Holyoke Range by Carmen Mickelson ‘24
By Cayley Delancey ’22
Staff Writer
Last week, Mount Holyoke News published an article highlighting eight activities to do in the Pioneer Valley during the winter. This list featured hikes in the Holyoke Range from the Notch Visitor Center. Here are some hikes that the Holyoke Range, just a 10 minute drive from campus, has to offer.
Many hikes in the Holyoke range start at the Notch Visitor Center, which is accessible from the PVTA 38 at the Notch bus stop. There is also a parking lot if you choose to drive. Parking fills up early on weekends, so make sure to plan ahead. The Notch features a variety of trails ranging in difficulty that meet most levels of ability and preference. In-depth information about all the trails can be found on AllTrails or the Mass.gov website.
Bare Mountain is a popular hike, beginning from across the street from the Visitor Center. This one-mile round trip trail is short, albeit steep and rocky. At the top of Bare Mountain, rocky ledges afford beautiful views of neighboring Mount Norwottuck, as well as the Hampshire College and University of Massachusetts Amherst campuses. Jocelyn Greer ’23 said, “Bare Mountain is my favorite hike because it’s the first one I did in the area and it has a great view of the sunset.” Bare Mountain is also popular for sunrise views, and the Mount Holyoke Outing Club regularly leads sunrise hikes there on weekends that you can register for on Embark.
If you’re looking for something longer and more challenging, you can continue on from Bare Mountain’s peak and do the Seven Sisters hike. Zoe Alberici ’22 highly recommends it, saying, “it’s a great length if you’re looking to do some longer hikes, and you get to summit multiple peaks.” This hike is roughly 5.1 miles one way, starting from the Notch Visitor Center and crossing each of the Seven Sister peaks of the Holyoke Range to end at Mount Holyoke mountain. This trail includes steep and rocky sections with multiple ascents and descents. The hike can either end at the Summit House on Mount Holyoke, where you can arrange for pickup at the parking lot, or you can hike back the way you came, returning to the Notch Visitor Center for a total of about 10 miles round trip.
If you’re looking for something in between Bare Mountain and the Seven Sisters in difficulty and length, try Mount Norwottuck. The trail is about 3.5 miles round trip, and features views towards the town of Amherst and geological structures known as the “Horse Caves.”
The Horse Caves are Hope Rogers’ ’22 favorite part of the Holyoke Range “because it’s a fun destination to arrive at and there are multiple ways to end up there.” Mount Norwottuck features some steeper grades, but is overall a more gradual hike compared to Bare Mountain and the Seven Sisters. The trail can be a bit confusing to follow from the summit of Mount Norwottuck to the Horse Caves, so make sure to bring a map, which you can pick up at the Notch Visitor Center, and use your phone’s GPS.
If you have access to a car, any day can be Mountain Day. You can go to Skinner State Park and the summit of Mount Holyoke either by driving or walking the road, or by hopping on a steep but short trail. The Summit House is a popular location for bird watching throughout the year, and also a nice place to have a picnic in warmer weather. Cap it off with a trip to Barstow’s Ice Cream; a two minute drive from the trailhead, Flayvors of Cook Farm; a nine minute drive from the trailhead or Maple Valley Creamery; a 10 minute drive from the trailhead, for a sweet treat at the end of your hike.
You can also access the Holyoke range from Hampshire College. These trails start from across Bay Street from Hampshire College and range from strolls along level and well-groomed trails to steeper trails that connect back up to the Notch Visitor Center. One highlight is the Hadley Reservoir, a short walk from Bay Street, which may require use of a GPS. While it’s technically a no-swim zone, it’s a nice spot to sit by in warmer weather. Whether you’re a seasoned mountain biker or just getting started, you can hop onto the trail system here for trails ranging from easy to challenging. Just be sure to bike safely and make space for sharing the trail with hikers.
If you want to get outside but are lacking the equipment to do so, such as hiking boots or microspikes for ice, stop by the Mount Holyoke Outing Club office in Blanchard Hall during office hours to borrow gear. Gear rental is free and always available to help you get outside.