Hampshire College Conservation Loop Trail

The Hampshire College Conservation Loop Trail is an easy 1.1 mile trail located in Hadley, Massachusetts. Nestled at the base of the Mount Holyoke Range, this 46-acre protected forest is owned by Hampshire College and the trails are open for the public to enjoy.

Route: Begin this 1-mile loop walk at the northeast end (upper left corner) of the cul-de- sac parking area where the trail leads into the woods. The old woods road follows a flat terrain. (Faded yellow blazes can occasionally be detected on trees and rocks on the trail.) Proceed forward at the intersection where “college trail” leads uphill and to the right (indicated by a small sign on a tree); on the left is a “Mt. Holyoke Range Location #143” sign posted on a tree. Continuing on the woods road, bear right at the fork. Soon the trail tapers to a footpath and goes uphill where a double-trunked white pine stands on the right. The trail declines gently and crosses a small creek. Go straight and soon come to an intersection where a “Mt. Holyoke Range Location #144” sign is posted. Before taking a sharp right, pause to view the opening ahead where a side trail leads to picnic tables by a small pool of water. As you take the sharp right turn and go up a short hill, the woods open up into a field. Notice the sumac stand and a wooded hill in the distance. Follow the footpath across the field. Before re-entering the woods you will see a young birch stand; pause at the edge of these two habitats. Proceed uphill, and go right at • the T-intersection. Ahead you come to the creek; cross over it on a small wooden • footbridge. Follow the meandering trail through the woods, and take a break to sit at a rough rock outcropping. Bear right where a side trail goes up to the left. You • will pass several ecological restoration signs before returning to the woods road where you began. Bear left and before long you are back at the parking area.

Partner: This trail was submitted by our partner, Kestrel Land Trust. Kestrel Land Trust partners with towns to create, conserve, and care for public lands to help everyone connect with nature. The conservation lands here are owned by Hampshire College and permanently conserved with a Conservation Restriction monitored by Kestrel.