The Pocumtuck Ridge Trail at Mt Sugarloaf in Deerfield, Massachusetts is a strenuous 1.6 mile loop hike up the mountain and back to parking.
This trailhead is the southern most entrance to the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail that ends at Poet's Seat in Greenfield, MA. The trail is very popular, well maintained and marked with blue blazes. Almost immediately the trail starts its steep upward climb alternating between wooden steps and roots along a series of switchbacks. While the trail is well maintained and open it is very strenuous and provides a challenge with many roots and sandstone faces.
There are several small lookout points on your way to the summit offering views of the Connecticut River and the Holyoke Range to the south. At the summit there is an observation tower, several picnic tables, and a pavilion. From here the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail continues to the parking lot and along the eastern face of the mountain. The trail then dips down and meets with the Mt Sugarloaf trail to the left or you can continue straight/right on the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail toward North Sugarloaf and the continuation of the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail.
Parking: The trailhead is accessible from a parking area on Rt-116 at the base of Mt Sugarloaf and from the main parking lot at the entrance to Mt Sugarloaf. There are several small trail entrances by the parking area on Rt-116 - the western most trail head is recorded here and is the most direct connection to the trailhead.
This trailhead is the southern most entrance to the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail that ends at Poet's Seat in Greenfield, MA. The trail is very popular, well maintained and marked with blue blazes. Almost immediately the trail starts its steep upward climb alternating between wooden steps and roots along a series of switchbacks. While the trail is well maintained and open it is very strenuous and provides a challenge with many roots and sandstone faces.
There are several small lookout points on your way to the summit offering views of the Connecticut River and the Holyoke Range to the south. At the summit there is an observation tower, several picnic tables, and a pavilion. From here the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail continues to the parking lot and along the eastern face of the mountain. The trail then dips down and meets with the Mt Sugarloaf trail to the left or you can continue straight/right on the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail toward North Sugarloaf and the continuation of the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail.
Parking: The trailhead is accessible from a parking area on Rt-116 at the base of Mt Sugarloaf and from the main parking lot at the entrance to Mt Sugarloaf. There are several small trail entrances by the parking area on Rt-116 - the western most trail head is recorded here and is the most direct connection to the trailhead.
