Publisher Description

Discover 50 of the most impressive trails in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts--home to the state's section of the Appalachian Trail, as well as plentiful glorious, under-the-radar routes--all doable in a day or less. Ideal for hikers of all skill levels, from families and nature lovers to advanced backpackers, this fully revised and updated third edition features hikes stretching from Mount Greylock south to Bash Bish Falls and includes ten entirely new trips. You'll find the state's most inspiring vistas, background on flora and fauna, and suggested locations for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Whether you're a local or a visitor looking for a short walk or a daylong adventure, this title from the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Northeast's most trusted resource for outdoor information, is your quintessential reference for hiking the beautiful Berkshires. Inside You'll Find: - 50 recommended hikes for all ability levels and seasons- Locator map and at-a-glance trip planner for easy trip selection- GPS coordinates for every trailhead and turn-by-turn directions for every hike- Detailed route map for every trip, showing parking areas, trails, and natural highlights- Summaries of time, distance, and difficulty level for each hike- Hiking and safety tips, including advice on what to carry in your pack- Essays on the nature and history of the region ALSO AVAILABLE: AMC's Best Day Hikes in Central Massachusetts: Four-Season Guide to 50 of the Best Trails, From the Pioneer Valley to the Worcester Hills, by John S. Burk ISBN-13: 978-1-62842-094-4 AMC's Best Day Hikes Near Boston: Four-Season Guide to 60 of the Best Trails in Eastern Massachusetts, Third Edition, by Michael Tougias, John S. Burk, and Alison O'Leary ISBN-13: 978-1-62842-042-5 AMC's Best Day Hikes in Vermont: Four-Season Guide to 60 of the Best Trails in the Green Mountain State, Second Edition, by Jen Lamphere Roberts ISBN-13: 978-1-62842-078-4 AMC's Best Day Hikes in Connecticut: Four-Season Guide to 50 of the Best Trails, from the Highlands to the Coast, Third Edition, by René Laubach and Charles W. G. Smith ISBN-13: 978-1-62842-070-8 Massachusetts Trail Guide: AMC's Comprehensive Guide to Hiking Trails in Massachusetts featuring the Appalachian Trail and the Berkshires, Tenth Edition, John S. Burk ISBN-13: 978-1-628420-20-3

Author Biography

John S. Burk is an outdoor writer, photographer, and historian from central Massachusetts. His other books include AMC's Massachusetts Trail Guide and Best Days Hikes in Central Massachusetts.René Laubach retired in 2014 from Mass Audubon's Berkshire Wildlife Sanctuaries, which he directed for nearly 30 years. He is also co-author of AMC's Best Day Hikes in Connecticut, 2e, has written seven books on natural history, and has written for AMC Outdoors, Audubon, Sanctuary, and many other publications.

Table of Contents

CONTENTSLocator MapAt-a-Glance Trip PlannerAcknowledgmentsIntroductionHow to Use This BookTrip Planning and SafetyLeave No Trace Section 1: Maryland1. Patuxent River State Park2. Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary3. Calvert Cliffs State Park4. Cedarville State Forest5. American Chestnut Lands Trust6. Seneca Creek State Park--Clopper Lake 7. McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area8. Watkins Regional Park (Wetland Trail and Old Maryland Farm Path)9. Cosca Regional Park (Lake Trail)10. Patuxent Research Refuge (South Tract: Loop, Goose Pond, and Cash Lake Trails)11. Piscataway National Park--Accokeek Foundation12. Greenbelt Park13. Lake Artemesia and the Northeast Branch Trail14. Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls State Park15. Antietam National Battlefield 16. Sugarloaf Mountain17. Black Hill Regional Park 18. Matthew Henson Trail19. Capital Crescent Trail (Elm Street Park, Bethesda to Aqueduct Arch, Georgetown)20. Billy Goat Trail at Great Falls21. Woodstock Equestrian Park (Straight Shot Trail and Field's Edge Loop)22. Little Bennett Regional Park23. Patapsco Valley State Park24. Greenwell State Park Section 2: Washington, D.C.25. Theodore Roosevelt Island and Potomac Heritage Trail26. Potomac River: Georgetown to Lincoln Memorial27. National Arboretum28. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens 29. Rock Creek Park30. Around Georgetown31. East Potomac Park and Hains Point32. The National Mall Section 3: Virginia33. Prince William Forest Park34. Sky Meadows State Park35. Mason Neck State Park36. Leesylvania State Park37. Bull Run Mountains Natural Area38. G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area39. Riverbend Park and Great Falls Park 40. Huntley Meadows Park41. Fraser Preserve (Blue Trail) 42. Wildcat Mountain Natural Area 43. Washington & Old Dominion Trail and Cross Country Trail 44. Bull Run (Occoquan Trail)45. Scotts Run Nature Preserve46. Mount Vernon Trail--Fort Hunt Park to Mount Vernon47. Old Rag48. Harpers Ferry to Maryland Heights 49. Manassas National Battlefield Park50. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Nature and History EssaysAn American Success Story: Saving the Bald EagleA Story to Tell: The Piscataway PeopleAs Well As Any Man: Matthew Henson and the Race to the North PoleCenturies of Perseverance: The Chesapeake & Ohio CanalPeace and Long Life: Spirit within a TreeWashington's Sakura--and Those Who've Loved ThemWhat's in a Name: Mr. Smithson's LegacyUnder Cover: Spies in the ParksFar Away in Time: The Geology of Great FallsBeavers at WorkRoosevelt's Tree Army: The Civilian Conservation CorpsJohn Brown and the Assault on Harpers Ferry "Firsts" of the First Battle of Manassas AppendixFurther Reading IndexAbout the AuthorsAppalachian Mountain ClubThe AMC Washington, D.C. ChapterAMC Books Updates

Long Description

Discover 50 of the most impressive trails in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts--home to the state's section of the Appalachian Trail, as well as plentiful glorious, under-the-radar routes--all doable in a day or less. Ideal for hikers of all skill levels, from families and nature lovers to advanced backpackers, this fully revised and updated third edition features hikes stretching from Mount Greylock south to Bash Bish Falls and includes ten entirely new trips. You'll find the state's most inspiring vistas, background on flora and fauna, and suggested locations for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Whether you're a local or a visitor looking for a short walk or a daylong adventure, this title from the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Northeast's most trusted resource for outdoor information, is your quintessential reference for hiking the beautiful Berkshires. Inside You'll Find: * 50 recommended hikes for all ability levels and seasons* Locator map and at-a-glance trip planner for easy trip selection* GPS coordinates for every trailhead and turn-by-turn directions for every hike* Detailed route map for every trip, showing parking areas, trails, and natural highlights* Summaries of time, distance, and difficulty level for each hike* Hiking and safety tips, including advice on what to carry in your pack* Essays on the nature and history of the regionALSO AVAILABLE: AMC's Best Day Hikes in Central Massachusetts: Four-Season Guide to 50 of the Best Trails, From the Pioneer Valley to the Worcester Hills, by John S. Burk ISBN-13: 978-1-62842-094-4 AMC's Best Day Hikes Near Boston: Four-Season Guide to 60 of the Best Trails in Eastern Massachusetts, Third Edition, by Michael Tougias, John S. Burk, and Alison O'Leary ISBN-13: 978-1-62842-042-5 AMC's Best Day Hikes in Vermont: Four-Season Guide to 60 of the Best Trails in the Green Mountain State, Second Edition, by Jen Lamphere Roberts ISBN-13: 978-1-62842-078-4 AMC's Best Day Hikes in Connecticut: Four-Season Guide to 50 of the Best Trails, from the Highlands to the Coast, Third Edition, by Ren

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