From the Berkshire Mountains in the west to Boston and Cape Cod in the east, Massachusetts has plenty of great trails for outdoor recreation and adventure. In the state’s northwest corner, Mount Greylock rises to 3,491 feet in the Taconic Range, the highest point in Massachusetts and center to a host of outdoor activities, like camping at Sperry Road Campground or hiking to the mountain’s summit. There, day-hikers can join backpackers and long-distance hikers passing through on the Appalachian Trail, which winds along the Appalachian Mountains on the western edge of the state. Nearby, good mountain biking can be found in the Pittsfield State Forest, just west of Pittsfield, and the Northern and Southern Berkshires make a great destination for a scenic drive to see New England’s famous fall colors.
The Connecticut River Valley (also known as the Pioneer Valley) runs through central Massachusetts and the city of
Springfield. The river’s gentle flow from Vermont to Connecticut provides great paddling and canoeing opportunities, as does the giant Quabbin Reservoir nearby. Just to the east, Worcester provides a good base for outdoor exploration in the Wachusett Mountain State Reservation and at Mount Pisgah in the Northborough Conservation Lands right outside of town, both excellent areas for hiking. Boston dominates the Massachusetts Atlantic Coastline, a great base for a day or weekend trip to Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket Island, or even a romantic getaway to the spectacular Cape Cod National Seashore. But there is no need to venture so far outside the city for an escape; great sea kayaking is available in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, and the Blue Hills Reservation, popular for hiking, is only about 10 miles to the north.
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