loved this trail- a perfect mix of up and down! At the end…read moreof the trail is the park- get a drink of water there, then turn around to walk back- several views worth seeing- watched the birds and enjoyed the nature!

Goat Rock is a fairly short climb but it is a steep one and you need to be extremely careful as a…read moreslip on this slope could be a big problem. As you ascend, there are a number of switch backs which aid in the steep ascent, you should be in fairly good shape before you attempt this particular climb. Once at the top, there is a beautiful view of the pioneer valley and the towns of Hampden, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow ,Springfield and parts of CT. The best time of the year to climb the mountain is in the Fall when the foliage is at its peak, it can breathe taking in its beauty.

A beautiful place to explore. If you have time take the trail all the way to the end.read more

This is a highly recommended walking/hiking trail right off Rt.21 outside of Ludlow traveling…read moreNorth. The area has a paved and unpaved portion of trail but hikers are asked only to use the paved section, there are many foot paths off the trail leading closer to the water if you wish to fish in season. The total round-trip hike is approximately 6.5 miles; it is a truly a beautiful seclude scenic spot surrounding the Reservoir; particularly interesting are the many boulders at the waters edge and throughout the whole walk evidence of earlier glacier activity. Regardless of the season this location affords you an opportunity to get away and enjoy natures solitude in a secluded pristine wooded environment.

Breathtaking views , just the signs are very confusing and you don't know where to turn or what to…read moresee where . They certainly need to work on that . It the views are amazing .

Honestly. Who rates a National wildlife refuge? Well here we are…read more Accessibility: Very easy to get to, substantial parking close to the trail, paths are mostly flat and clear, with a lot of boardwalks. Bugs: not too many, but they are concentrated in the areas that overlook the water/river. Highly recommend bug spray, but fast walking will also do the trick. Filled with winding paths, bridges, and overlooks, this wildlife refuge was just the refuge we needed from the city. It's a short circular route through a magnificent forest. There were informational stops along the way with inspirational black women in history and their stories. I had an absolutely wonderful time here and hope to be back soon!

Great, well maintained trail system. Lots of parking. Dogs allowed (on leashes) and clean-up and…read morecarry-out expected.

Very easy, well maintained trails. Great for families with young children. My favorite was the…read morefairy house creation area!

At the suggestion of a docent at the Notch visitor center, we drove up to the Mt. Holyoke Summit…read moreHouse (as we were too pooped and time-pressed to make the 4.5 mile hike on the Metacom trail and ascent). Although the drive up can be a little tight and curvy with hairpin curves and steep drop offs, once at the summit, it was gorgeous. Spectacular views of the Connecticut River and wonderful nooks and crannies and glades among the boulders and trees for tranquil picnics and just plain gazing. The Summit House itself was still closed for the season, but its veranda was open for viewing the scenery and had some useful maps pointing out geographical highlights (also convenient: its restrooms were open, so nice to be able to refresh oneself). There's also a somber memorial dedicated to a WW2 flight crew that lost their lives on the mountain top. Simply beautiful! I would suggest going midweek to avoid the crowds if possible as the roadway is quite narrow and parking could be limited.

I have a lot of experiences on this 78 (ish) mile trek. I've done it for leisure, done it for…read moretraining, helped others accomplish it...etc etc etc. I love hiking the east, but this is not at the top of my list. It was more of a Rhode Island resident bucket list. A good portion of the 'trail' is road (about 50% country roads). There is a great book to assist and give insightful info. However, unless you have a friend or library to lend it to you it's about 100$ lol At any rate, it is a fine walkabout to go from one point in RI to the next. My personal recommendation is to hike it North to South and dive in the ocean. Especially if you do it in the winter. Pure exhilaration! Happy trails and don't forget to sign the books at each end!

Rhode Island's North-South Trail (NST) is a 78-mile network of trails, roads, and dirt paths upon…read morewhich one can hike from the RI/MA border in Burrillville to the waves of the Atlantic Ocean in Charlestown. If you have the time and ability, this is a FANTASTIC way to explore the beauty our state has to offer. Through-hike it or break it into smaller segments over a series of trips... this is a trek that can be enjoyed by hikers with all levels of experience. In the 1990s, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the US National Park Service teamed up to make this trail a reality. I chose to traverse it from north to south so that I could end at Blue Shutters Beach and dip my feet in the ocean. This path meanders through lush forests and historic farmlands, past miles of stone walls and blue blazes, over boulder fields and numerous rivers, and offers a chance at connecting with a variety of wildlife including deer, turkeys, birds, cows, and so much more. This is a glimpse into not only what Rhode Island is today but what it once was. Old foundations, cemeteries, mill sites, barns and farm equipment pop up throughout. "The North South Trail" by Cliff Vanover is a fantastic resource if you are planning this hike. It is out of print but several of the RI Libraries have copies you can access. I completed the trail over 6 days and recruited friends and family to assist with car spots. It is possible to complete the trail in one go over shorter or longer periods of time. There are plentiful nearby campgrounds as staying on trail is not allowed. It is difficult to sum up my entire experience on-trail; I encourage you to immerse yourself in the outdoors and check out this path less travelled. It is well-maintained, easy to follow, and was absolutely beautiful this October with its abundant foliage. The sand dunes, sea grass, and blue crashing waves at the finality of my trek was a sight to be seen. Try it from south to north and hook up with the Midstate Trail in MA for a route all the way to NH!

Grand Trunk Trail is part of the Titanic Rail Trail and is approximately 9.7 miles from start to…read morefinish. The parking lot alogside Rt.20 is fairly large so you should always find adequate parking. This is a very beautifully well maintained manicured trail great for day hikes.

We love the trail. Wide, flat and beautiful nature everywhere. I wish dog walkers and horseback…read moreriders would pick up after their animals but the trail itself is great.