Mount Holyoke Range State Park
Steep trails climb a rare east-west traprock range of cliffs, forests, viewpoints, and ecological contrasts near Amherst.
Artwork inspired by George Loring Brown
Steep trails climb a rare east-west traprock range of cliffs, forests, viewpoints, and ecological contrasts near Amherst. The ridge changes the valley’s pattern. Volcanic bedrock, talus, dry summits, moist ravines, hawk movement, and the historic Halfway House reveal geology operating as habitat and travel corridor.
Choose Mount Norwottuck, Bare Mountain, or a shorter visitor-center route rather than treating the whole ridge as one hike. Carry a map and expect steep, rocky ascents. Cliff edges, rattlesnake habitat, ice, and hunting seasons require awareness. Stay on trail and never disturb basking wildlife. The valley panorama makes the unusual east-west ridge orientation unmistakable.
- Geology
- Jurassic traprock
- High point
- Mount Norwottuck
- Trail
- New England Trail corridor
Quick guide
- Pick one summit
- Rocky ridge miles accumulate slowly.
- Notice the rock
- Basalt drives soil, plants, and footing.
Know before you go
- Pick one summit
- Rocky ridge miles accumulate slowly.
- Notice the rock
- Basalt drives soil, plants, and footing.
- Look across the valley
- The east-west ridge interrupts a north-south plain.
- Budget the descent
- Loose rock remains demanding downhill.
Good to know
Cliff edges, rattlesnake habitat, ice, and hunting seasons require awareness. Stay on trail and never disturb basking wildlife.
Notice these
- Mount Norwottuck
- Horse Caves
- Bare Mountain views