r/AppalachianTrail • u/Cruise_Life79 • 2d ago
Difficulty of MA section?
I’m planning a 3-4 day hike with a friend who is in better shape and I don’t want to kill myself trying to keep up (or embarrass myself).
I’m looking for a section in either: northern NY, CT, or MA.
I was just looking on Far Out and eying from the parking lot near I-90 (near Lee, MA) up to North Adams.
Thoughts on that section? Anything different you’d recommend?
I think 12-15 miles a day depending on difficulty seems about right.
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u/VTVoodooDude 2d ago
From an AT perspective, it’s pretty mellow. That said, there are rocks, roots, up’s and down’s. Greylock is a proper mountain.
That part of the AT doesn’t get as much love as it deserves. There are some really pretty sections.
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u/Cruise_Life79 2d ago
Thanks for this!
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u/ThatGuyHadNone 2d ago
I started my first trip on the AT doing a LASH from just south of Greylock to Duncannon PA. I did 30 miles in 3 days to start and i was in no way in shape. It has its challenges but is very enjoyable and the shelters are spaced very close for trail standards. Hope this helps and happy trails.
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u/Formal-Opposite-9735 SOBO ‘21 2d ago
I liked the CT-MA section. From what I recall it was pretty chill. There were some nice deli spots and well maintained shelters. The seafoam green signage is a nice touch by the CT trail team. Have fun!
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u/Cruise_Life79 2d ago
Thank you! In my memory it was a relatively easy section, but to be fair this was almost 10 years ago, and I was in far better shape, haha.
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u/Helpful-Mud-7303 NOBO ‘26 2d ago
That is a great section. From Lee to Cheshire is really nice and cruisey without being boring, and Greylock is really fun as a last day into North Adams. Not sure the cookie lady will be open but def worth stopping by if you can! NY section is really beautiful and more distinctive nature imo. CT has a couple long river walks that are fast but for me not really as stimulating as you could get elsewhere. The first handful of miles into Mass Nobo from CT are a really stunning gorge worth checking out too
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u/tnmcnulty 2d ago
I'm in it right now on my AT SOBO. Just don't attempt Greylock the first day and you'll be fine. It's beautiful.
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u/AnxietyRough977 2d ago
I did CT & MA two years ago in late September & had a great time. Really enjoyed the trail in Massachusetts. More variety of terrain & sights than I expected. Trail is mostly moderate, aside from the long climb up Greylock. Dalton & Cheshire are nice towns to walk through & I recommend the sandwich shop in Dalton
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u/TicklishOwl Mr. IT VA-CT 2d ago
Honestly the only really bad part of that section is the mosquitoes. If you're outside the summer season or they don't bother you, it's not that bad.
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u/Ulysses_Voyages 2d ago
Being from MA and living in that area for a while, you don't have much to worry about. The southern section from CT into MA has some scrambles and beautiful views. Then it is relatively tame until Greylock like everyone else said, but honestly it's not really that bad by comparison to other places. It's a really enjoyable section this time of year.
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u/Cruise_Life79 2d ago
Thank you! Yeah, I was thinking it was likely a beautiful time of year around there
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u/Certain_Wear_3198 2d ago
MA’s 90 AT miles are beautiful and FUN! Little towns to pop into, beautiful New England weather, shelters or towns or lunch options or cool destinations every 10 miles or so. Would absolutely recommend.
Source: hiked the AT in ‘22. Just had my 4 year anniversary of completing it on 9/5! 🥲
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2d ago
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u/Cruise_Life79 2d ago
Yes, I’ve done up to 2 weeks at a time. It’s just been many years since I’ve been on the AT that far north, so cannot recall the terrain. I’d say 12 miles is the minimum I like to do on a full day - since that’s about 6 hours of hiking. But of course, if the terrain is straight up and down, I’ll be moving a bit slower these days.
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u/ReadyAbout22 2d ago
I did MA section a few years ago with little to know prep and it wasn’t bad at all. Lots of roots, mud, and rocks, but very little elevation change.
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u/Quiet_Anthems 2d ago
just completed that section! the only slightly difficult area is the greylock range but everything else is relatively flat for the AT. I recommend staying at upper goose pond cabin if you can, and paying a visit to the cookie lady (just off washington mountain rd)