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Noble View provides recreational opportunities for the
entire family. In addition to hiking on 34 miles of trails on Noble View’s
358.5 acres and the surrounding land, Noble View offers:
- Orienteering
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Downhill skiing (Blandford Ski Area, nearby)
- Snow sledding
- Canoeing, kayaking, fishing (on nearby rivers, lakes, and ponds)
- Backpacking
- Country road bicycling
- Bird watching
- Nature study
- Swimming (at nearby Russell Pond)
The Appalachian Trail, Metacomet-Monadnock Trail, and Connecticut’s
Tunxis Trail area all a short drive away, as are the Berkshire’s many cultural
attractions.
Maps
Download our trail map,
created by Larry Garland, AMC's cartographer.
(Cautionary note:
trails have not yet been blazed in the colors indicated on the map. The
intersection numbers are posted by numbers marked on white tape, affixed
to trees with yellow rope. Work to complete permanent intersection numbers,
new signage, and colored trail blazing is ongoing.)
We also have two USGS topographic maps, the first of Noble View and surrounding property, the second
showing protected lands in the Lower Westfield
River Watershed (be warned: the latter is a very large file, and may take
some time to download).
Suggested
Walks
Below are links to descriptions of several wonderful walks,
but your review of the map will reveal many other opportunities.
When leaving the vicinity of the buildings at Noble View,
in almost any direction, you will be going downhill, sometimes on steep grades--which
means that to return, you will have to climb uphill. If you question your
capacity for uphill walking, don't go too far downhill before turning back.
Trail
Work Days
We hold trail maintenance work days from time to time.
We meet at the Tool Shed at 9:00am, and usually work for several hours. Volunteers
are always welcome, especially new and prospective AMC members! See the News and Events page for upcoming work days.
Trail work at Noble View is a great opportunity to meet other Berkshire
Chapter members, and to feel good while doing good. No experience is necessary,
and you don’t need to bring tools. All you need is water, sturdy boots and
gloves, lunch/snacks, and clothing appropriate to the weather.
Swimming is available at nearby Russell Pond. Swimming
passes and parking passes are required. A lifeguard is on duty during the
summer swimming season.
The beach is located 1.7 miles from Noble View. Go through the gate and
turn right. At the end of South Quarter Road, turn left. Russell Pond is
one-half mile on the left. The road on the left just past the pond is marked
with a sign that says Boy Scout Reservation. Turn left there. The town beach
is located at the fenced-in area.
Swimming and parking passes are kept in the Farmhouse, just outside the
door on the left in a locked cabinet (your gate key will open the cabinet).
Passes must be displayed on your dashboard in order for you to park at and
use the town beach. Noble View is not responsible for parking tickets.
Only a limited number of passes are available. Please return the passes
promptly so they can be available for other guests.
Parking at the beach is very limited. Please car pool where possible.
A lifeguard is on duty from June 26 through September 5, from 11:00 am
until 6:00pm. The beach can be used at other times at your own risk, as long
as beach and parking permits are displayed.
HIKE SAFE--THE HIKER RESPONSIBILITY CODE
We strongly encourage everyone who participates in outdoor
recreation to take responsibility for themselves, to plan ahead, and to be
prepared for the unexpected.
The Hiker Responsibility
Code was developed and is endorsed by the White Mountain National
Forest and New Hampshire Fish and Game. See hikeSafe’s website for excellent planning
and safety information. Although conditions in the White Mountains differ
from those in Western Massachusetts, the Hiker Responsibility Code establishes
an excellent standard for hiker safety.
You are responsible for yourself,
so be prepared:
1. With knowledge and gear.
Become self reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather
and your equipment before you start.
2. To leave your plans. Tell
someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you will return
and your emergency plans.
3. To stay together. When
you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to
the slowest person.
4. To turn back. Weather
changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also
affect your hike. Know your limitations and when to postpone your hike. The
mountains will be there another day.
5. For emergencies. Even
if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong
turn could become life threatening. Don’t assume you will be rescued; know
how to rescue yourself.
6. To share the hiker code with
others.
For full safety information, including
emergency instructions and contact information for local hospitals and fire
departments, see the Safety page.
PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF THE LAND
Much of the Noble View trail system is outside the boundaries
of AMC-owned property. The usual consideration for property of others should
be shown when hiking these trails, and the rule of “Carry In, Carry Out” should
be rigorously observed.
In accordance with Leave No Trace practices, when you reach muddy places
in the trail, we ask that you trudge through the mud, rather than widening
the trail by walking on its shoulder. Please practice Leave No Trace principles on and off the Noble
View property.
Our respectful use of our neighbors’ land is very important, as is providing
our neighbors with any information possible about the disrespectful use of
their land by others. Contact the Noble View Chair,
Rob Robertson, to report any damaging or disrespectful use of the trails and
properties you walk through, or any problems such as wet places or trees down
across the trails. Be prepared to provide precise locations, so we can address
the problems or provide accurate information to the property owners.
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