Category: Adventures
At 3,491 feet, Mount Greylock is the highest mountain in Massachusetts. It is also a delightful destination if you’re looking for a short overnight backpacking adventure. There are several options for camping on Mount Greylock. Five backcountry shelters dot the flanks of the mountain, two of which are on the mountain’s western slopes. There’s […]
Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire. Basecamp for hikers seeking to climb mighty Mount Washington and once home to legendary AMC hutmaster, Joe Dodge. It’s a magical place teeming with natural beauty and boundless options for outdoor adventure. One epic, view-packed hike is the Boott Spur to Lion Head loop. This 8.3-mile, +3,900′ challenge-of-a-hike is known for its […]
Summer is here and we are all longing for long sunny days at the beach or for a relaxing dip in a refreshing New England brook. Instead of planning a hike to a scorching mountaintop, why not get a hold of some old inner tubes and just float down a lazy river on a weekend […]
I find myself swaying slowly as I scan various guidebooks and memoirs on the Appalachian Trail, taking mental notes. I came here, to my local bookstore in Baltimore, to look for suggested day hikes on the storied trail known as the AT. Although I’ve hiked some stretches of the trail in Maryland, as well as […]
During the 19th century, railroads crisscrossed America, connecting goods, provisions, and passengers to previously inaccessible parts of the country. Although railroads no longer dominate domestic travel, thousands of miles of old routes have found new life, repurposed as multiuse recreational paths for cyclists, pedestrians, and others. From Maine to New Jersey, the eight rail-trails below […]
In the last month, I’ve gone on two big hikes in the Great Gulf Wilderness. I’ve had this objective in mind for a bit: to start at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, hike north into the Wilderness Area, west and south to climb onto the shoulder of Mount Washington, summit, and come down via the […]
Let’s face it: Sometimes kids just don’t want to hike. They may be tired; the hill might be steep; the weather may be hot. Remember that, for kids, hiking can be hard work and downright unenjoyable if they feel like they’re on a forced march. On occasion, the kids. Will. Just. Stop. That’s when you […]
The following day hikes come from AMC’s Best Day Hikes Near New York City. For more information, check out the book. 1. CENTRAL PARK CENTRAL PARK NORTH CENTRAL PARK SOUTH Climb a summit boulder, take in the view over a reservoir, and walk through history and greenery in this crossing of one of the world’s […]
The following day hikes come from AMC’s Best Day Hikes Near Boston. For more information, check out the book. 1. ARNOLD ARBORETUM Paved roads and footpaths pass botanical collections and lead to scenic hilltops with long views to Boston and the Blue Hills. Location: Boston, MA (Jamaica Plain) Rating: Easy to Moderate Distance: 4.1 miles […]
The following day hikes come from AMC’s Best Day Hikes Along the Maine Coast. For more information, check out the book. 1. SPRING POINT SHOREWAY Walk this historical pathway along a spectacular stretch of Casco Bay that features beaches, forts, lighthouses, museums, and scenic island and harbor views. Location: South Portland, ME Rating: Easy Distance: […]
There’s something magical about frozen waterfalls. Streams that fed swimming holes only months before have become icy fortresses, with intricate layers paused midcascade, sharp spikes dangling from rocks and sparkling like chandeliers. In a word, mesmerizing. These six snowshoe and ski routes showcase some of the region’s finest frozen formations. 1. Jewell Falls | Portland, […]
Winter might make our daily commutes more challenging, but it also brings adventure much closer to home. A few inches of snow can turn your local park into an invigorating day hike. Grab your pack and your snowshoes; hop on the bus, the train, or maybe just stroll to the end of your block; and […]
The Appalachian Trail (AT) beckons every month of the year: Once the thru-hikers have completed their journeys and the day-hikers have dispersed, the winter warriors break out their snowshoes. These eight hikes on America’s most famous trail are even more spectacular when the powder begins to pile up. 1. Gulf Hagas | Piscataquis County, Maine […]
The Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail (“The Ammi”) is the quickest route up to the Lakes of the Clouds hut and a beautiful way to start a hike to the summit of Mt. Washington. Leaving from the west side of the mountain at the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trailhead, it is 3.1 miles to the hut and 4.5 miles […]
When I was growing up, my bedroom ceiling was adorned with plastic glow-in-the-dark stars, comets, and galaxies. Every night I’d lie in my bed and marvel at the constellations glowing above me––some invented, others favorites from the summer night sky: Cassiopeia, the queen; the Big and Little Dippers; Draco, the dragon. I’d seal off my […]
Tucked away in a little-visited high mountain valley on the Maine-New Hampshire border, Evans Notch is an outdoor paradise, with many great options for families with kids. From high peaks above treeline, to backcountry swimming holes, to multiple secluded campgrounds and even an AMC family camp, this area is ripe for exploration and adventure. The […]
View from Orange Mountain | photo by Steve Smith Searching for a day hike that’s easy to get to and serves up an “off-the-beaten-path” appeal? Often overshadowed by the classic and well-traveled paths of the White Mountains, the hiking trails of southern New Hampshire are a great option for day hikers looking for quiet trails. […]
The Mount Cardigan ski trails in Alexandria, NH are the unsung heroes of backcountry skiing here in the northeast which delivers some classic mountain runs that descend the east side of the Mount Cardigan summit ridge to the AMC’s Cardigan Lodge with a vertical drop of 1,750 feet. There are many different options for all […]
From powdery valley trails to snowfields overlooking the Atlantic, the Northeast has plenty of stunning— and varied—backcountry skiing options. Some were among the first routes skied in the region, cut by avid volunteers decades ago. Others are new finds, established within the last decade. The eight routes profiled here are just the beginning; for a […]
Winter can refresh your favorite hikes and entice you to new destinations. With snow covering the ground, the once familiar mountains and forests of summertime are transformed. Grab your snowshoes or skis and check out these easy winter hikes. Conners Nubble | Acadia National Park, Maine Like many of the peaks in Acadia, Conners Nubble’s […]